West Sussex Catch Report - 25th January 2026

Report by David Lewis

Good evening, weather conditions lately have made the fishing locally challenging with strong winds and plenty of rain hampering the anglers venturing out trying their luck and although the majority of fish at this time of year are usually small there are still some of the bigger species occasionally being reported so why not get the rods out and give it a try. 

Here are Worthing high tides times for the week ahead:

• Monday 26th January: 03:57 (5.5m), 16:20 (5.1m)
• Tuesday 27th January: 04:57 (5.2m), 17:28 (4.9m)
• Wednesday 28th January: 06:07 (5.0m) 18:48 (4.7m)
• Thursday 29th January: 07:26 (5.0m), 20:10 (4.9m)
• Friday 30th January:  08:40 (5.2m), 21:21 (5.3m)
• Saturday 31st January: 09:44 (5.5m), 22:25 (5.7m)

Another week has passed where the sea conditions have been mainly choppy or rough and very coloured due to strong winds for most of the week with plenty of rain as well. 

The odd Conger to around 10lb has shown locally but despite perfect conditions for them recently they are not about in the numbers. The occasional better fish has been caught further west towards Pagham and Selsey and they can be a possible catch randomly throughout the region although Shoreham harbour and Worthing Pier can offer shelter and a better chance of fishing in wind and choppy seas so always remember to bring a drop net. Live or dead Whiting make ideal baits although other fish and squid baits will work too. 

Dabs always seem plentiful this time of year and catches are certainly still increasing with East Sussex beaches such as Pevensey, Eastbourne and Seaford all worth targeting them with black lug as bait. They will show more locally but, in less numbers, and not a guaranteed catch but occasionally will be caught between Brighton and Shoreham. 

Still, we wait for the correct conditions of light winds, calm and clear seas which would allow the Plaice to move inshore which they often do between late January and April mainly between Shoreham and Brighton and although the odd one has been caught the winds have kept the fish offshore.  

The Flounder fishing seems poor compared to previous winters with numbers of fish reported seemingly down especially from the local rivers. However, the best chance to catch a Flounder is probably from the River Adur and as usual red or white rag will increase your chances of catching. A few Flounders are being caught on the rare occasion when the sea is calm and settled. 

Dogfish are still about with a mixture of sized fish although not in the large numbers they can appear at other times of the year but still spread out throughout the region and a likely catch both during the day and at night with coloured water and choppy seas. 

Whiting will be caught from most venues both during the day and at night with some venues seemingly producing better catches than others although there are still a good percentage of sizable Whiting whereas this time of year the “pins” usually move in in vast shoals. Whiting can make good baits for some of the bigger species and worth using either dead or alive for Bass and Congers. 

Ray catches are possible with a few Thornback Rays caught with venues such as Pagham, Bognor, Hove, Seaford and Eastbourne all worth targeting them from in settled conditions. Undulate Rays are extremely scarce with Bognor to Selsey the most likely place one will show if they do at all.  

Although the seas conditions should produce a few Bass there have been very few caught recently other than a few small ones and the occasional sizable fish from the lower stretches of the local rivers. Despite this, a larger fish is always a possibility when the sea is rough and coloured. 

There are plenty of smaller species showing to anglers using worm baits with Rockling certainly increasing in numbers along with the odd Pout and Silver Eels.

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. 

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!