Does anybody know how often Reefcast updates and what time? Would be nice to know if i’m looking at todays or yesterdays model.
not sure but it seems to update every 3 or 4 hours in my estimation from watching it change.
It sure was wrong today. 2 ft at 10 sec was more like 2 ft at 2 sec with some fours mixed in.
Mayhem
Pioneer 197
How accurate have yall generally found reefcast to be
TTkari, I think that was residual chop from the night before. I don’t think reef cast called for the chop to clear until sunday afternoon, and it said it would still be blowing at least 10kts. when did you head out?
I usually have good results with reef cast. I’d rate it at 80%. Unless the window is real sketchy or shifty like it was sunday. I’d recommend looking at magicseaweed as well.
We broke the jetties prob about 1 pm. The wind was supposed to die in the morning then light and variable about 1. It died in the morning then picked up to 15. Haven’t used magicseaweed. I normally check windalert, bouyweather and reefcast.
Mayhem
Pioneer 197
On magicseaweed which forecast are you using IOP pier? Nice that it gives the secondary swell forecast.
Mayhem
Pioneer 197
it doesn’t matter which surfspot you use I don’t think (but I use folly pier because folly sticks out a little more into deeper water… not sure if it makes a huge difference). I just look at the wind/wave/period/pressure charts where you can scroll the time back and forth. Those are the most helpful. especially the wind.
Yes, the mixed swell feature is nice because I think that’s what may have caught you sunday afternoon. Even if a bouy is reading ten seconds, you still could have a two second chop on the water if the chop is smaller than the swell.
Keep in mind Reefcast is not modeled for conditions inside 20 miles. Though it is often accurate, there can easily be a difference, particularly this time of year. Reefcast ‘w/ extra wave info’ also shows secondary waves and swell …
Thanks Reelly Old. I see the secondary waves on the reef cast using the waves with additional info setting. does it forecast a wave height? I can’t seem to read it if it does. For instance on this weeks forecast, I see an orange square (direction), and the thin red line (period), but I don’t see a wave height indicated.
I’m kind of curious as to how you would interpret this saturdays forecast. The primary swell and wind looks to be not too bad (3 feet at 10+ seconds from the southeast). the secondary swell seems to be at 6 seconds from the east. Magicseaweed seems to indicate the secondary swell height will waver between 1.5 and 2 feet. Windspeed seems to be forecasted for around 10 knts for all day saturday.
It seems to be fishable at first glance, but what do y’all think?
Looking at Charleston 60,(bottom image) the solid blue is the forecast height of the highest 1/3 of waves (I think that’s the number), includes primary swell and wind (secondary) wave. The higher the primary swell period, usually the less the secondary wave height, if present at all. I would look for it to be a little sloppy Saturday morning, improving through the day as the secondary wave dies out. Winds and waves higher as you go further out
I used to blame Reefcast and NOAA when the forecast was off, then I started looking at the secondary stuff. Conditions started to look much closer to forecast … 
I’m guessing when the secondary infor on reefcast drops out it’s saying there will be no secondary wave? I’m guessing that is really the best times to go.
Mayhem
Pioneer 197
I guess so TTKarl. Are any of y’all planning on going out saturday morning?
I’ve been debating it. I have a 23’ walk around. looking to go to y73 or closer (60 or capers) to shore to bottom fish. Given the forecast earlier in the week, I had ambitions of trolling, but not so much anymore.
I went out new years day when it was supposed to be calm (and it wasn’t) and went to the 60 instead of y73. we limited on large bsb. I was hoping this trip would be a little calmer due to the large period of the primary swell, but I’m not so sure anymore due to the wind which i’ve seen forecasted for tomorrow anywhere from 5-12.
Think I should give it a peak out the jetties? or should I stay home?
Anybody want to buddy boat?
i’m going but will be well north of you out of GT and heading toward the scarp. troll some for whoo then probe the depths is the plan
“Destiny” 35ft
Contender and “Scintilla” 20ft Keywest, Manning SC
i dont care what the forecast says,i always look at the capers bouy for real wind 1 last time before i leave…