West Sussex Catch Report - 13th September 2026

Report by David Lewis

Good evening, luckily in Sussex there often is plenty of species which can be found in our inshore waters and at this time of year there probably is the most which are present at the same time and the fishing can certainly vary from venues and conditions fished so it seems there is lots of species to target so why not get the rods out and give it a try. 

Here are Worthing high tides times for the week ahead:

• Monday 14th September: 01:47 (6.2m), 14:09 (6.2m)
• Tuesday 15th September: 02:20 (6.0m), 14:39 (6.0m)
• Wednesday 16th September: 02:54 (5.7m), 15:09 (5.7m) 
• Thursday 17th September: 03:28 (5.4m), 15:40 (5.3m)
• Friday 18th September:  04:05 (4.9m), 16:17 (4.9m)
• Saturday 19th September: 04:53 (4.5m), 17:13 (4.4m)

Again, the weather during the past week has been mixed, sunshine, cloud, and rain at times. The water was coloured at the start of the week and soon cleared out on the bigger tides. 

Finally, a few reports of Codling appearing with odd fish being caught from the beaches including Hove and Pevensey and the numbers should increase in the next few weeks. Codling can randomly show from any venue at any time although nighttime tides are thought to increase your chances with baits such a lug and squid worth using when targeting them. 

Garfish have been plentiful on occasions in the right conditions and will be caught from Brighton Marina, Shoreham Harbour and Worthing Pier and generally are caught on small slivers of Mackerel fished mid to high up in the water although they also take various lures. Mackerel are still being caught but not in the numbers or frequency of a fortnight ago and Scad are also being taken in the darkness and Shad can be caught to feathers but are a protected species and must be returned.
 
Squid have also been caught in good quantities many from structures such as the Pier, Harbour or Marina mainly at night in clear and calm water to squid jigs. 

Bass remain a worthwhile target and continue to show throughout the region with good numbers of sizable fish caught. When conditions allow lure fishing is certainly worthwhile if the clarity is good from the shore or rivers and most baits will catch Bass this time of year with live baits often picking out the biggest fish. Brighton Marina and Shoreham are venues which regularly produce decent Bass this time of year. 

Other summer species featuring in catches include Black Bream, Mullet, Gurnards, Red Mullet, Wrasse plus there are still some Smoothounds about although mostly small there was a good fish lost from the Pier Tuesday night in a match. Dogfish seem to be making a return with a few caught during the last few evenings. 

There is a mixture of both types and sizes of Rays locally at the moment with plenty of small fish although there was a double figure Undulate caught from the Pier during the week. The Conger fishing is generally poor bar a few fish from the Marina with most venues full of extremely small straps in darkness. 

Anglers wishing to target flatfish would find Sole to be the most achievable with some nice sized fish caught locally mainly at night or also during the day when the water is coloured. Plaice and Flounders are possible in the daytime to worm baits with Shoreham to Brighton areas worth trying. 

Prime Angling usual opening times are 8am till 5pm Monday to Saturday and 8am till 4pm Sundays. We are located at 26 Marine Parade, Worthing, BN11 3PT, just to the east of Worthing Pier with limited customer parking available at the front of the shop. For bait availability it is advisable to phone us on 01903 821594. We also stock a large variety of frozen sea baits as well as a wide range of freshwater baits and tackle. 

Visit our online website at primeangling.co.uk with plenty of new stock regularly added so keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates which will include plenty of new items from Japan. 

Please send us pictures of your recent local catches via our Facebook page messenger or email and we will aim to publish them for you in the weekly report. Please note we DO NOT claim ANY FISH used and mentioned in our reports are caught on our baits or tackle, it is a report to show what has and is likely to be caught locally.

Good luck & Tight Lines!