CatchWindow fishing intelligence

Billingsgate, London Daily Water Report — October 8, 2026

Billingsgate gets a firm green light for boating and a qualified yes for sailing, paddling, diving and fishing—but dress for October, not the postcard. The water forecast is flat at 0 m all day, with no swell or wind waves indicated, while a north-westerly breeze sits around 6 knots and may gust into the low teens. That is a notably manageable harbour day, though the air is the real bite: about 9°C for much of the day, feeling nearer 6°C, before reaching roughly 15°C. Boating leads the activity outlook at 7.9/10, helped by the calm surface, dry forecast and modest wind. Sailing rates 7.4/10: enough breeze to keep things moving without much sea state, but gust variation means crews should not mistake a flat water forecast for a completely uniform ride. Kayaking earns 6.7/10, still workable in the low wind and zero-wave setup, but colder air raises the cost of an unplanned swim. Diving holds at 7.6/10, unchanged from the recent record, although no water temperature or underwater-visibility reading is available; the excellent atmospheric visibility, near 23 km, is useful above water only. Fishing improves to 6.3/10 from yesterday’s 5.9, with rising pressure—1018 hPa and climbing—and the stronger solunar window from 10:06 to 12:06 offering the cleanest daylight timing. A later minor period runs 16:36–17:36, close to sunset at 18:27. No tide data are available, so plan around access and local conditions rather than pretending the missing tide chart is merely being coy. Wildlife is a middling 6.4/10, with the same late-afternoon solunar slot the more convenient daylight option. Compared with the past week, boating remains consistently strong but is just shy of the very calm 8-plus days earlier in the run. Today is also markedly cooler than yesterday’s 16°C, despite the brighter, mostly clear forecast and no rain indicated. Friday looks warmer but wetter, with an 84% precipitation chance and winds up to 13.4 knots. Saturday through Monday trend drier and generally lighter, while the marine forecast remains flat throughout. Best bet: launch into the late-morning solunar window, enjoy the glassy harbour, and bring the extra layer you will be glad you packed.