ROFFER'S OCEAN FISHING FORECASTING SERVICE, INC.
TOLL FREE 800.677.7633 & (321) 723-5759 // 24 HR FAX (321) 723-6134//fish7@ROFFS.COM
ROFFS™ FISHERIES OCEANOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
FOR OCEAN CITY WHITE MARLIN OPEN
UPDATED ON SUN. 02 AUG. 2009 FOR SUN. P.M. & MON. FISHING ONLY
We are providing this regional scale overall oceanographic analysis for our clients that had the foresight to
order both of our analysis areas or have subscribed to our cost effective Unlimited Analysis Plans. We thank
you for your support. For the color email we are providing the enhanced infrared satellite image for sea surface
temperature (sst) and ocean frontal analysis and the ocean color satellite image for ocean color, turbidity and
index of plankton – colorized dissolved organic matter. These were derived from satellite data the last three
days to help eliminate most of the clouds that have been moving rapidly through this area. The data are
derived from the United States (NOAA, Terra, Aqua) and European (MetOp and Envisat) satellites. For those
receiving this via fax we have only provided the ocean frontal and circulation analysis derived from the infrared
(sst) data.
The two ocean features dominating the ocean currents in this region are the Gulf Stream and the
clockwise rotating eddy (southeast of Long Island, NY) centered approximately near 71°15’W & 39°15’N. This
is an egg-shaped eddy which has been shedding bands of blue water faster than the usual eddy of it size.
This is due in part to the unstable/unbalanced circulation as a result of interactions with the Gulf Stream and
another similar sized eddy east of it (not shown). Other than the blue Gulf Stream water over the 100 fathom
curve between the Toms Canyon and the Hudson Canyon, there is no concentrated Gulf Stream water over
the 100 fathom curve in this region. There are water masses with a mixture of Gulf Stream blue water and
coastal water, commonly called “blended blue water”, over the offshore areas from Carteret Canyon to the
Washington Canyon. The filament of blue water between the Spencer Canyon and the Wilmington Canyon is
bluer and clearer than the rest of this water. This blue water filament was pushed westward from the eddy a
week ago and has rapidly moved in a southwestward direction all week even though there was 15-20 mph
winds from the southwest and a northeastward pull by the eddy. In addition there is a counter-clockwise flow of
the water south of it. However, this water continues to move in a southwest direction. This blue water is
expected to give a pulse of fishing action over the Wilmington Canyon the next few days.
The northern boundary of Gulf Stream water that has been pulled northward by a counter-clockwise
rotating eddy east of Oregon Inlet is over the 1500 fathom depths of the Norfolk Canyon. It remains to be seen
if this eddy (centered near 74°15’W & 35°45’N) will move northward or northeastward. If the eddy moves more
northward it will bring more Gulf Stream water toward the Norfolk Canyon that presently is covered by turbid
green water.
The winds from the southwest continue to push green turbid water in an east – northeastward direction
which is unfavorable for good fishing action to develop. The result is likely to be that the coastal green and
blue-green water will move northeastward. It remains to be seen where the boundary of the coastal blue-green
and the blue water will form between the Baltimore Canyon and Wilmington Canyon areas. Once stabilized this
boundary is likely to provide good fishing action as long as the conditions remain relatively stationary.
Good luck and we will provide another of these analyses when the conditions permit and when it is
appropriate to do so. Safe and successful fishing.
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VERBAL UPDATES. WE WILL KEEP YOUR INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL AS WE HAVE FOR
THE LAST 22 YEARS. Thank you for not sharing this analysis with non-paying fishermen. We survive
on your honesty.