West Sussex Fishing Report - 20th April 2025

Report by David Lewis

Good evening, we hope you are all enjoying the Easter weekend and pleasingly there are plenty of fish to catch plus lots of species to target locally so why not make the most of a decent weather forecast, reasonable tides for the week ahead, and give it a try and see what you can catch.  

Here are Worthing high tides times for the week ahead:

• Monday 21st April: 04:59 (4.4m), 18:04 (4.4m)
• Tuesday 22nd April: 06:41 (4.3m), 19:32 (4.6m)
• Wednesday 23rd April: 08:05 (4.5m), 20:42 (5.0m)
• Thursday 24th April: 09:06 (5.0m), 21:37 (5.5m)
• Friday 25th April:  09:57 (5.5m), 22:24 (5.9m)
• Saturday 26th April: 10:43 (5.9m), 23:09 (6.2m)

Last week the weather started off sunny and warm but as the week progressed the wind increased on occasions and with it spells of rain and cooler temperatures. The sea went from calm and flat to choppy, slightly coloured in places with shallower venues dirtier than the deeper water venues which have better water clarity. 
Last week saw the first reported Black Bream catches on rod and line with a fish caught from Brighton Marina, Worthing Pier and a couple from Pagham beach. Evening tides and settled conditions could see fish show from other venues such as Widewater and Selsey possibly and fish are usually a good size at this time of year. 

The flattie fishing remains consistent with some decent sized Plaice, Flounders and Dabs all continuing to be caught locally. Shoreham Harbour, Brighton Marina and their nearby beaches seemingly producing the better catches to worm baits such as black lug and king rag. Outside chance of a Sole from Shoreham, Hove or Brighton. 

Dogfish were caught in reasonable numbers from many venues both during the day and at night especially after the winds midweek which coloured the water up. Plenty of Pout have been caught from Newhaven and Brighton Marina and there are still “pin” Whiting showing locally. 

Again, there has been plenty of small Smoothounds caught although majority are below 1lb in weight there have been odd fish to 3lb plus some better fish have shown this weekend in Hampshire so possibly a few bigger fish could show in Sussex soon. 

A nice 21lb Conger was caught from the beach last week and a few other straps have also shown and can be targeted in darkness or when the sea is choppy and coloured. 

No reports of anymore Stingers caught after the first confirmed Stingray was caught locally the previous week. Numbers should slowly increase during late April and early May with venues from Climping, Bognor, Aldwick and Pagham all likely to produce fish with some exceptional fish likely from Bognor. 

Evening tides next week could see some Thornbacks and Undulate Ray caught with venues at Pagham, Bognor, Shoreham, Hove, Seaford and Eastbourne likely to produce the odd fish. 

When the water is calm and clear daytime fishing from structures can offer various species of Wrasse with Worthing Pier, Newhaven and Brighton Marina worth targeting them with different techniques, lures and baits.  

Local rivers seem to be holding vast shoals of Mullet with large numbers visible both on the surface and in the shallows. They have also been seen at the Marina and Worthing Pier. 

This year the Gar fishing seems very slow with Worthing Pier producing the odd fish whereas they usually have appeared in numbers by now. Bigger tides in clear water, tightlining small slivers of Mackerel mid-water near the pier structure should produce fish and are also a possibility from Shoreham Harbour and Brighton Marina. 

The choppy weather midweek saw a few sizable Bass caught along with a few Schoolies. Numbers of Bass should increase within the next month or so and lure fishing can account for good fish in right conditions both at low tide and high tide dependant on the venue and time of day. 

When the sea is next calm and clear with decent weather daytime fishing from the Harbour or Marina could see the odd Herring to Sabikis whilst the Marina could produce the odd Squid or Cuttle to Squid jigs. Sand Smelt have been seen around the landing stage at Worthing Pier and can make good live baits for Bass. 

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 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!