West Sussex Catch Report – 28th July 2024

Report by David Lewis

Good evening, whatever the weather we are always lucky that in Sussex there is always a wide range of species that can be targeted locally and with evening tides this coming week why not get out and enjoy the summer weather and catch a few fish at the same time.

Here are Worthing high tides times for the week ahead:

• Monday 29th July: 06:07 (5.2m), 18:40 (5.4m)
• Tuesday 30th July: 07:12 (4.9m), 19:45 (5.2m)
• Wednesday 31st July: 08:25 (4.9m), 20:55 (5.2m)
• Thursday 1st August: 09:38 (5.0m), 22:01 (5.3m)
• Friday 2nd August: 10:44 (5.3m), 23:01 (5.4m)
• Saturday 3rd August: 11:39 (5.5m), 23:51 (5.6m)

The weather for much of the past week has been mostly warm, sunny and dry and next week the temperatures are expected to increase further with light winds until the weekend. The sea has remained mostly clear with slight colour inshore when the sea breeze picked up.

Bass have been prolific this year so far and plenty of sizable fish have been caught seemingly regardless of the conditions with fish showing throughout the whole of Sussex. As usual Brighton Marina, the nearby reefs, Shoreham Harbour and the lower stretches of the local rivers are all regularly producing decent sessions. Majority of fish are in the 2-5lb range with a few bigger fish appearing usually from Brighton. Whilst the water clarity is good, lure fishing has been worthwhile fishing at dawn or dusk. Worm baits generally find the smaller Bass with plenty of Schoolies to rag and lugworms.

Smoothounds are still showing but not in the numbers they were a fortnight ago, but fish are still regularly being caught from venues such as Selsey and Bracklesham. Local beaches are still seeing the occasional fish with Ferring and East Preston producing some fish although it has been weedier than of late. Worthing and Shoreham have seen fish caught mostly during darkness.

Conditions in the next few days should be ideal for targeting Tope from venues such as Pagham, Selsey and Bracklesham. Tope can appear randomly and can be caught at any stage of the tide and in both daytime and darkness.

Rays are likely to show on the evening tides next week with Undulates showing during darkness from venues including Shoreham and Lancing and some Thornbacks have shown from Pevensey, Eastbourne, Seaford and Hove. Bognor, Pagham and Selsey could all be worth targeting Rays from with the added chance of catching a Stingray with Climping also worth a try on the smaller tides.

Again, the Mackerel catches remain poor with occasional fish caught from Brighton Marina and from Shoreham but very small numbers to what’s usually expected this time of year. Scads are present in darkness from both Brighton and Shoreham but not yet in the vast numbers that can show usually late summer.

As usual the most frequent catches of flatfish are made from Shoreham to Brighton with plenty of small Plaice, some decent Flounders from Kingston Beach and some Sole showing from the beaches in darkness with worm baits accounting for most flatties.

Calm, clear water with light winds means the usual summer species are likely to be caught with Black Bream, a few Gurnards, some Red Mullet and Brighton Marina should see some good-sized Wrasse. Mullet can be targeted locally from both the rivers as well as Worthing Pier, Tide Mills 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!