Sussex has a wealth of different fishing opportunities covering most angling disciplines.
The local coast offers beach fishing ranging from the shallow, sandy beaches at Littlehampton to the steeply shelved stony beaches at Beachy Head.
Throughout this length, there are many breakwaters, piers and groynes which are popular locations.
Breakwaters include Brighton Marina and Shoreham Harbour both of which produce good mixed bags.
Piers include Eastbourne and Worthing.
Notable shore marks are beaches at Worthing, Hove, Peacehaven, Seaford and Beachy Head.
Boats may be booked from Littlehampton, Shoreham, Brighton Marina, Newhaven and Eastbourne.
All three of the main Sussex rivers have an annual run of seat trout, as has been previously mentioned, those in the Ouse are reported to have the highest average size of the whole UK. Further up towards the chalk and forest streams, there are native brown trout. There are several reservoirs in Sussex that offer excellent trout fishing from both shore and boat as well as many other day-ticket fisheries aimed at the game fisherman.
Sussex has a large number of freshwater venues available ranging from shallow, fast streams to tidal rivers, estate lakes, ponds reservoirs and purpose made fisheries. Historically, the prosperity of Sussex was built upon the iron, brickmaking and agricultural trades. The large number of "hammer ponds" in Sussex bears witness to the proliferation of iron working in the county. Many of the rivers were "improved" for transportation and canals dug- the Arun and Wey canal which is now subject to renovation, was to be the link between Sussex and London. There are three main rivers in Sussex, the Adur, Arun and the Ouse additionaly there is also the Cuckmere and the Eastern and Western Rothers.
The Adur is made from the confluence of two separate streams the Western Adur rises in Slinfold and runs through Shipley and West Grinstead. The Eastern Adur originates on Ditchling Common and runs between Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath. The two streams join at Henfield and run on to join the sea at Shoreham.
The Arun runs from St.Leonards forest near Horsham to Littlehampton and is the second fastest flowing river in the country. The Western Rother joins the Arun at Stopham. There are several canals which are subordinate to the Arun-ie, the Petworth canal and The Wey and Arun canal. Up until the 15th century, the Arun and Adur shared a common estuary . Longshore drift separated the outlets during the 16th century and the Arun was artificially "improved" as a commercial waterway during the end of the 16th century.
The Ouse is the second largest river in Sussex deriving its name from the original pronunciation of the town Lewes (originally pronounced Loos ) through which it flows. The main sources of the Ouse are small forest streams that drain the high weald area south of Crawley. One of the streams, the Shell brook, was dammed in the 20th century to produce Ardingly Reservoir. Other notable streams that drain into the Ouse are the Bevern and Northend derived from springs in the Sussex downs chalk and the Pellingford Brook that is sourced south of Haywards Heath. The River Uck, draining forest area around Hurstwood, Framfields and Ridgewood is the main tributary of the Ouse joining it at Isfield. The original outlet for the Ouse was in Seaford but was changed by man made cutting in the 16th century around which the port of Newhaven developed. It is reported that the sea trout in the Ouse have the highest average weight of any in the UK.
The Cuckmere is sourced above Heathfield, its name meaning "fast flowing" and joins its principal tributary the Bull River at Hellingly. Its estuary is at Cuckmere Haven where to improve drainage of surrounding land, the river has been made to artificially meander. It is the only Sussex river which has not had its estuary developed.
The Eastern Rother is really a Kentish river but is mentioned as its source is near Heathfield.
Day ticket waters are located throughout the entire county but most waters are club controlled. Joining a local club offers the best value as for the cost of a few days out on a ticket water you get year round availability of many different waters.
We support the three clubs that are local to us:-
Hassocks and District Angling Society
Haywards Heath and District Angling Society
Henfield and District Angling Society.