West Sussex Catch Report - 15th December

Report by David Lewis

Good evening, unless you like catching Whiting the fishing lately has been challenging with not many other species reported locally although anglers venturing up the rivers are finding some Flounders, it’s always worth remembering a day’s fishing is better than spending it Christmas shopping so why not get out and give it a go. 
Here are Worthing high tides times for the week ahead:

• Monday 16th December: 11:29 (6.2m)
• Tuesday 17th December: 00:06 (6.0m), 12:17 (6.0m)
• Wednesday 18th December: 00:55 (5.9m), 13:04 (5.9m)
• Thursday 19th December: 01:39 (5.7m), 13:47 (5.6m)
• Friday 20th December:  02:22 (5.5m), 14:29 (5.4m)
• Saturday 21st December: 03:03 (5.3m), 15:11 (5.1m) 

After last weekend’s strong winds, the past week has been settled with dull, cloudy, damp weather with light winds. Despite the strong winds last Saturday the sea state did ease very quickly, and it’s been calm and slowly the water is starting to clear out although the winds are breezy next week.
 
Whiting have finally arrived in vast numbers especially during darkness with local four-hour matches seeing 50 plus needed to win. When they turn up in these numbers, other species find it hard to compete and as some matches proved the only species caught were Whiting. An alternative can be using Whiting as live baits with the possibility of hooking a Conger or Bass.  

Decent Flounder catches have been made from the River Adur to mainly baits such as red rag fished during darkness seeing consistent catches but in spots, they are regularly showing in the daytime too. In amongst the Flounders expect to catch a few Silver Eels and Bass. Flounders are also likely to be caught on the beaches and venues such as Shoreham Harbour to worm baits in settled conditions. Other flatfish expected from beaches will include some small Plaice, Dabs and possibly Sole. 

The expected improvement to the local Conger fishing has so far failed to materialise bar the occasional decent fish most Eels have been straps. The vast shoals of Whiting which have moved in could see some bigger Eels following them with live Whiting baits the best chance of hooking into one especially from Worthing Pier.  

Dogfish are another species which can at times be caught in reasonable numbers when the water is coloured or during darkness along with the occasional Bull Huss. It won’t be long till the Rocking reappear and other species still featuring in catches include Pout, small Hounds, Silver Eels. The inshore netting boats are still finding Codling although they seem out of range for the shore anglers now. Deeper water venues will see a few Herring in calmer periods with good water clarity. 

Bass are still a worthwhile target from the beaches and rivers with reports of sizable fish still showing along with a few Schoolies. Bass often can be caught at different stages of the tide depending on the venue and can be found in shallow water in the surf. Venues such as East Preston have seen some fish caught full of slipper limpets which have been washed up in recent storms. The lower stretches of the local rivers and from the Harbour and Marina are noted spots for producing regular catches of Bass. 

Another week where there have been little or no reported catches of Rays locally although there is still a realistic chance of the odd one appearing. Both Undulate Ray and Thornback Rays can often be caught at this time of year yet there is a lack of fish lately. Selsey east beach or Bognor is a good place to target one. 

Prime Angling is open 7 days a week; opening hours are 8am till 5pm – Monday to Saturday and Sunday 8am – 4pm, 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. With Christmas just over a week away we have everything Anglers want on their Christmas list so pop in and we have gift vouchers available too. Please check out the Christmas opening hours within the pictures to help plan any trips over the holiday period. 

Please feel free to 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 and Tight Lines!