Atlantic Gulf Stream

The Atlantic Gulf Stream is actually just a single river of warm water that circulates the entire Atlantic Ocean as a part of our complicated world of ocean currents. This particular current warms itself as it flows towards the equator and then continues to circulate north along the US east coast while supporting a diverse population of warm water loving pelagic ecosystem. The water in the Gulf Stream is distinctly different from the coastal water in several ways. The Gulf Stream's water is much warmer as it passes our coast and due to its warmth, high salinity, and rapid evaporation the water takes on a very clear deep blue coloration.         

This isn't a science lesson! So let's talk about fishing. The Gulf Stream's warm waters and currents have become a watery transportation system for many species of fish. Big fish, small fish, and even ocean mammals constantly use this current as an enabler for a complete ecosystem and also as a method to stay in water temperatures that are the most comfortable for their particular species. This knowledge helps gives charter boat anglers a distinct advantage.     

When a good charter captain knows from experience that a particular species will always prefer to remain within a specific range of water temperatures, he is able to use his electronics to find and fish those predictable areas. Nearly all of today's Hatteras charter boats are equipped with a high quality fish finder and water temperature instrumentation. Couple this with that fact that there are also several places online that provide satellite shots daily which show the exact water temperatures and by using several days of these shots in a row, a captain can predict where the next day's best action is most likely going to be happening.  

Keeping track of water temperatures has another bonus. As I said, the Gulf Stream is a constantly moving current.  This current is always colliding and mixing with other ocean currents like the southern flowing Labrador Current. This mixing and movement often causes the warm Gulf Stream water to break off from the main current in the form of eddies which independently shoot off towards the beach. If a species is trapped in their preferred water temperature and the eddy is completely surrounded by much colder coastal water the result is that the warm section of water acts like a giant natural fish pen. Watching the satellite pictures daily allows captains to know where to begin their search for these fish pen habitats and it can be a fishing bonanza.

Another unique aspect of the Gulf Stream is result of the Sargasso Sea. The center of the Atlantic is named the Sargasso Sea because the ocean's currents flow around huge pockets of free floating seaweed that is called Sargassum Weed. This orange colored weed looks like it is dead but in reality each Sargassum community is a free floating ecosystem providing a myriad of life that goes all the way on up the food chain. Constantly these floating marine communities are getting sucked into the Gulf Stream's currents and become feeding stations for pelagic predators. While you are offshore fishing it is hard to keep from getting excited as your lines come close to one of these weed lines.   

Your Invitation To Opportunity: The Gulf Stream and its edges are an amazing work of nature that is worth the price of a charter just to say that you have been there and seen it. The marine and avian creatures that abound both in and around the Gulf Stream are usually only ever seen by people watching the Discovery Channel. You will have the opportunity during your charter to soak it all in and actually interact with one of most impressive places on this planet! We would love to have the chance to share all this with you on your next trip to the Outer Banks of NC and aboard the Four Reel.