West Sussex Fishing Report - 21st September 2025

Report by David Lewis

Good evening, finally the weather has improved bringing with it calming and clearing seas which in turn should see the summer species return inshore and this is the time of year where there is a vast number of species present locally with catches differing in the day and night, clearer and dirtier water, you never can be sure what is on the end of your line so why not grab the rods and give it a go. 

Here are Worthing high tides times for the week ahead:

• Monday 22nd September: 00:14 (6.0m), 12:36 (6.1m)
• Tuesday 23rd September: 00:45 (6.0m), 13:06 (6.1m)
• Wednesday 24th September: 01:15 (6.0m) 13:34 (6.1m)
• Thursday 25th September: 01:45 (5.9m), 14:01 (6.0m)
• Friday 26th September:  02:13 (5.8m), 14:27 (5.8m)
• Saturday 27th September: 02:41 (5.5m), 14:53 (5.6m)

The weather for the past week is an improvement on recent weeks despite starting off wet and windy, midweek onwards has seen much more sunshine, lighter winds and next week is looking settled with winds coming from a northerly easterly direction. The sea conditions started off rough and choppy early last week before calming down and on occasions the water has cleared out on some tides and next week should see the water clarity continue to improve with offshore winds and bigger tides. The stringy weed is still present, but most venues have still been fishable. 

With the water likely to clear in the next few days daytime tides should see a return of most of the usual summer species. Saturday saw a few Gars and Mackerel show from Worthing Pier and as the water clarity improves so should the number of Gars and Mackerel. Scads will also show at dawn and dusk as well as being present all through darkness in clear water from the deeper venues. Depending on how long the settled period lasts, the longer it stays calm and clearer the better the chance of Squid moving in. 

Black Bream should make an appearance from places such as the Marina, Shoreham, Worthing Pier and Selsey east beach could produce some larger fish. Mullet are likely from Shoreham at the Burrells and Tide Mills at Newhaven to red rag baits and Mullet also could be caught from the local rivers and the Marina. Gurnards, Red Mullet, Wrasse are all possible catches too whilst there is settled seas with good clarity.

The past week has seen more Codling caught throughout the region and slightly bigger than recent weeks with a few over 5lb caught. Evening tides are likely to produce more Codling or fishing in the daytime where there is coloured water with baits such as lugworms and Squid. 

The conditions during the last few weeks with coloured water has brought in plenty of Dogfish and small Congers along with the odd better sized Eel and the next month or two should see an increase in large Eels especially when the Whiting turn up. Other fish showing include plenty of Pout, Silver Eels, small Hounds and the occasional Bullhuss.

Bass have continued to be caught with good numbers of sizable fish showing and this species can be caught in most conditions with just a case of altering tactics to target them. Bass have shown throughout the region and have been caught in rough seas to baits and possibly next week they could be taken on lures if the water clears enough. Bass can be caught to most baits with some venues finding some baits more successful than others. 

Undulate and Thornback Rays of various sizes have been caught with venues between Bognor and Selsey seeing the greater number of fish although venues such as Seaford, Hove and Lancing can all fish well especially at night. 

The improvement to the weather and calming seas means there is a chance of few better sized Plaice appearing which they often do at this time of year and again Shoreham through to Brighton will be the best venues to try for one. Later in the season it is not uncommon for a few Plaice to be caught in darkness although daytime produces the better catches generally with calm and clear water. Sole is likely to be caught at night along with a few Flounders and outside chance of a Dab. 

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.