BRACKLESHAM/WITTERINGS
Bracklesham is a very easy beach to fish, it’s flat, shallow and sandy with very few snags and little tide pull.
In recent years it’s emerged as the go-to beaches to catch a tope with a few being caught (and lost) each year to 45lb+. Although chances of catching these beasts aren’t all that common with many blank nights having to be endured before a lucky few get their opportunity to land one of the very best beach captures possible in the UK.
Though unpredictable in recent years this beach is also one of the very best in the country to do battle with the brilliant and very popular Smoothhounds, these have been caught to 20lb, and some nights in huge numbers. When they really turn up, it’s chaos!!!
In the last few years, the Ray population has exploded on our local beaches and Bracklesham is now seeing the benefits of this, with Smalleyes, Thornbacks, and Undulates making more appearances with every year that passes.
It’s also a great beach to target specimen bass that hunt along shallow coast, with specimens up to and over 10lb being caught in recent years.
Top tips:
Low tide should not be dismissed on this beach, although you’ll need waders to take advantage. Being a shallow beach you can wade out up to 50yards to cast allowing you to fish at a serious distance especially on the flooding tide.
Set up at the top of the beach. This very shallow beach flood very quickly. The sea reclaims the beach at a very fast rate so to save lots of moves. Start at the top and walk down to cast. It’ll be at your feet in no time.
The car park is handy to leave the car, but a walk up the beach is advised as this is a very popular spot with horse riders, dog walkers, and surfers, so for an easier trip, the further you walk the less chance of interruption.
The Witterings are very popular with holidaymakers, which make them not so popular with anglers. This beautiful shallow sandy section of the beach makes for a lovely family day out, but not so good fishing with surfers and swimmers aplenty there is every reason for the fish not to be there. although if you follow the sand dunes into the entrance of the harbour, you’ll arrive at East Head. This stunning section of the beach can be a good spot to find a few Bass on Bait, Lure or the Fly, it doesn’t get quite as busy as the previous section as its a good 15-minute walk but well worth it. a little section of paradise on our doorsteps.
Top tips:
Be careful if entering the water, there are strong tides here on the flood and very unpredictable depths underfoot.
Lots of boats moor up here to soak up the sun, so steering clear of these and finding a quieter spot will certainly pay off for your catch rates.