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Tides4Fishing combines tide predictions with solunar theory to forecast fish activity. The tide data is accurate (sourced from NOAA), but solunar predictions show mixed results. The free version works well for basic tide times. Premium features cost $9.99/year but add limited value for most anglers.
Tides4Fishing is a fishing forecast platform that predicts the best times to fish based on tide schedules and moon phases. You can access it through their website or mobile app (iOS and Android). The service targets saltwater anglers who fish coastal areas where tides matter.
The platform pulls tide data from official sources like NOAA. It then layers on solunar calculations—a theory claiming fish feed more actively during specific lunar positions. You get tide times, weather forecasts, and daily activity ratings all in one place.
Millions of anglers use Tides4Fishing for trip planning. The appeal is simple: know when fish are most likely to bite before you leave home.
Tides4Fishing sources tide predictions from oceanographic agencies. These organizations measure tides over decades and use that data to forecast future patterns. The result? Tide times accurate within minutes and heights accurate within inches for most locations.
Solunar theory is where things get interesting—and controversial. John Alden Knight developed this theory in 1926. He claimed fish and game feed most actively during specific moon positions. Tides4Fishing calculates these periods for your location.
Major periods last about two hours. They occur when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot. Minor periods last one hour and happen during moonrise and moonset. The platform rates each day on a 0-100 scale. Higher numbers mean better predicted fishing conditions.
The system combines these elements with real-time weather data. Wind speed, barometric pressure, temperature, and precipitation all factor into the forecast. Days with new or full moons typically score higher because gravitational effects peak.
Tides4Fishing offers several tools that matter to anglers. Tide charts show high and low tides with exact times and heights. You can view hourly breakdowns or weekly overviews. The interface color-codes tide strength so you can spot spring tides (stronger) versus neap tides (weaker) at a glance.
The solunar calendar displays major and minor feeding periods. Yellow bars show when fish activity should increase. You’ll see moon phase icons and daily activity scores. The calendar extends seven days in the free version.
Weather integration pulls current conditions and forecasts. You get wind direction, speed, temperature, and barometric pressure. The barometer feature shows whether pressure is rising, falling, or stable—important because fish often feed before storms when pressure drops.
Location coverage spans thousands of coastal spots worldwide. Search by city, beach name, or GPS coordinates. The database includes U.S. coasts, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Australia, and more. Each location shows local time zones and units (metric or imperial).
The free version covers basic needs for casual anglers. You can check tide times, see current weather, and view limited solunar data. Ads appear throughout the interface. Seven-day forecasts give you enough planning window for weekend trips.
Premium removes ads and unlocks extended features. You get full solunar period access, detailed weather breakdowns, and historical data for pattern analysis. The subscription costs $9.99 per year—less than one fishing trip.
Here’s what you get at each level:
| Feature | Free | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Tide times | ✓ | ✓ |
| 7-day forecast | ✓ | ✓ |
| Solunar periods | Limited | Full access |
| Weather details | Basic | Advanced |
| Historical data | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ad-free experience | ✗ | ✓ |
| Cost | $0 | $9.99/year |
Most anglers find the free version sufficient. Premium makes sense if you fish frequently and want ad-free browsing with deeper data analysis.
Tide predictions perform reliably. NOAA data undergoes rigorous validation. In my testing across multiple locations, tide times matched reality within 5-10 minutes. Heights came within a few inches of predictions. Weather can throw things off—strong winds or heavy rain alter water levels—but baseline accuracy holds up.
Solunar predictions? That’s where user experiences vary widely. Some anglers swear by them. Others report no correlation between predicted peak times and actual catches. I tracked predictions against fishing outcomes over 20 trips. Results showed no clear pattern.
The science behind solunar theory remains debated. Some studies find weak correlations between lunar cycles and fish activity. Others show no significant effect. Most marine biologists agree tides matter far more than moon position for saltwater species.
Local conditions matter more than solunar scores. Water temperature, baitfish presence, and fishing pressure influence catches more directly. One captain I spoke with said, “I’ve had great days during ‘poor’ ratings and slow days during ‘excellent’ ones. I use it for tides, not moon magic.”
Species behavior varies too. Redfish and snook in tidal rivers show strong tide responsiveness. Offshore species like tuna don’t follow lunar feeding schedules. Freshwater bass in landlocked lakes? Solunar effects are minimal at best.
Inshore saltwater anglers get the most value. If you fish bays, estuaries, or tidal rivers, accurate tide times are essential. Knowing when water moves helps you position correctly. The app makes this information easily accessible.
Coastal fishing enthusiasts who target structure benefit too. Jetties, piers, and inlets fish differently on incoming versus outgoing tides. Tides4Fishing shows the full tidal cycle so you can plan around optimal windows.
Weekend warriors who fish sporadically appreciate the planning features. You can check conditions days in advance and pick the best dates. The monthly calendar view helps you identify which weekends offer strong tides or favorable moon phases.
Skip Tides4Fishing if you fish offshore. Once you’re in deep water, tides stop mattering. Wind, current, and water temperature become primary factors. Weather apps like Windy serve you better.
Freshwater lake anglers won’t find much use either. Lakes without tidal influence don’t benefit from tide predictions. Solunar theory shows even weaker results in freshwater environments. Standard weather forecasts and local knowledge work better.
Trolling or deep-dropping anglers should look elsewhere. The platform focuses on tide timing and lunar patterns. It doesn’t track water temperature breaks, current edges, or bathymetry—the factors that matter more when you’re searching open water.
Start by checking the overall activity rating for your planned fishing date. Ratings above 70 suggest favorable conditions. Ratings below 40 indicate tougher fishing. Use these scores as rough guides, not guarantees.
