There are loads of good fishing spots in Brighton. Here, you’ll find helpful and concise information for some of the most popular fishing locations, along with the types of fish you can catch at different times of the year, such as Mackerel, Whiting, Plaice, and more. This article also includes tips from locals on Brighton parking and nearby tackle shops, so you can easily plan your fishing trip.
This useful guide is focused on providing helpful information related to fishing from the land (beaches, shores, piers). If you’re looking for boat fishing tours, those are available from Brighton Marina if you’re interested in deeper water trips.
🐟 Don’t forget to check out this helpful spreadsheet of Brighton Fish Species that you can catch too!
Here are some of the top fishing spots in Brighton and Hove:
Brighton Marina – Sea Fishing Mark
Brighton Marina is the most popular fishing destination in the city as it’s set-up very well, offering anglers easy access to deep waters and a wide variety of species throughout the year. The Marina has two primary fishing spots: the East Arm and the West Arm. The East Arm, the longer of the two, is known for its sandy seabeds, while the West Arm offers a rockier bottom, perfect for targeting different species depending on the time of year.
You can expect to catch a variety of fish here, including Garfish, Mackerel, Pollack, Mullet, Bass, Dogfish, Gurnard, Pouting, Sole, Whiting, and Cod. Summer is particularly good for Mackerel, Garfish, and Pollack, while autumn sees an increase in Whiting and Cod. Some of the most effective baits are ragworm, lugworm, peeler crab, and fish strips.
Helpful tips for Brighton Marina:
Tickets: To fish at Brighton Marina, you need a ticket which you can get from the Tackle Box, located at the Marina. They sell day tickets for access to the East and West Arms. A valid fishing ticket is required for all anglers, and even spectators on the lower levels must have a ticket. Prices are generally affordable, with a day ticket costing around £6-£7, subject to change.
Parking: There is free parking available at the Marina’s multi-storey car park, but avoid parking near the café on the East Arm as fines are strictly enforced. Make sure to use the multi-storey and pay attention to ticketing requirements to avoid issues.
Night Fishing at Brighton Marina: The Marina is also open for night fishing, providing an entirely different experience. Night fishing at Brighton Marina typically starts at 6 pm and runs through the night, with fishing allowed until 6 am the following day. Keep in mind that the Marina operates on a day and night session system, so if you arrive before 6 pm, you’ll need to purchase a day ticket. After 6 pm, a night fishing ticket is required.
It’s always a good idea to check with The Tackle Box or the Marina for any specific rules or potential closures before you go.
Worthing Pier
Just a short trip from Brighton, Worthing Pier offers a more relaxed fishing experience. With plenty of space, it’s great for both beginners and experienced anglers. You can catch species like Mackerel, Plaice, Sole, and Bass. Worthing has a quieter, more local feel compared to Brighton, making it a peaceful spot to fish.
Helpful tips for Worthing Pier:
Tackle Shop: Tropicana Angling in Worthing offers a wide range of gear and bait, including fresh and frozen options.
Public Toilets: Located nearby along the promenade for easy access.
Parking: Paid parking is available near the pier. Free parking can be found in residential areas a bit further out if you get there early. Though it may require a 10-15 minute walk.
Brighton & Hove Beaches
For shore fishing, Brighton & Hove Beaches offer plenty of opportunities. From February onwards, these beaches can produce good-sized Plaice, especially in clear seas and settled weather. As the summer progresses, the beaches can become crowded with tourists, making evening fishing the best option for species like Mackerel, Plaice, Sole, Bass, and Eels. If the wind picks up, Bass can be caught in the surf at both high and low tides, and there’s even the possibility of landing an Undulate Ray.
In the winter months, the beaches continue to produce, with Whiting, Codling, Rockling, and Flounders being the main targets.
Parking: Parking along the coast road can be expensive and varies by location, so plan ahead and arrive early to secure a spot.
Basin Road South (Southwick Beach)
For anglers looking for a quieter, more secluded spot, Basin Road South (also known as Southwick Beach) is a great choice. Access is from Hove, near the lagoon. This stretch of beach offers good fishing opportunities, particularly behind the large wall where it’s often less crowded.
