SELSEY EAST/WEST BEACH
Selsey is unique in that it has south-west and south-east facing beaches within minutes of each other meaning that if conditions (wind/weed) are difficult on one side, the other is usually very fishable.
West Beach has seen lots of changes over the last decade or so with a flood relief estuary and very large rock groins being introduced, to protect Bunn leisure caravan site from flooding. Although at first, it seemed to have a very detrimental effect on the fishing, in recent years it appears everything has settled down and the fishing is better than ever, with most species of Rays, Smoothhounds, Bass, Bream and Tope to 50lb all being caught in the warmer months.
Top tips:
The coastguard end (west) is favoured as the tide pull towards the point (east) is incredibly strong as it begins to flood.
Beware of clay mounds in the first bay to the right of the coastguard tower, the left-hand half of this bay has lots of clay mounds that just love taking your tackle.
East Beach is a very versatile beach that can throw up fish at any stage of the tide, which means you don’t have to wait for the tide times to play ball like other locations. Saying that you do have to keep an eye on the size of the tides. Low to mid-range tides are fine but as they begin to grow into the bigger tides it can be very difficult to fish the last hour of the flood and over high tide due to the very strong current pull, and the high sea level crashing up and over the sea wall, so be careful, East Beach must be respected especially on these big tides.
It’s particularly good for Bream from the spring onwards, Rays and Bass all year round, and in truth, it could throw anything up, Cod, Wrasse, Congers, Flatfish, Smoothhounds, Tope, Mullet, Mackerel, Whiting or Dogfish, the list goes on.
Top tips:
Coloured water is definitely something to look for when targeting this beach. After a big southerly or easterly blow, this beach turns very coloured which acts as a magnet to the fish, often fishing incredibly well in these conditions, as fish come in close to explore the murky waters.
40-80 yards seems to be the fish zone on this beach, with the water shallowing after this distance. Tide pull and snags (old moorings, stray pots and buoys) become a problem further out so a gentle lob is all it takes.