Garfish Fishing in East Sussex

East Sussex has 40 shore marks rated for garfish. They're ranked below by how strongly garfish show at each spot, with today's live conditions beside every mark — so you can pick a spot that's worth fishing right now, not just on paper.

When to go

In season now
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Best months: May–Oct · green months are prime, the outlined box is this month.

Tide Fish the flood

Time of day Daylight sessions fish best

Best garfish marks in East Sussex

Ranked by how strongly garfish show at each mark. The chip on the right is today's live fish forecast.

Brighton Marina East Arm Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

Take float-fished sandeel, mackerel strip or small surface lures in summer.

Eastbourne Pier Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

A summer surface feeder; fish a small float and size 6–10 hook with mackerel strip or sandeel well up in the water.

Brighton Beach Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

A summer surface species; float-fish small strips of mackerel, sandeel imitation or small lures beyond the first surf line.

Saltdean Beach Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

Take float-fished fish strips or small lures in calm, clear summer conditions.

Eastbourne Beach Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

A summer surface target; float-fish a small strip of mackerel, sandeel or a sliver of squid.

Rottingdean Beach Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

Take small float-fished fish strips, sandeel or feathers during settled summer conditions.

Brighton Marina West Arm Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

Fish float-fished mackerel strip or a small surface lure during warmer, calmer months.

Banjo Groyne Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

A float-fished strip of mackerel or a small surface lure works in summer, especially on a flooding tide.

Splash Point Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

Float-fish a small strip bait or thin sliver of mackerel high in the water during summer.

Beachy Head Ledges Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

Take a small strip bait or float-fished sandeel near the surface in calm summer conditions.

Ovingdean Beach Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

Often show in calm summer conditions; use a small float-fished strip of mackerel or sandeel.

Sovereign Harbour Outer Wall Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

A summer surface target when water is clear; use float-fished small fish strips or a slim lure.

Cow Gap Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

Common in summer when surface-feeding; use a float-fished strip of mackerel, sandeel or small baited hook.

Holywell Ledges Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

A summer surface feeder; float-fish a small strip of mackerel or use small, slow-retrieved lures.

Hope Gap Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

Often show with summer mackerel shoals; float-fish a small strip of mackerel or use a small surface lure.

Rock-a-Nore Beach Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

Common in settled summer weather; suspend a small strip bait or float-fished sandeel high in the water.

Bishopstone Beach Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

Common in settled summer weather; fish a small strip bait or tiny lure high in the water.

Seaford Beach Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

Present in summer around high water; float-fish small strips of mackerel or sandeel.

Black Rock Beach Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

Usually available in summer; suspend a small strip bait or float-fished mackerel strip high in the water.

Holywell Beach Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

Often accompany mackerel in warm months; use a small float and mackerel strip or a small surface lure.

Kemp Town Beach Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

Summer surface feeder; float-fish a small strip of mackerel or use a slim lure.

The Stade Reliable for garfish
Today 65 Good

A summer surface target; use a small strip bait beneath a float.

Hastings Beach Worth a try for garfish
Today 65 Good

A summer surface target; use a small float and fish strip, or cast light lures near the groynes.

West Marina Beach Worth a try for garfish
Today 65 Good

A summer surface-water visitor; suspend a small mackerel strip beneath a float near the groynes.

Warrior Square Beach Worth a try for garfish
Today 65 Good

Mainly summer, often over high water; use a small float-fished strip of mackerel or a light surface lure.

Plus 15 more rated marks — browse every mark in East Sussex.

Planning ahead? The live fish forecast map compares these marks across the week.

Tactics for garfish

Top baits, best first

  1. Garfish Strip
  2. Mackerel Strip
  3. Sabiki
  4. Micro Metal (LRF)

Rigs that work, best first

  1. Float (Sliding)
  2. Bombarda (Casting Float)
  3. Livebait Float Rig

Full tactics, seasonal detail and more baits are on the Garfish species guide.

Garfish fishing elsewhere