West Sussex Fishing Report - 3rd August 2025

Report by David Lewis

Good evening, pleasingly there is evidence of a vast improvement with the fishing locally with numerous decent Bass landed and increasing catches of summer species, signs the weed is finally beginning to clear and with a decent weather forecast for the forthcoming week why not get the rods and give it ago. 

Here are Worthing high tides times for the week ahead:

• Monday 4th August: 07:43 (4.2m), 20:18 (4.4m)
• Tuesday 5th August: 09:06 (4.4m), 21:27 (4.6m)
• Wednesday 6th August: 10:04 (4.8m) 22:18 (5.0m)
• Thursday 7th August: 10:51 (5.2m), 23:03 (5.3m)
• Friday 8th August:  11:34 (5.6m), 23:45 (5.7m)
• Saturday 9th August: 12:16 (5.8m)

The weather has been mixed for the last week with sunshine, thunderstorms, cloud and rain but for most of the week the winds have remained light although they turned brisk on Sunday. The water has had good clarity and its noticeable the weed is clearing from many venues. 

There have been some good Bass catches within the last week with fish to 8lb caught locally and fish have been caught from many venues and to differing methods and state of tide to catch them. Shoreham Harbour seems to have produced the greater number of better sized fish, but fish have shown from Brighton Marina as well as local beaches with fish caught both at low and high water as well as to both lures and baits. Lure fishing has been worthwhile fishing at dawn or dusk, and live baiting can account for some big fish whilst worms generally finds the Schoolies. 

The Mullet seems to have come on the feed recently with fish regularly being caught from the rivers and beaches. 
Golden Grey Mullet have shown from Shoreham beach and the Harbour mainly to red rag baits fished in clear water and the rivers have also seen some good reports with fish up to almost 4lb. When the clarity is good with calm water Mullet shoals can often be spotted around structures such as Brighton Marina and Worthing Pier and in the rivers. 

Black Bream shoals are still prolific from most venues with a mixture of size fish being caught but numbers of small fish are slowly on the increase. Brighton Marina, Worthing Pier and Shoreham Harbour are good places to target Black Bream plus Gilt Head Bream can show at certain venues. 

The flatfish fishing is producing plenty of small Plaice, occasional Flounders and a few Soles in darkness. Best chance of catching flatties is as usual from venues from Shoreham through to Brighton to worm baits. 

Not much to report regarding Mackerel with a few caught from Brighton Marina and occasionally from Shoreham and some Scad can be caught at dawn and dusk from both venues. Garfish should feature in catches more regularly in the next month or so and all three species presence often depends on the bait fish they prey on. 

With the weed starting to ease there have been a few more catches of Rays from local beaches with Undulates, Thornbacks and Stingrays all still viable targets. Best venues to target Undulates include Bognor, Pagham, Shoreham and Lancing whilst Thornbacks have been appearing throughout the region but mostly small. Stingers, although by their standards are considered babies are still showing with fish to 8lb recently caught. 

Smoothound numbers seem to be thinning out with majority of fish caught being small with the occasion better fish caught from Selsey. Tope remains a possible catch again from Selsey as well as Bracklesham to fish baits. Most Congers that are being caught lately seem to very small straps but there always is a realistic chance of the odd bigger Eel appearing anywhere especially in darkness. 

Summer species such as Gurnards and Red Mullet have been caught lately and other species showing include Wrasse, Dogfish, Pout and Silver Eels. As mentioned previously the first of the Codling should appear locally soon. 

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.