ROFFER’S OCEAN FISHING FORECASTING SERVICE, INC.
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ROFFS™ SPECIAL OCEANOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES, EASTERN GULF OF MEXICO AND THE BAHAMAS
UPDATED ON THURS. 19 DECEMBER 2013
This is a special analysis to showcase the beautiful ocean conditions that are occurring in the southeastern United States, eastern Gulf of Mexico and the Bahamas. We used infrared sea surface temperature (sst) imagery data from December 18-19, 2013, along with NASA Aqua MODIS ocean color/chlorophyll + CDOM imagery from December 17-18, 2013.
Note the difference in cloud cover between the infrared sst image and the ocean color image. Due to the availability of a higher amount of infrared sst images (16 out of a possible 30 images were used) than ocean color images (2 out of a possible 6 images were used) for similar time periods, we are able to remove a greater amount of cloud cover in the infrared sst image. Particularly eye catching are the warmer (more red) Gulf Stream temperatures in comparison to the surrounding waters.
Comparing the infrared sst and the ocean color images side-by-side highlights the following features that we find interesting. In the eastern Gulf of Mexico, the Loop Current is in a southern position, not even reaching as high as Cape Romano / Naples. A warm, blue water filament from the Loop Current extends northwards from the Florida Keys to Apalachicola Bay (read more at https://roffs.com/2013/12/december-2013-warm-water-remains-eastern-gulf-mexico/). South of the Florida Keys, two relatively large, blue water Gulf Stream eddies and filaments are visible.
Between Jupiter, FL and Charleston, SC, numerous small blue green to blended blue Gulf Stream eddies are flowing northwards along the western boundary of the Gulf Stream. Similar but relatively larger blue green to blended blue Gulf Stream eddies and filaments are present between Cape Fear and Cape Hatteras, NC. East of Jacksonville, FL, the circulation of these Gulf Stream eddies, as well as wind, have pulled/pushed green coastal water offshore and into the Gulf Stream. Also of interest is the water circulation on the east side of the Gulf Stream. Note the distinct eastern boundary of the Gulf Stream from Cape Fear to Cape Hatteras, NC. Turbid green water is present along the east coast, particularly from Cape Canaveral, FL to Georgetown, SC, as well as off Cape Fear and Cape Lookout, NC. This turbid green water is also seen along the coastal areas of West Florida. Strong wind mixing and fresh water influx in the coastal zone has likely caused these turbid waters. Recent wind events have also contributed to the turbidity of the water.
In the Bahamas, bluer water is visible to the north and east of Abaco, even though clouds interfere with our view. This is the “Bahama blue marlin and yellowfin tuna water” that we’ve discussed in the Teaser Magazine as well as in articles on our website (read more at https://roffs.com/2013/05/the-path-of-blue-marlin-and-yellowfin-tuna-can-be-seen-now-in-the-bahamas/). To watch an earlier QuickTime movie of the Gulf Stream and Bahamas Circulation (May 07-16, 2013), follow this link: https://roffs.com/2013/05/new-quicktime-movie-showing-the-last-10-days-of-the-gulf-stream-and-bahamas-circulation/.
Although we are sure that you will find many other interesting ocean features in these images, time and space prevent us from going into more detail. However, it is easy to see what can be gained from looking at both sst and ocean color images, as different types of imagery provide different types of information.
Please note: Our usual fishing forecasting analyses contain water mass boundary traces with associated sst, water color and water direction, as well as highlighted hot spot dots to direct your fishing effort to the most favorable fishing conditions (with numbers inside of the dots to indicate the number of consecutive days that we have seen favorable conditions in that location). These are not included in these special analyses due to their broad scale. To view samples of our fishing forecasting analysis, follow this link and click through to your preferred area’s ‘Download Analysis Sample (PDF)’ button: https://roffs.com/select-analysis/south/
Reminder: ROFFS™ sells gift certificates (for analyses). It is like giving someone the gift of fishing action. Catch your dream fish with ROFFS™. Click on ROFFS™ website link (https://roffs.com/) to send us an email for more information or call us at 800.677.7633 to order today!
ROFFS™ winter hours: Mon.-Fri. 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday CLOSED. Have a happy holiday season, and a healthy and successful New Year. ROFFS™ will be closed December 25, 2013 and January 01, 2014. Remember you can order and/or purchase your fishing analyses from our website https://roffs.com/ and click on Order Analyses button) or by email.
