West Sussex Catch Report - 5th July 2026

Report by David Lewis

Good evening, the fishing at present can be best described as steady, there certainly is a wide range of species featuring in catches locally but with the recent warm weather, anglers are finding night fishing is often providing better results but even during the daytime there is enough to keep the rod tips moving so why not get out and give it a try. 

Here are Worthing high tides times for the week ahead:

• Monday 6th July: 03:42 (5.4m), 16:14 (5.5m)
• Tuesday 7th July: 04:28 (5.2m), 17:02 (5.4m)
• Wednesday 8th July: 05:22 (5.1m), 17:58 (5.2m) 
• Thursday 9th July: 06:25 (5.0m), 19:01 (5.2m)
• Friday 10th July:  07:33 (4.9m), 20:08 (5.2m)
• Saturday 11th July: 08:44 (5.1m), 21:15 (5.4m)

Although not as hot as the previous week the weather for the past week has been mainly warm and sunny with light winds although the winds did increase through the weekend. Next week is looking like temperatures are set to increase again and be hot and sunny again with brisk variable winds at times. 

Smoothounds made a return this weekend locally with some good catches of fish to around 12lb, mostly at night with the odd fish showing in the daytime too. Brighton Marina continues to see some Hounds mainly due to the spider crabs peeling inshore. Venues such as Bracklesham and Selsey are usually reliable for Hounds during darkness along with the possibility of a Tope. 

It is the time of year where the Mullet start figuring more in local catches and Goldies have been caught from Tidemills at Newhaven and a few from Shoreham beaches. Plenty of Mullet have been seen cruising in the shallows from local beaches and in the rivers. Denton Island at Newhaven has produced some Mullet in the Ouse and Brighton Marina and Shoreham Harbour can see different species of Mullet.

There are plenty of the smaller summer species showing locally with lots of small Black Bream, occasional Gilt Head Bream, Gurnards, Red Mullet and Wrasse.

Mackerel fishing is still generally poor bar the occasional reasonable day on the Marina, Scad however are showing at night mainly from Brighton but will soon appear at Shoreham and Worthing and Garfish are very scarce.

Not much to report regarding Rays recently although they are still a viable target locally with Stingrays still a possible catch from Goring through to Selsey and Thornbacks and Undulates can be caught throughout the region although Hove, Bognor, Pagham and Selsey are likely to offer the best chance to catch one especially during darkness. 

There are still some good-sized Bass being caught and depending on where you are fishing the tactics to be successful can alter. Brighton has seen a lot of fish caught to spider crab baits whereas further west lures seem to have accounted for more fish. Low tide luring at dawn or dusk when there is good clarity can get good results. Worms will pick out mainly Schoolies and live baiting can produce the odd large fish. 

Anglers targeting flatfish are finding increasing numbers of Soles to worm baits at venues around Shoreham and Brighton, small Plaice are still about along with the odd Flounder and Dabs. 

Oddly Silver Eels have been caught in reasonable numbers lately and some of a good size despite the decline in recent years. There are plenty of small Congers caught in darkness with the odd, better fish showing but most straps are around the 1-2lb mark. 

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!