40 points · Tide
A larger predicted daily tide range earns more points. Moving water often concentrates bait and creates more productive seams, drains, and structure edges.
Data and methodology
How the bite score and solunar periods work
The Gulf Coast Bite score is an explainable planning number from 15 to 97. Daily solunar periods are a separate astronomical timing aid based on the moon’s position for the selected location. Neither predicts a guaranteed catch or replaces an official safety forecast.
The 100-point framework
35 points · Wind
Seven mph or less earns full wind points. The wind component falls as speed increases, with a four-point minimum.
25 points · Sky and rain
Broken cloud cover scores best. Clear skies are moderate. Rain probability, heavy rain, and thunderstorms reduce this component.
Calculation details
The tide component is based on the day’s predicted high-to-low range and is limited from 6 to 40 points. Wind begins at 35 points at seven mph or less, then decreases by approximately 2.4 points for each additional mph until reaching its floor. Sky points are assigned from the forecast description and reduced further by precipitation probability. The three components are added and the final score is limited to 15–97.
The best fishing window is calculated separately. It starts with local sunrise, then favors the nearest morning high or low tide event and displays an approximately three-hour planning window.
Interpretation: 80+ is a strong setup; 72–79 is a solid morning; 62–71 is workable; 52–61 favors first light; below 52 calls for protected water, clean seams, and careful spot selection.
How solunar periods are calculated
Major periods are two-hour windows centered on the moon’s upper transit (overhead) and lower transit (underfoot). Minor periods are one-hour windows centered on local moonrise and moonset. Gulf Coast Bite calculates these events from the selected water’s latitude and longitude for the selected Central Time calendar day.
The astronomical calculation accounts for the moon’s changing orbit, local sidereal time, and standard atmospheric refraction near the horizon. Terrain, buildings, weather, and the practical horizon can make an observed moonrise or moonset differ by several minutes.
Separate from the bite score: Solunar periods do not add or subtract bite-score points. Use them as a timing reference alongside live tide movement, wind, sky, and marine-safety information—not as a catch guarantee.
Refresh schedule and fallbacks
The dashboard retrieves a fresh report on page load and when a location is selected for the first time. The current production bundle also refreshes active conditions every 30 minutes, refreshes a stale report when the browser tab becomes visible again, and provides a manual refresh button. If a live request fails, the interface keeps the last successful report when possible or labels sample data clearly.
Official data sources
- National Weather Service API for forecasts, wind, precipitation, and active marine alerts.
- NOAA Tides & Currents API for tide predictions and water temperature observations.
- NOAA National Data Buoy Center station 42012 for offshore wave height and dominant period.
- Florida FWC and Outdoor Alabama for recreational fishing regulations.
Ownership, corrections, and limitations
Gulf Coast Bite is owned by R. McGarry CO. The score presentation, local field guidance, and site content are maintained for anglers planning trips between Pensacola and Mobile Bay. Send corrections or data questions to r.mcgarryrandall@gmail.com.
Weather, waves, tide predictions, station observations, access conditions, and fishing rules can be incomplete, delayed, or wrong. Verify official marine warnings and current regulations before leaving. The score is not a navigation or life-safety product.