CatchWindow fishing intelligence

Richmond, CA Daily Water Report — October 6, 2026

Richmond gets a clear green light for small-boat time today: boating is the standout at 9/10, with kayaking also strong at 8.1/10. The water is unusually cooperative by forecast standards, holding around 0.3–0.4 m through the day, with the calmest point near 1 PM at 0.32 m. A light southerly wind, generally 3–7.7 knots, should keep the surface manageable; the day’s strongest gust, 10.5 knots, is confined to around midnight rather than the prime daylight window. For paddlers and boaters, late morning into early afternoon is the practical sweet spot. The 10:11 AM high tide arrives alongside the 8:58–10:58 AM solunar major period, then conditions stay low-wave into the early afternoon. Expect a warm day ashore, climbing from 13.8 C to 26.6 C, with no rain indicated and only 6% cloud cover. That is pleasant deck weather, though the 16.5 km atmospheric visibility says nothing about what can be seen below the surface. Fishing rates a respectable 7.2/10, just shy of yesterday’s 7.3. The morning major period overlaps high water, while the evening major period runs 8:58–10:58 PM around the 9:26 PM high. Stable pressure near 1013 hPa and light wind support the forecast, but tide movement—not a magic clock—remains the useful part of those windows. Wildlife also scores 7.4/10, with the 3:39 PM low tide and the 3:28–4:28 AM minor period offering the day’s low-tide-adjacent opportunities. Sailing is a decent 7.4/10, but light air is the tradeoff: smooth water does not automatically mean satisfying sail power. Diving is not scored today, so there is no basis here to recommend it. Compared with the last few days, boating improves from 8.6 yesterday, while kayaking rebounds from 7.4. The forecast stays benign through Thursday, then waves build to 0.6–0.9 m Saturday before easing again. Best bet: launch late morning, enjoy the high-tide window, and be off the water before the evening tide asks you to do the planning twice.