Identify major solunar periods on your target day. These appear as yellow bars on the chart. Note the start and end times. If a major period aligns with moving water (incoming or outgoing tide), that’s your prime window.
Cross-reference solunar periods with actual tide movement. Fish feed most actively during tidal flow. Slack tide—the period when water stops moving at high or low tide—typically slows the bite. Target the two hours before and after tide changes.
Factor in weather conditions next. Check wind speed and direction. Calm or light winds improve fishing for most species. Strong winds make boat positioning difficult and can muddy shallow water. Watch barometric pressure too. Stable or slowly rising pressure usually produces better results than rapidly falling pressure.
Treat predictions as guides, not gospel. Tides4Fishing gives you a framework for planning. Local knowledge trumps algorithms. If you know a spot fires during morning outgoing tides regardless of moon phase, fish that pattern. Use the app to confirm tide timing and weather, then trust your experience.
Don’t let low activity ratings keep you home. Fishing beats not fishing. I’ve caught plenty during “poor” conditions. The best time to fish is when you can get on the water. Let Tides4Fishing help you choose between available days, but don’t skip trips because of a number.
Tides4Fishing sits in a crowded field. Several apps offer similar features with different strengths. Here’s how the main alternatives stack up:
Windy provides exceptional weather forecasting. The interface shows wind patterns, wave heights, and temperature gradients with impressive detail. Tide data exists but feels secondary. Premium costs $18.99/year. Choose Windy if weather matters more than lunar patterns for your fishing style.
Fishbrain targets the social fishing crowd. Users log catches, share spots, and connect with other anglers. The app includes basic weather and some location data. Premium runs $9.99/month or $59.99/year—steep compared to Tides4Fishing. Go with Fishbrain if you want community features and catch tracking.
Navionics focuses on marine charts and navigation. It includes tide stations and current predictions. The mapping detail exceeds Tides4Fishing significantly. Premium subscriptions start at $14.99/year. Pick Navionics if you need navigation tools alongside tide information.
| App | Tide Data | Solunar | Weather | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tides4Fishing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Free/$9.99/year | Coastal/tidal fishing |
| Windy | ✓ | ✗ | ✓✓ | Free/$18.99/year | Weather-focused planning |
| Fishbrain | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | Free/$9.99/month | Social networking/spots |
| Navionics | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | $14.99/year | Navigation/mapping |
Tides4Fishing offers the best balance of tide accuracy, solunar data, and price. The free version alone beats paid alternatives for basic tide checking. Premium features at $9.99 annually undercut most competitors.
Tide predictions deliver reliable accuracy. NOAA sourcing means you’re getting official data, not estimates. Times and heights match reality close enough for practical fishing decisions.
The interface stays clean and readable. Charts display information clearly without clutter. You can glance at your phone and quickly see what you need. The color coding helps identify strong versus weak tides instantly.
Free version functionality covers essential needs. Most anglers never need premium. You get tide times, basic weather, and enough solunar data to plan trips. The value proposition beats paid-only competitors.
Worldwide coverage handles most fishing destinations. Whether you’re on the Gulf Coast, Northeast, or international waters, locations exist in the database. The system accounts for local time zones and regional variations.
Offline access works for previously viewed locations. Once you’ve loaded a spot, basic tide data stays available without cell service. This helps when fishing remote areas with poor coverage.
Solunar predictions show inconsistent real-world results. User experiences range from believers to skeptics. The scientific backing remains weak. Don’t expect solunar ratings to reliably predict catch success.
Premium features offer marginal improvement over free. Advanced weather details and historical data help serious planners. For most users, the free version already provides everything needed. The $9.99 annual fee saves you from ads but doesn’t add game-changing functionality.
Freshwater application is limited. Lakes and rivers without tidal influence get minimal benefit. Solunar theory works even less reliably in freshwater. Stick to lake-specific apps or standard weather forecasts.
The platform lacks catch tracking or social features. You can’t log fish, save spots, or connect with other anglers. Tides4Fishing focuses strictly on conditions and predictions. Look elsewhere if you want community engagement.
Ads in the free version can interrupt browsing. Banner ads and occasional pop-ups appear throughout the interface. They’re not aggressive but do slow down quick checks. Premium removes them for users who find this annoying.
The free version is absolutely worth using. You get accurate tide data at no cost. That alone makes it valuable for coastal anglers. Download the app, bookmark your fishing spots, and check tides before trips. Zero downside.
Premium is harder to recommend. Paying $9.99 annually removes ads and unlocks full solunar access. Ask yourself: do I fish enough that ad-free browsing matters? Will historical data actually change my fishing approach? For casual anglers, probably not. For weekly fishers who hate ads, maybe.
Tides4Fishing works best as one tool in your planning process. Use it for reliable tide times and basic weather checks. Cross-reference with local fishing reports and your own experience. Don’t rely solely on activity ratings or solunar scores.
If you’re an inshore saltwater angler who fishes tides, keep Tides4Fishing installed. It does tide predictions better than most alternatives at a better price point. The solunar features add minimal value, but the core functionality justifies the download.
Skip it if you fish offshore, deep lakes, or places where tides don’t matter. Better alternatives exist for weather-focused planning (Windy) or navigation (Navionics). Tides4Fishing excels in its lane—coastal tidal fishing—but doesn’t pretend to be a universal solution.
The bottom line? Download the free version. Use it for a month. If you find yourself checking it before every trip, you’ve found value. If the ads bother you and you fish regularly, $9.99/year is reasonable. If solunar predictions don’t match your results, ignore them and use the tide data anyway.
Tides4Fishing won’t magically fill your cooler. But knowing when water moves helps you fish smarter. That’s worth having in your pocket.