The area near Carats Café can get busier (though good for grabbing a coffee or a snack, especially on cold days when you need a warm-up). Further along, you’ll find more isolated spots to set up and fish. The deeper waters here are good for catching Mackerel, Plaice, and other species depending on the time of year and conditions.
Helpful tips for Basin Road South:
Tackle Shop: While there isn’t a dedicated tackle shop nearby, you can head to ‘Dave’s Tackle’ in Hove for any fishing supplies or bait before heading to the beach.
Public Toilets: There are no public toilets directly on Basin Road South, but Carats Café has facilities for customers.
Parking: Free parking is available along Basin Road South, with plenty of space near the lagoon and along the roadside, making it easy to access the fishing spots.
Pevensey Bay
Located further along the coast, past Eastbourne, Pevensey Bay is well-known as a popular fishing destination. The beach here offers excellent fishing, particularly if fishing for Bass, Sole, and Plaice. The sloping beach allows for easy access, and the deeper waters mean there’s always a good chance of catching something. Pevensey Bay tends to be quieter than Brighton and is a great spot for anglers looking for a peaceful day of fishing.
Helpful tips for Pevensey Bay:
Tackle Shop: Angler’s Den is a highly recommended tackle shop located in Pevensey Bay, offering a wide range of bait and tackle, as well as friendly local advice.
Public Toilets: There are public toilet facilities located along the beachfront, making it convenient for anglers spending the day by the water.
Parking: Pevensey Bay has free parking along the beach road, offering easy access to the fishing spots.
Fishing Shops in Brighton
Before heading out to fish, you’ll need the right gear and bait. Brighton has several fishing shops where you can stock up on everything you need for a successful day by the water:
The Tackle Box Brighton
📍 The West Quay, Brighton Marina, BN2 5UT
📞 01273 696477
Located at The West Quay, Brighton Marina, BN2 5UT, The Tackle Box is your go-to for fishing gear, bait, and advice. They offer fresh local bait daily, which can be pre-ordered by phone.
Opening hours: Open 7 days a week in summer (7am-5pm weekdays, with slightly longer hours on Saturdays and shorter on Sundays), they also adjust hours in winter.
Lagoon Bait and Tackle
📍 327 Kingsway, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 4LD
📞 01273 415879
Lagoon is Brighton & Hove’s largest tackle shop that’s been around since 1968. The friendly and knowledgeable team offer advice and a wide range of gear for Coarse, Carp, Sea, Lure, Boat, and Fly fishing.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday (9am-4pm) and Sunday (9am-12pm).
Prime Angling
📍 26 Marine Parade, Worthing, BN11 3PT
📞 01903 821594
Established in 1988, Prime Angling is a well-known retailer of fishing tackle and bait in Worthing. Over the years, the shop has grown into a highly regarded destination for sea and freshwater anglers. Owned by George Cunningham since 2017, Prime Angling is home to one of the most successful sea match fishing teams in the country, having won the National Sea League multiple times. Open for all your fishing needs, with a rich history in competitive angling.
Opening hours: Saturday 8am-5pm, Sunday 8am-4pm, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm
Bait Bucket Tackle Warehouse
📍 Avis Way Industrial Estate, Newhaven, BN9 0DU
📞 01273 933050
A massive 3,500 square foot tackle warehouse offering over 75 leading brands for Carp, Course, Match, Sea, and Predator fishing. Stocking a wide variety of bait and tackle, including 12 types of blast frozen dead baits. Friendly, knowledgeable staff are on hand to help, and if they don’t have what you need, they’ll do their best to source it.
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm (Thurs until 6pm). Sat: 9am-5pm. Sun: Closed
Scotties Fishing Tackle
📍 25 Southwick Square, Southwick, Brighton, BN42 4FP
📞 01273591657
Scotties is a local favourite, Scotties Fishing Tackle is run by Scott, a knowledgeable and friendly angler who’s always happy to chat and help. Whether you need gear, rod repairs, or advice on getting started, they’ve got you covered. Known for going above and beyond to assist customers.
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 5am-8pm, Sat: 5am-8pm, Sun: 6am-6pm.
Important – Fishing catch limits and size regulations, UK
These regulations are put in place to protect overfished species, and linking to them promotes responsible fishing that supports conservation efforts.
