West Sussex Catch Report - 28th December 2025

Good evening, we hope you all have had an enjoyable Christmas and got plenty of presents. Although the fishing at this time of year usually is not brilliant luckily there are still worthwhile targets locally despite the cooler weather and calm seas and it should not be too long before the Plaice arrive, often appearing in the next month or so, so why not get the rods out and give it a try. 

Here are Worthing high tides times for the week ahead:

• Monday 29th December: 05:40 (5.2m), 18:07 (4.9m)
• Tuesday 30th December: 06:44 (5.2m), 19:15 (5.0m)
• Wednesday 31st December: 07:48 (5.4m) 20:21 (5.2m)
• Thursday 1st January: 08:49 (5.6m), 21:22 (5.5m)
• Friday 2nd January:  09:46 (5.8m), 22:22 (5.8m)
• Saturday 3rd January: 10:42 (6.2m), 23:21 (6.0m)

For the much of the past week the winds have been brisk cold north easterlies, mainly dry, cloudy and occasionally some sunshine. The sea state has been mainly calm and the sea clarity is slowly improving with deeper water venues seeing the water clearing quicker.
As expected for the time of year Flounders are showing from the local rivers in good numbers with some reasonable sized fish being caught with majority of fish caught during darkness although they can be caught in daylight too. Ideally using baits such as red or white rag will produce better catches although small king rags will still catch. Flounders will also be caught from the beaches and from the Harbour and Worthing Pier again to worm baits with clearer water and darkness likely to see best results. Although still early if present conditions persist it could see the arrival of the larger Plaice which usually appear inshore late January to March. Small Plaice are still likely now, and Dabs are increasing in catches lately along with a few late Sole. 

The present conditions are not ideal for Conger fishing but fishing at night or venues which still have coloured water is the best chance of catching a better sized fish although a few straps are always likely to appear to fish baits whereas whole live or dead Whiting baits usually catch the largest Eels. Remember to use suitable tackle when targeting Congers and take a drop net when fishing from structures. 

Dogfish are still being caught at venues where the water still holds colour or fishing the nighttime tides and will be caught on various baits. As the water clears out less Dogfish are likely to show in the daytime. 

Whiting is still hit and miss meaning some tides there can be lots of fish being caught then the next tide very few are biting. Like Dogfish they will be caught in the day whilst the water is coloured else, they will arrive during darkness. A Few Pouts are also being caught, and both can make good live baits for Congers. 

It is coming to the time of year where Rockling will make their appearance and will attack and tangle baits and snoods but can be caught frequently to small worm baits. 

Bass catches are slowly decreasing although it still possible to find a few sizable fish as well as some schoolies. Ideally it needs the weather to remain mild with onshore winds for Bass to stay inshore and with the opposite weather expected Bass could become scarcer. 

As usual any anglers wishing to target Rays are best advised to fish Bognor, Aldwick or Pagham with the possibility of finding a Thornback or Undulate and Thornbacks could appear from venues such as Eastbourne, Seaford and Hove. 

If the water is clear deeper water venues could see Herring show to sabiki lures along with the occasional Shad. 

Prime Angling usual opening times are 8am till 5pm Monday to Saturday and 8am till 4pm Sundays but please see in the pictures the opening hours between now and New Year. 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.