West Sussex Catch Report - 22nd December 2024

Report by David Lewis

Good evening, firstly we would like to wish all our customers a Happy Christmas and hope you get plenty of fishing related presents. Good news is there are plenty of fish about to keep the rod tips rattling, a chance of good-sized fish still and with a decent weather forecast for the coming week why not get the rods out and give it a try.
Here are Worthing high tides times for the week ahead:

• Monday 23rd December: 04:36 (4.9m), 16:52 (4.5m)
• Tuesday 24th December: 05:34 (4.7m), 17:59 (4.4m)
• Wednesday 25th December: 06:43 (4.6m), 19:12 (4.4m)
• Thursday 26th December: 07:45 (4.8m), 20:12 (4.6m)
• Friday 27th December:  08:37 (5.0m), 21:03 (5.0m)
• Saturday 28th December: 09:21 (5.2m), 21:47 (5.2m) 

Another weekend of strong winds has meant the sea is heavily coloured again after being quite rough at times. Thankfully next week the weather is improving with generally light winds, dry and sunny conditions. Small tides mean the colour should hold despite the easing winds. 
 
As usual for the time of year most people’s attention is preparing for Christmas rather than fishing and this year is no different hence the lack of fish pictures this week. 

Whiting have again been prolific throughout the region although some venues hold bigger numbers than others with two or three every cast yet other venues they appear in smaller quantities and therefore give other species a chance of finding the baits. Whiting can be used as live baits with the possibility of hooking a Conger or Bass especially from Worthing Pier or Shoreham west arm.  

Fishing during darkness should see some decent Flounder catches from the River Adur to mainly baits such as red rag. Once the sea calms down expect a few fish from the beaches again to worm baits and from some venues they have been caught on shellfish. Within a month or so if the conditions are perfect Plaice will move inshore with good numbers of fish usually appearing mid-January onwards especially when the sea is calm and clear. Other flatfish expected from beaches will include some Dabs mainly from the East Sussex area and possibly the odd Sole. 

Although they are still a realistic target locally the Conger fishing can be considered poor compared to previous years. Worthing Pier is still the venue most likely to produce a big eel. Straps are still common with plenty of fish below 3lb in weight. Whiting fished as either a dead or live bait should pick out the bigger fish if any are about. 

Dogfish are another species which should be common locally whilst the water remains coloured and like Whiting they can be found in bigger numbers at some venues and very few at others. Most likely venues to find some include Selsey east beach, Bognor and Shoreham.

It is the time of year when occasional species can be caught but not in any numbers and fish will include Codling, Pout, Silver Eels, small Smoothounds and Bull Huss. Herring and other bait fish can be caught in clear water from Brighton Marina.  Rays remain scarce although they are still a possible catch with Selsey and Pagham likely venues to find one if any are about.

Some nice sized Bass are still being caught along with plenty of Schoolies. Bass are showing from the rivers as well as the shore and can be caught at different stages of the tide depending on the venue and can be found in shallow water in the surf. Brighton Marina and Shoreham west arm could see a few bigger Bass caught and they should remain inshore whilst its mild and the water coloured and choppy. 

Please find the Prime Angling Christmas opening hours within the pictures accompanying this post. 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 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!