West Sussex Fishing Report - 6th April 2025

Report by David Lewis

Good evening, another week where we are seeing an increase in the number of summer species and slowly the winter fish moving off, currently there is still a wide variety of fish to target locally and with good weather why not get out and give it ago. 

Here are Worthing high tides times for the week ahead:

• Monday 7th April: 07:58 (4.3m), 20:46 (4.7m)
• Tuesday 8th April: 09:16 (4.6m), 21:49 (5.1m)
• Wednesday 9th April: 10:12 (5.0m), 22:36 (5.4m)
• Thursday 10th April: 10:54 (5.3m), 23:15 (5.7m)
• Friday 11th April:  11:29 (5.6m), 23:48 (5.8m)
• Saturday 12th April: 12:02 (5.7m)

The weather during the past week has been mainly sunny with at times a brisk north easterly wind meaning its reasonably warm during the daytime and chilly at night. Next week similar weather is forecast with again plenty of sunshine and winds remain from a northeast direction. The sea has been slightly coloured inshore with clearer water a little further out. 

Firstly, some good news to start with is Worthing Pier landing stage has finally reopened for fishing.

During the past fortnight there has been a noticeable increase in the number of species appearing within our inshore waters and summer fish are slowly returning. 

The local rivers have seen vast shoals of Mullet recently with the occasional fish caught plus some have been seen around Worthing Pier. 

The inshore commercial boats have been catching boxes of decent sized Black Bream during the past week or so and the forthcoming evening tides at Widewater could see a few caught from beaches with Selsey and Pagham also likely to see fish appear soon. 

The first Garfish has been caught although they have been seen on the surface a few weeks previous, and numbers should increase during April before they disappear again usually by May. Worthing Pier is the best venue to target them although Shoreham Harbour and Brighton Marina also likely to see a few caught. 

Some Smoothounds have been caught on king rag baits in coloured water although only to just over 3lb from the local beaches. 

Plaice continue to show from the usual venues such as Brighton, Hove and Shoreham and again casting at range is likely to produce better catches. Most worm baits will account for some Plaice with clear water, a decent sized tide, making ideal daytime conditions for targeting Plaice. 

Flounders are being caught throughout the region to mainly worm baits, and some Dabs are a frequent catch from East Sussex beaches plus the occasional Sole has shown recently which have been good sized fish.  

It is approaching the time of year as the water warms up the number of Bass increases and lure fishing when the conditions are right can prove successful. Schoolies will also appear to worm baits with a few better fish likely to be caught on peeler crab. 

The evening tides next week should see Thornback Rays caught with slight chance of an Undulate Ray. Venues such as Eastbourne, Seaford, Hove, Bognor and Pagham are worth trying for a Thornback. Stingrays can be expected within the next few weeks with Climping, Bognor and Aldwick all likely places to see fish show. 

Another week where Dogfish seem very localised and have been caught in numbers at some spots such as Shoreham and Bognor yet at other venues, they seem scarce. Dogfish will be caught in darkness or whilst the water has colour. 

Anglers wishing to fish for smaller species using lighter gear have found Corkwing Wrasse from Worthing Pier plus the usual Blennies etc can be targeted fishing between the pier structure on the landing stage.

Herring are likely to be caught from Brighton Marina when the sea is flat and clear along with a slight chance of the odd Mackerel. Settled conditions could also mean Squid and Cuttlefish are worth targeting from the Marina.

Other species that could feature in catches will include Rockling, Whiting, Pout and possibly some Congers. 

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!