West Sussex Fishing Report - 9th February 2025
Good evening, the local fishing remains steady but hopefully if the water clarity improves a few more Plaice may show but if not, there are still plenty of other species being caught and soon the fishing should show signs of improvement so what better reasons for getting the rods out and giving it a try.
Here are Worthing high tides times for the week ahead:
- Monday 10th February: 09:40 (5.2m), 22:20 (5.4m)
- Tuesday 11th February: 10:35 (5.5m), 23:08 (5.7m)
- Wednesday 12th February: 11:19 (5.7m), 23:47 (5.9m)
- Thursday 13th February: 11:57 (5.8m)
- Friday 14th February: 00:24 (5.9m), 12:31 (5.9m)
- Saturday 15th February: 00:57 (5.9m), 13:03 (5.8m)
The weather recently has been mainly cloudy with drizzle at times with lightish winds predominately from a north easterly direction and the weather is expected to be similar for next week. The sea although reasonably calm is still taking a while for signs that the water clarity is improving.
Anglers during February are usually targeting flatfish which can show in good numbers at this time of year throughout the region with Plaice, Dabs and Flounders to catch.
Plaice are a species many anglers are waiting for although there are some showing, ideally the water needs to be a lot clearer and calm to see the fish move in good numbers and decent sized too. When the water is coloured, it usually makes Plaice fishing harder as there are many other species competing for the bait. Clear water reduces their competition and means baits can be left longer to find fish. Venues worth trying includes Shoreham, Hove, Brighton and Seaford.
Dabs have been plentiful mainly from East Sussex areas such as Seaford, Eastbourne and Pevensey but occasional ones are caught from Shoreham and Lancing.
During the past week or so it seems more Flounders are appearing from the beaches than the local rivers although the Adur may produce a few fish in darkness. Flounders are likely to be caught by anglers targeting Plaice with worm baits.
Most venues at present especially during darkness will have lots of Whiting although if the water clarity improves catches tend to decrease in daylight. Lots are small “pins” with the occasional better sized fish in amongst them.
Dogfish have been hit and miss with lots at some venues and seemingly none at others with fish baits fished in darkness improves your chances of catching one.
In other regions Thornbacks have been appearing in decent numbers but in Sussex they are yet to arrive in the quantities like this time last year. Eastbourne, Seaford, Pagham and Selsey are probably the best areas to target one with Pagham and Selsey possibly seeing the odd Undulate Ray show too.
Bass are currently catch and release only, see accompanying picture for details, but now not many have been caught anyway other than some Schoolies. The rivers could hold a few sizable fish in the lower stretches and always a chance of the odd, better sized fish from the shore.
Slim chance of a Conger Eel appearing with most likely to be small straps and other species that could feature in catches will include Rockling to small worm baits 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.
