Canyon water hits 67 degrees as yellowfin and mahi push into Spencer Canyon

The southern canyons are finally lighting up. Water temps hit 67 degrees across the shelf this week — that's the magic number that flips the switch on early-season yellowfin and mahi activity. Spencer Canyon has been the star performer, with boats pulling decent yellowfin in the 30-to-50-pound class on cedar plugs and spreader bars in 200 to 400 feet of water.

I ran Spencer Tuesday and found the temperature break stacked up beautifully along the 100-fathom curve. Surface temps jumped from 65 degrees on the shelf to 69 degrees in the canyon proper — that 4-degree gradient is what concentrates bait and triggers the bite. The yellowfin were relating to floating sargassum mats on the eastern wall, hitting ballyhoo on the long rigger and small cedar plugs on the short corners. Best action came between 0630 and 0900, then again around 1500 when the sun angle changed.

Lindenkohl Canyon has been more hit-or-miss, but the boats that found the right water pulled some quality fish. The key has been working the northern edge where the 30-fathom line bends toward the canyon head. Mahi in the 10-to-20-pound range are scattered through the floating debris, with the occasional bull pushing 30 pounds. Green and yellow skirted ballyhoo on the long rigger, pink and white on the shorts — classic early-season spread.

Poor Man's Canyon fired Sunday when the wind laid down. Three boats I talked to at the dock pulled limits of yellowfin between 25 and 45 pounds, all on the troll. The fish were suspended between 80 and 120 feet, relating to temperature breaks rather than bottom structure. Cedar plugs in natural mullet patterns outproduced everything else, especially the 9-inch Yo-Zuri Bonitas in blue-silver and green-gold.

Norfolk Canyon has been the sleeper play. Water temps there hit 68 degrees Monday — warmest I've seen this early in years. The yellowfin bite has been consistent but not spectacular, with most fish in the 20-to-35-pound range. What's interesting is the wahoo showing up already. Pulled three fish between 25 and 40 pounds Tuesday on high-speed trolling with Ilander-ballyhoo combos. That's a full month earlier than usual for wahoo in Norfolk.

The weather pattern is setting up perfectly for the weekend. Southwest winds have been pushing warmer water up from the south, and the thermal structure is stabilizing. Shelf temps are holding steady in the 67-to-68-degree range, while the canyons are running 2 to 3 degrees warmer. That temperature differential is what drives the whole food chain — bait concentrates on the edges, and the big fish follow.

Bait situation is excellent. Flying fish are thick along the canyon edges, and the dolphin are keyed in on them. Ballyhoo are running in good numbers, and the cedar plug bite tells me there's plenty of small baitfish in the water column. I'm seeing more bird activity than I have in weeks — gannets working the temperature breaks, terns diving on small stuff in the slicks.

Moon phase is working in our favor too. New moon was Monday, so we're building toward spring tides. That means stronger currents along the canyon walls, which stirs up the food chain and gets the fish active. Best bite times have been the hour before sunrise and the two hours after, then again from 1400 to 1600 when the current changes.

Looking ahead, the forecast shows light southwest winds through the weekend with seas 2 to 4 feet. Perfect canyon conditions. Water temps should continue climbing — I'm expecting to see 69 to 70 degrees in Spencer and Lindenkohl by Sunday. That's prime yellowfin water, and with the bait situation as good as it is, this could be the week that really kicks off the season.

If you're planning a trip, focus on Spencer Canyon first — it's been the most consistent producer. Work the eastern wall between the 100 and 200-fathom curves, especially where you see temperature breaks or floating debris. Troll at 7 to 8 knots with a mixed spread of cedar plugs and skirted ballyhoo. Don't overlook Norfolk if you want to avoid the crowds — the wahoo bite there is just getting started.