How the fish finder works
For each ~3 km patch of ocean the model scores six things offshore anglers read off a chart: water temperature in each species' preferred band, temperature breaks, the green-to-blue color edge, water clarity, distance to banks, high spots and islands, and the three-day warming or cooling trend. Yellowtail lean on structure; tuna lean on breaks and clean water.
It scores habitat, not confirmed fish. Use it to decide where to start looking, then trust your eyes: birds, bait, kelp paddies and the radio.
Data: NASA JPL MUR SST (NOAA Geo-Polar Blended SST as backup) via NOAA CoastWatch · NOAA VIIRS gap-filled chlorophyll · NOAA NDBC and Scripps CDIP buoys · NWS San Diego and Los Angeles marine forecasts.