CatchWindow fishing intelligence

Dauphin Island, AL Daily Water Report — August 28, 2026

Boating and sailing are the clear winners today on Dauphin Island, with the Gulf offering a stable, glassy surface that’s a welcome change from the gustier afternoons we saw last week. The representative wind sits at a manageable 7 knots from the north-northeast, and the day’s calmest wave heights bottom out around 0.12 meters near dawn—conditions that translate to a boating score of 7.9 and a sailing score of 7.7. That’s a solid step up from yesterday’s sailing mark of 4.8, when a lighter breeze made for a sluggish ride. The full moon overhead pulls tides into a tight range—high at 11:12 barely cresting 0.39 meters, low just before nine tonight at 0.19 meters. That modest tidal swing, combined with a stable barometric pressure around 1016 hPa and only 26% cloud cover, keeps the mid-morning window particularly appealing for anglers. The fishing score of 6.6 matches the high end of last week’s readings, though it doesn’t quite reach yesterday’s 7.2. The major solunar period from 11:55 to 13:55 aligns nicely with the slack tide around high water, which is a decent bet for bottom-dwellers—but don’t expect a blitz. Surfers should sit this one out. A 4.5 score reflects the minimal wave energy: 0.22-meter waves with a short 2.95-second period, driven by a weak north-northeasterly swell. That’s essentially flat, and the offshore wind won’t help sculpt anything rideable. Wildlife watchers, however, have a solid 7.2 rating—the full moon combined with a light breeze and low tide proximity sets up good shoreline viewing, especially during the minor period around 18:25 to 19:25. The ocean surface temperature reads 31.5°C, which is typical for late August, and the Gulf Stream current pushes southwest at 0.8 m/s. That’s a factor for paddlers—the kayaking score of 6 is a drop from yesterday’s outstanding 8.6, due to a slightly steadier breeze, but the morning hours remain workable before the wind picks up. Diving has no score available today. Looking ahead, Friday brings stronger winds peaking near 19 knots as a front approaches, with waves climbing to 0.6 meters and a 75% precipitation chance on Saturday. Conditions degrade through the weekend before settling again early next week. If you’ve got a boat, today’s your day—get out before the chop returns.