CatchWindow fishing intelligence

Tacoma, WA Daily Water Report — October 4, 2026

Tacoma gets a clear green light for protected-water plans today: boating is the standout at 8.2/10, with diving 7.8, wildlife 7.7, and fishing and kayaking both 7.3. The caveat is simple—good scores and flat water are not a substitute for local judgment, especially around a very low early tide and changing shoreline access. The water forecast is as quiet as it gets on paper: 0 m waves, swell, and wind waves, with a light NNE breeze around 5 knots and a daylong wind range of just 0.2 to 5.5 knots. Gusts are expected to top out at 8.9 knots around 7 PM, so the morning through midafternoon offers the cleaner operating window for small craft and paddlers. Dry weather, only 8% cloud cover, and atmospheric visibility near 18.8 km should make for a pleasant surface day, though that visibility figure says nothing about underwater clarity. For anglers, the strongest timing is the morning solunar major period from 7:07 to 9:07 AM, shortly after the -0.12 m low at 5:31 AM and into the flood. A second useful window runs 7:07 to 9:07 PM, following the 7:33 PM low. Pressure is steady near 1017 hPa, which supports the day’s 7.3 fishing estimate without promising a bite on command. Wildlife’s 7.7 score also favors the low-tide neighborhood and those same low-wind hours. Divers get a favorable 7.8 estimate from the calm surface pattern and available water-temperature inputs, but should plan around the tide rather than treat flat waves as an all-clear signal. The afternoon high reaches 3.37 m at 1:46 PM, a substantial change from the morning low. Sailing earns 7/10: fine for a gentle outing, less exciting for anyone hoping the wind will do the work. Compared with CatchWindow’s recent estimates, boating improves from yesterday’s 8.5 only slightly lower at 8.2, while fishing rebounds from 6.4 to 7.3; diving holds steady at 7.8. The next several days remain dry, light-wind, and wave-free in the forecast, with warmer afternoons through Wednesday before rain chances edge up late week. Best bet: launch after sunrise, work the light morning breeze and rising tide, and be off the water before the evening gust bump gets ideas.