These links provide anglers with up-to-date, accurate information on legal fishing limits and restrictions, helping you avoid fines or penalties while staying within the law. By following catch limits and guidance on species like Bass, anglers contribute to the sustainability of fish populations and the long-term health of local ecosystems.
More Helpful Resources for Fishing in Brighton and Hove
The Tackle Box Brighton – Blog
This is a very up to date blog (as of September 2024) with posts sometimes as often as daily. Here you can get valuable information on what people are catching, as well as little competitions that they run, such as the current ‘Squid comp’ at the time of putting this together.
Brighton Catch Report – Sea Fishing
This is a regularly updated log of notable catches by Brighton Inshore Fishing, who offer a boat and guided fishing tour. This can be a helpful resource if you’re interested to know what catches are available at certain times of the year (in deep water).
Commercial and recreational fishing – GOV UK
Here you can find some top level information relating to the laws of fishing in the UK. This is sometimes useful if you’re night fishing and get questions from members of the public / security etc.
Helpful FAQs, Fishing in Brighton and Hove
Is Brighton good for fishing?
Yes, Brighton is very good for fishing, there is a wide range of species throughout the year. You can catch Mackerel, Bass, Whiting, Cod, and more, making it a popular spot for anglers along both the beaches and at Brighton Marina. There are also some great fishing tackle shops in Brighton.
What fish can I catch in Brighton?
You can catch a variety of fish in Brighton and this varies by season and conditions. To give an idea from spring to autumn: Mackerel, Plaice, Bass, Black Bream, Smoothhound, Tope, Bull Huss, Cod, Whiting and more. These fish are all possible to catch off Sussex, Brighton and Shoreham.
When can you catch Mackerel in Brighton?
Mackerel season runs from early May to late October in Brighton, though Mackerel can be caught in other months too. Popular methods include Spinning, Feathering, and Float Fishing.
Is it safe to eat fish caught in Brighton?
Generally, yes, it is safe to eat fish caught in Brighton. Local restaurants often purchase fresh fish from local fishermen, and the water quality in the area is typically good for recreational fishing. However, it’s important to consider the type of fish. Larger predatory fish, such as sharks and bass, may accumulate more pollutants compared to smaller, non-predatory species.
Is Brighton a fishing town?
While Brighton is no longer primarily a fishing town, its history is deeply rooted in the fishing industry. For over 700 years, fishing was the mainstay of Brighton’s economy, with 400 men and 80 boats making up the largest fishing fleet on the south coast. Herring and mackerel were among the key catches. Today, fishing still plays a part in the local culture, with some commercial fishing and plenty of recreational angling from the marina, beaches, and piers. The legacy of Brighton’s fishing heritage remains a proud part of its identity. Brighton is still good for recreational fishing today, but the economy nowadays is primarily fuelled by tourism.
How do I get into fishing in Brighton?
You can start fishing in Brighton by buying a starter kit from a local fishing tackle shop like Scotties Fishing Tackle or The Tackle Box on the Mariner. They will help set up your rod. You can also ask for advice from friendly anglers at Brighton Marina. Watching YouTube tutorials on sea fishing in the UK is also a great way to learn the basics. Keep things simple with an easy setup and take notes on your tackle and bait combinations to track your progress over time.
Can you fish in Brighton?
Yes, you can fish in several spots around Brighton, including Brighton Marina, the beaches, and piers. Popular locations include Brighton Marina’s East and West Arms, as well as the shores along Brighton & Hove.
Tight lines!
Brighton is home to a rich and diverse fishing scene, with something to offer for anglers of all experience levels. Whether you’re fishing from the Marina, the beaches, or a more secluded spot like Basin Road South, you’re sure to have a rewarding experience. Keep an eye on the tides, use the right bait, and don’t forget to check the weather before heading out for what could be a rewarding day of fishing. We hope this Brighton fishing guide was helpful!
Be sure to check local conditions and regulations before your trip, and stay up to date on what’s biting!
Thanks for reading Brighton Bites Back! And yes, we do want to see photos of your best catch, so send them in 🙂
Based in Brighton since 2023, Mitch is all about uncovering hidden gem restaurants and supporting independents over chains. With a seasoned palate developed from years of eating out, he’s your go-to for discovering the best local spots.
