West Sussex Catch Report - 19th October 2025
Report by David Lewis
Good evening, the fishing recently has been steady although anglers targeting Squid have made some great catches but with a change in the weather with some strong winds expected the fishing should hopefully improve with coloured and choppy seas likely which should hopefully mean some bigger fish could return inshore such as Congers, Rays, Bass and Codling and despite the winds Worthing Pier often fishes its best in such conditions so why not the rods out and give it a try.
Here are Worthing high tides times for the week ahead:
- Monday 20th October: 11:28 (6.0m), 23:42 (5.9m)
- Tuesday 21st October: 12:00 (6.0m)
- Wednesday 22nd October: 00:13 (5.9m) 12:31 (6.1m)
- Thursday 23rd October: 00:44 (5.9m), 12:59 (6.0m)
- Friday 24th October: 01:15 (5.9m), 13:27 (5.9m)
- Saturday 25th October: 01:45 (5.7m), 13:54 (5.8m)
The weather for most of the past week was light winds with plenty of cloud but the winds have picked up through the weekend and next week is looking unsettled with some rain and strong winds predicted on a couple of days. After a few weeks of calm seas and good clarity the sea is likely to turn choppy and coloured although deeper water venues may be clearer.
With the settled weather dominant for much of last week most catches were made up of the usual summer species but the winds picking up should see a change to the fishing and the chance of some of the bigger species to move inshore.
Ideal conditions and perfect tides saw Squid show up throughout the region and in numbers with venues such as the Marina and deep-water beaches producing good results mainly in darkness with the Marina also fishing well in daylight.
Mackerel have been caught in reasonable numbers mainly from the Marina and a few from the Harbour and Garfish have also been caught in daylight.
Decent sized Plaice have shown from the usual venues at Shoreham and Brighton and on occasions more have been caught in darkness with worm’s baits proving successful. Sole have also been caught especially around Shoreham along with a few early Dabs and Flounders. In the next month or so Flounders should be caught in the local rivers more frequently with red rag baits fished at night seeing best results.
Bass continue to be caught, and Shoreham west arm seems to produce the most frequent catches with plenty of sizable fish landed and at this time of year they can respond to different baits depending on the venue. Lure fishing is still worthwhile if the water is clear. Live baiting usually accounts for the larger Bass caught each year around this time of year.
Other catches recently include some sizable Black Bream from Lancing, Gilt Head Bream from Kingston Beach plus the occasional Mullet from Shoreham. Wrasse, Gurnards, small Hounds and Red Mullet were also caught but not in numbers.
Not many Codlings have been caught recently but with strong winds and coloured seas next week fish could make a return both in the daytime and at night to baits such as blacks and Squid.
Conditions could be ideal for targeting a big Conger with Worthing Pier worth trying with big baits so remember to bring a drop net. There has been plenty of small straps caught at night recently with the occasional double figure caught but usually late October and into November is when the biggest Eels often move inshore throughout Sussex. Brighton Marina is also a venue where good Eels have shown this summer.
The changeable conditions mean there is a possibility of Whiting numbers increasing with currently only the odd fish showing but they can turn up in vast numbers this time of year and can make good live baits for bigger species such as Bass and Congers.
Dogfish will be plentiful both in the daytime and at night when the water is coloured and there is a slight chance of a Bull Huss, some jumbo Pouts, and maybe the odd Silver Eel.
Thornback Ray catches are slowly on the increase and more frequently caught in East Sussex though Bognor and Pagham always see steady numbers show and probably the best area to catch Undulate Rays.
Prime Angling 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.
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.
