West Sussex Catch Report - 19th April 2026

Report by David Lewis

Good evening, the fishing is showing signs of livening up with some superb fish reported this week and there is now a good variety of species about with summer fish arriving as well as a few winter species lingering inshore and there is a good mixture of big fish worth targeting and the fishing should continue improving and fish numbers increasing and even better the weather is good too so why not grab the rods and give it a try. 

Here are Worthing high tides times for the week ahead:

• Monday 20th April: 01:36 (6.3m), 14:01 (6.2m)
• Tuesday 21st April: 02:19 (6.2m), 14:51 (5.9m)
• Wednesday 22nd April: 03:07 (5.8m), 15:44 (5.6m) 
• Thursday 23rd April: 04:03 (5.4m), 16:49 (5.2m)
• Friday 24th April:  05:13 (4.9m), 18:04 (4.9m)
• Saturday 25th April: 06:38 (4.6m), 19:27 (4.9m)

The weather has been mostly settled during the past week with mainly light winds and dry and sunny conditions. The sea state is calm at present, and the water clarity is improving by the tide with deeper water certainly clearing out quickest whilst the shallower venues take longer. 

As expected, Stingrays have made their appearance recently with some large fish with a couple exceeding 45lb. Realistically anywhere between Goring beach in the east to Selsey in the West could produce a Stingray with Climping, Bognor and Aldwick the venues where they are most likely to show from. Other species of Rays including Thornbacks and Undulates are being reported frequently along with the occasional Small Eyed Rays and even the odd Blonde. 

Anglers wishing to target Plaice will find the East Arm at Brighton Marina has produced the most consistent catches of late although as the water continues to clear expect beaches around Brighton, Hove, Shoreham and Seaford to see Plaice caught with casting at range often an advantage. Along with Plaice some nice sized Sole have been caught as have a few Flounders, Dabs and the occasional Turbot. 

At certain times Dogfish have dominated the catches locally especially during darkness or during the daytime when the water is coloured. If the water clears enough the daytime catches of Dogs should reduce. 

A few better sized Smoothounds should not be too far away with Pagham or Selsey likely to see the first of any run of decent fish. The odd, good fish has been caught along with plenty of tiny pups 

As the sea has calmed and the water clears summer species have started to venture back inshore with species such as Mackerel, Garfish, Mullet and Black Bream a realistic possibility with Mackerel taken from the Brighton Marina this weekend as well as the first of the Gars from Worthing Pier.  Within the next couple of weeks Black Bream can show from Widewater, Pagham and Selsey East beach and usually are good sized fish with best catches made in darkness. 

Fishing in darkness will offer your best chance if you wish to target Congers although daytime fishing can be worthwhile from Brighton Marina. Most Eels are straps which are being reported but always a possibility of a bigger Eel showing up. 

If conditions allow Bass should start responding to lures especially as the water clarity improves and bait fish numbers increase. Bass will be caught to most baits with peeler crabs often picking out some of the better sized fish with worms generally accounting for Schoolies. Shoreham West Arm and Brighton Marina have seen regular catches of sizable fish recently.

Other species featuring in catches including Whiting, Herring, Pouts, Gilt Head Bream, Rockling and Silver Eels plus smaller species such as Blennies and Bullheads.  

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!