West Sussex Catch Report - 31st May 2026

Report by David Lewis

Good evening, despite the hot weather recently the fishing is still producing some good catch reports with increasing numbers of Smoothounds caught locally, plus there is a good variety of species showing both big and small so plenty for anglers to target so why not get out and give it a try. 

Here are Worthing high tides times for the week ahead:

• Monday 1st June: 00:22 (5.7m), 12:46 (5.6m)
• Tuesday 2nd June: 00:56 (5.6m), 13:24 (5.6m)
• Wednesday 3rd June: 01:29 (5.6m), 13:58 (5.5m) 
• Thursday 4th June: 02:02 (5.5m), 14:34 (5.4m)
• Friday 5th June:  02:38 (5.3m), 15:12 (5.3m)
• Saturday 6th June: 03:19 (5.1m), 15:55 (5.2m)

For most of the past week the weather has been hot and sunny with light winds although during the weekend the winds have picked up slightly bringing cooler temperatures. 

Smoothounds feature heavily in catches locally with fish showing up at the usual venues in the west plus good numbers of fish were caught at Lancing, Shoreham and Eastbourne mainly on the evening high tides. If the water colours up with any winds Hounds should show during the day and be more widespread. Fish up to around 13lb have been caught and to a variety of baits. When conditions are favourable a Tope could be a possibility at Selsey or Bracklesham.  Dogfish are still about but not in the quantities of a few weeks back. 

Bass catches are improving with both sizable and undersized fish being caught to both baits and on lures. Depending on venues different baits can be more successful than others with crab picking out some of the better fish with worms generally catching the smaller fish. Lure fishing has accounted for fish at low tide around both dawn and dusk whilst some venues tend to fish better around high tide. Depending on venues live baiting can work especially from the Marina, also Worthing Pier has plenty of Sand Smelt shoals and often fishing a live one can produce a few fish though most are generally Schoolies with the odd sizable. 

Black Bream continue to be caught throughout the region in good quantities with venues such as Widewater and Selsey producing good reports. Dependant on the venue Black Bream can often feed better on the night tides whereas some venues can fish better on the day tides. Generally small baits and size 4 or 6 hooks will improve your hook up rate. Also, a few Gilt Head Bream have been caught recently. 

A few Stingrays have been caught during the past week although other beach users have made beach fishing awkward whilst the weather was hot and sunny. The best recent fish was a superb one of 60lb. During the summer months smaller Stingers can show especially between Goring and East Preston and often are present till September whereas the bigger fish tend to move off soon.  There are also other species of Rays to be caught locally including Thornbacks and Undulates and even the occasional Small Eyed have appeared. 

When the weather is calm and the water has good clarity summer species such as Mackerel can show, unfortunately they do not seem to be in numbers or show as regularly compared to years gone by, but best chance would be dawn or dusk from either the Marina or Harbour. Garfish are another species which seem to be in decline in recent years with only the odd one caught from Worthing Pier so far. Brighton Marina can and has seen some good Wrasse to 3lb caught along with a few Pollock fishing down the side of the walls. Mullet are regularly seen in decent size shoals and Goldies could be possibly caught from Kingston Beach and around Shoreham whilst other species of Mullet are worth targeting from the rivers and structures such as the Marina. 

There are still flatties to catch locally with the area between Shoreham and Brighton probably the best spots to try with a mixture of small Plaice, odd Flounders, Dabs and Sole. Worm baits generally are best baits to use especially red rag and black lug. 

Many of the Congers being caught presently are straps although this week saw a big one caught from Brighton Marina and generally the better Eels in summer do tend to be from around the Marina although never discount Worthing Pier when the sea is rough and coloured. 

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!