West Sussex Catch Report - 2nd August 2026

Good evening, thankfully there are signs of improvement with the fishing locally noticeably the number of sizable Bass showing plus some of the bigger species are still appearing during darkness, also as Sussex holds a wide variety of species which can be targeted presently there is plenty of reasons to get the rods out and give it a try.

Here are Worthing high tides times for the week ahead:

• Monday 3rd August: 02:39 (5.8m), 15:06 (5.9m)
• Tuesday 4th August: 03:15 (5.7m), 15:42 (5.8m)
• Wednesday 5th August: 03:56 (5.5m), 16:25 (5.6m) 
• Thursday 6th August: 04:45 (5.3m), 17:18 (5.3m)
• Friday 7th August:  05:48 (5.0m), 18:25 (5.1m)
• Saturday 8th August: 07:07 (4.8m), 19:46 (4.9m)

Yet more dry, sunny and hot weather during the past week with generally light winds meaning the sea has been calm and clear for majority of the time. Weed has been a slight issue generally to the west but is improving by the tide. Next week sees similar weather with brisk winds midweek before easing towards the weekend. 

During the past week or so catches of sizeable Bass are certainly increasing with numerous reports of fish throughout the region. When conditions allow lure fishing can be worthwhile especially at dawn and dusk plus baits including worms have accounted for plenty of fish along with some smaller Bass. Live baiting can pick out a few larger fish as can crab baits especially if they are peeling local to where you are fishing. 

This weekend saw an improvement to the local flatfish catches both in terms of numbers and size with some nice sized Plaice from the Marina along with a few Flounders and Sole. In general Shoreham though to Brighton Marina is the most consistent areas for catching flatties and Sole fishing can be worthwhile in darkness. 

Black Bream remain prolific with a mixture of size fish which can be caught in numbers both during the day or at night. Noted venues worth targeting them include Brighton Marina, Shoreham Harbour or beaches including Widewater and Selsey. Chichester Harbour holds good numbers of Gilt Head Breams of a decent size whereas the occasional smaller ones get caught from the beaches. 

Shoals of Mullet have been spotted again this week in shallow water from the beaches as well as being seen in the local rivers. Goldies can be caught from venues including Shoreham at the Burrells and Tide Mills at Newhaven using red rag as bait and Thin and Thick Lipped Mullet are most common in the rivers.

Brighton Marina has again seen Scads caught in darkness and occasional daytime catches of Mackerel. Scads have been caught in smaller numbers from Shoreham and are likely from Worthing Pier on evening tides. 

Night fishing has produced a few of the bigger species with some decent Smoothounds caught from Worthing Pier during a club event and a few Rays and Congers have been caught from the beaches although most Eels are small straps. Stingrays could still show from venues such as Ferring, Kingston Gorse or East Preston but are usually smaller fish than what turn up earlier in the spring.

Other occasional species caught locally are likely to include Red Mullet, Gurnards and Wrasse. Again, as its August it would not be unusual to see a Codling turn up with fish reported by inshore boats this past week.

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 which will include plenty of new items from Japan. 

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!