West Sussex Catch Report – 21st July 2024

Report by David Lewis

Good evening, during the past week there has been numerous good reports of Smoothounds and Rays caught locally and as well as this there are increasing numbers of species featuring in catches, so anglers have plenty of variety in terms of fish to target, both big and small, and with big tides this coming week and a decent weather forecast why not get the rods out and it a go.

Here are Worthing high tides times for the week ahead:

• Monday 22nd July: 00:18 (5.8m), 12:53 (6.0m)
• Tuesday 23rd July: 01:05 (6.0m), 13:41 (6.2m)
• Wednesday 24th July: 01:54 (6.2m), 14:30 (6.3m)
• Thursday 25th July: 02:41 (6.2m), 15:18 (6.3m)
• Friday 26th July: 03:30 (6.1m), 16:04 (6.2m)
• Saturday 27th July: 04:17 (5.8m), 16:51 (6.0m)

The weather has been fairly settled during the last week although midweek there was slight colour at some venues, but the sea now has very good clarity. Big tides next week and although brisk winds occasionally are predicted the water should remain mostly clear.

Small tides, slightly coloured water meant Smoothounds appeared in good numbers with plenty of fish showing especially from Worthing Pier and local beaches with fish to around 12lb caught. Bracklesham and Selsey have had good reports of Hounds during darkness and Shoreham Harbour has also produced some decent fish.

Recent evening tides have seen good catches of decent sized Undulate Rays with fish from Lancing, Shoreham and Hove to 13lb lately. Thornbacks can also be expected from venues such as Eastbourne, Hove, Bognor and Pagham. Some small Stingrays continue to be caught between mainly between Climping and Selsey.

Tope could be worth targeting from venues such as Pagham, Selsey and Bracklesham and Tope can be caught at any stage of the tide and in both daytime and darkness.

The previous week saw an increasing number of Mackerel being reported but smaller tides last week produced very few fish but with some big tides next week, expect some to appear from Brighton Marina and possibly from Shoreham. Scads are present in darkness from both Brighton and Shoreham but not in the vast numbers that can show usually late summer.

Sizable Bass are still being caught throughout the region with lots of fish in the 2-5lb bracket with Shoreham Harbour and Brighton Marina producing the most frequent catches. When the water clarity is good, lure fishing has accounted for some Bass from Worthing, Brighton and Shoreham beaches ideally at dawn or dusk. Summer fishing from the lower reaches of the local rivers can account for some large Bass to big baits.

Anglers wishing to target Flatfish should fish in and around Shoreham or Brighton with beaches such as Kingston Beach seeing good numbers of Flounders showing mainly to red rag baits whereas the open beaches will see small Plaice, Flounders caught to worm baits and darkness will see Sole caught.

The past week has seen plenty of the usual summer species with lots of Black Bream, a few Gurnards, some Red Mullet and good-sized Wrasse caught from Brighton Marina. When the conditions are right various species of Mullet can be targeted locally from both the rivers as well as Worthing Pier and Shoreham Harbour.

Other species occasionally featuring in recent catches include Shad, Pollock, Congers, Garfish, Dogfish, Smelt, Pouting, Silver Eels. As previously stated, a Codling could show from the shore within the next few weeks.

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 new online website which can be found at primeangling.co.uk and there is plenty of new stock regularly added so keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates.

Please feel free to send us your local catch reports, either Sea or Freshwater fishing along with pictures 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!