CoastCoastCue field guide
How to read a fishing window
A fishing window is a compact way to compare several changing conditions. It should help you choose when to investigate, not hide uncertainty behind a single score or promise that fish will bite.
Start with the reason
Read the plain-language explanation before the score. A useful window should identify whether moving water, daylight, wind, waves, weather, or another input is helping or limiting the period. If an input is unavailable, partial coverage should stay visible.
Compare the shape of the day
Look at the hours before and after the highlighted period. A broad moderate window may be more practical than a short peak, especially when travel, access, or changing weather matters. The seven-day view is best used to narrow choices, then refreshed closer to departure.
Know which water signal is in use
Where a suitable NOAA current station exists, Moving Water can use predicted current speed. Elsewhere CoastCue uses the rate of tide change at the selected tide station because it is a better local signal than a remote channel. The label should make that fallback explicit.
Safety always has veto power
Open the full NWS alert, check its area and valid time, and compare the latest local conditions before leaving. A high fishing score cannot cancel a marine warning, unsafe surf, lightning, poor visibility, or an access restriction.