West Sussex Catch Report - 5th January 2025

Report by David Lewis

Good evening, firstly we would like to wish a Happy New Year to all our customers and despite the fishing being rather repetitive, you can always depend on Whiting and Dogfish to keep the rod tips rattling and what better way to start the new year than going fishing so why not grab the rods and give it a try. 
Here are Worthing high tides times for the week ahead:

• Monday 6th January: 03:36 (5.7m), 15:51 (5.4m)
• Tuesday 7th January: 04:30 (5.5m), 16:50 (5.2m)
• Wednesday 8th January: 05:28 (5.4m), 17:54 (5.0m)
• Thursday 9th January: 06:30 (5.2m), 19:03 (4.9m)
• Friday 10th January:  07:37 (5.2m), 20:12 (5.0m)
• Saturday 11th January: 08:41 (5.4m), 21:17 (5.3m) 

There have been some strong winds during the weekend and on New Years Day but there have also been times where there has been little to no wind at all. The strong winds continue at the start of next week, but a colder spell is expected midweek onwards with winds moving to a northerly direction.  
 
During the past month or so due to the regular storms with strong winds means vast areas of local seabed has been stripped of sand and the majority of Worthing is now rocky as has large parts of Lancing beach. 

Featuring most in the local catches are Whiting which can be caught both during the day and at night whilst the water is coloured with plenty of reasonably sized fish. Certain areas seem to hold larger number of Whiting than others and they will be caught to most baits. Whiting can be used as live baits with the possibility of hooking a Conger or Bass especially from Worthing Pier or Shoreham west arm. 

Dabs have slowly been increasing in numbers and this should continue during the next couple of months. Dabs are usually caught more frequently from the sandy beaches in East Sussex although they can show occasionally in West Sussex. The local rivers are still capable of some decent Flounder fishing with the more regular catches made during darkness from the River Adur to baits such as White or Red Rag. Flounders will also be caught on local beaches mainly by anglers targeting an early Plaice which if conditions allow should appear later this month from beaches at Shoreham, Hove and Brighton. 

As usual for January Rockling numbers increase with some showing to small worm baits from the beaches and Pier and surprisingly a few have been caught quite far up the River Adur. 

Dogfish are likely from most venues with the slight possibility of a small Bull Huss in amongst them. Best venues would be Worthing Pier or beaches at either Pagham or Selsey although they should appear throughout the region whilst the water is dirty. Bait such as Squid or Mackerel increase your chances of catching Dogs.

Although the conditions lately seem ideal there has been a lack of some of the bigger species such as Undulate Rays and Congers although very small Straps do seem regularly caught. The usual run of bigger Eels moving inshore following the Whiting shoals does not seem to be happening this winter though there still is a possibility of a bigger Eel appearing. Thornbacks could return from venues such as Eastbourne towards the end of the month.

A few Bass are still being caught, mainly small although there are a few sizable fish coming out and will when the sea is coloured and choppy. Some fish still likely to be in the local rivers in the lower stretches.

Again, not many other species are likely to feature in local catches but a possibility of the occasional Silver Eels especially from the rivers, Pouting, and possibly Herring once the sea clears at deeper water venues. The local netters inshore are still surprisingly catching a few summer species and on Saturday’s landings they caught a few Black Bream, Mackerel, Smoothounds reasonably close inshore although in no real numbers before the winds got up again. 

Prime Angling 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 feel free to 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!