Fishing at Littlehampton West Beach & East Bank
Where the River Arun meets the sea - West Beach's dune-backed sand and the harbour's East Bank both fish well for bass and mullet, with the river mouth itself the standout spot on the push of the tide.
📍 View on the mapWhat you can catch → Full fish guide
| Species | Season | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | Apr-Nov | Lures or bait at the river mouth and along West Beach |
| Grey Mullet | May-Sep | Float-fished bread around the harbour and East Bank |
| Flounder | Oct-Feb | Small hooks, worm bait, upriver of the harbour |
| Smooth-Hound | Jun-Sep | Peeler crab fished on the bottom |
| European Eel | Summer | Worm bait fished static in the harbour |
Tactics
West Beach is a proper open sand-and-dune venue best fished for bass on the push of tide, especially where the current runs past the harbour mouth. The East Bank side of the river gives calmer, harbour-style fishing - float tackle for mullet on the up-tide side of the Tesco footbridge, or ledgered crab for smoothhound and bass in summer. Flounder move upriver as the weather cools into autumn and winter.
Best tide: Flood, especially around the river mouth · Best time: Summer evenings for bass/hounds; winter for flounder
Dogs
No verified source. Check current signage and the relevant authority.
Access & parking
West Beach Car Park is right by the dunes; East Bank is a short walk from the harbour and town. Sat-nav: BN17 5DL.Get directions → Family rating: ★☆☆ — Good mix of open beach and calmer harbour-side fishing, with cafés and amenities nearby, though check the seasonal dog zone if bringing one along.
FAQs
Is Littlehampton beach dog friendly?
There's a seasonal ban (1 May-30 Sep) between East Pier and Norfolk Road under Arun District Council's PSPO; West Beach further out is generally unaffected.
Where's the best spot for bass at Littlehampton?
The river mouth, fished on the push of the flood tide, is the most consistent bass spot here.
Nearby marks
Bognor Regis Pier · Worthing Pier · Selsey Bill
Last updated 16 July 2026 — sources & disclaimer
Compiled from angling guides, forums and the relevant council's dog byelaws, cross-checked where possible.
Rules and conditions change, so always check current signage and tides before you go. We do our best to keep this accurate but can't promise it's error-free.