West Sussex Fishing Report - 23rd February 2025

Good evening, despite the fishing often being challenging this time of year there are still plenty of species worth targeting, both big and small and there is enough of the smaller fish to keep the rod tips rattling and with some decent tides approaching and hopefully an improvement with the weather why not get the rods out and give it a try. 

Here are Worthing high tides times for the week ahead:

• Monday 24th February: 08:12 (4.4m), 20:52 (4.7m)
• Tuesday 25th February: 09:11 (4.9m), 21:42 (5.3m)
• Wednesday 26th February: 09:58 (5.4m), 22:28 (5.7m)
• Thursday 27th February: 10:42 (5.8m), 23:13 (6.1m)
• Friday 28th February:  11:26 (6.2m), 23:56 (6.3m)
• Saturday 1st March: 12:08 (6.3m) 

Again, the weather for the past week has again been cloudy, chilly and rather dull with light easterlies although from Friday the winds switched round to the southwest and increased causing the sea to become choppy and coloured. The winds are expected to continue until late Monday and the rest of next week looks much more settled. 

A positive is surprisingly a few double figure Congers have shown recently locally caught mainly from the beaches in both the daytime and at night. A few smaller straps are also likely so using bigger fish baits could catch a decent sized Eel when the sea is coloured and choppy. 

Conditions over the last few days has meant a return of both Dogfish and Whiting from various venues. Both species will still be caught throughout Sussex with more fish likely to show if the water is coloured and will be caught on most baits. 

Dabs continue to be show from East Sussex beaches such as Seaford, Eastbourne and Pevensey and will be caught in coloured water and the occasional Dabs can be caught from Shoreham and Lancing to worm baits with black lug probably the best option. 

With big tides next weekend if the wind is light and the water clarity improves enough Plaice could show again from venues such as Brighton, Hove, Seaford, Shoreham and Eastbourne. With Plaice fishing casting at distance usually improves your chances of better results. Ideally big tides with clear water would be the perfect conditions for targeting Plaice with worm baits such as black lug or king rag.

Flounders have and will be caught from most beaches although in small numbers and there could be the possibility of a few fish in the local rivers especially during darkness. 
 
Presently the best chance of catching a Ray is most likely to be a Thornback with venues such as Eastbourne, Seaford, Hove, Pagham all likely to produce the odd fish with numbers usually increasing this time of year. Unfortunately, Undulate Rays seem very scarce although still a possible catch with Selsey east beach possibly worth a try. The occasional Small Eyed has also shown and can be caught randomly throughout the region.

Some nice sized Bass have been caught during the week along with a few smaller fish. All Bass are still currently catch and release only, see accompanying picture for details. Springtime often sees Bass taking baits such as crab and the lower stretches of the river can see some good fish show. 

Other species that could feature in catches will include Rockling to small worm baits, Silver Eels and Pout. 

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!

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