If you’re on the Ouse or the Arun, the tide is your biggest enemy. When it starts pushing, it brings a forest of weed with it. Don't fight it—point your rods as high as they’ll go and use a 4oz gripper lead to keep that bait pinned. And check your hook every time you reel in; the gravel in these rivers is like glass and will blow your point in one cast. Keep it 'sticky sharp' or you’re just feeding the eels.
West Sussex is dominated by the River Arun, a moody, powerful river that is largely non-tidal around Billingshurst. This isn't a "pasty" water; the Arun holds proper wild carp to 30lb, pike to 26lb, and bream that regular hit the 7lb to 10lb mark. It’s hard fishing, but the rewards for the "river rovers" are huge.
The biggest stillwater in the county is Ardingly Reservoir. At 198 acres, it’s a massive drinking water supply that feels more like a wild lake. It’s famous for its pike (into the high 20s), but the carp stock has matured into a serious specimen target, with fish currently topping 39lb. For the "big fish" hunters, Furnace Lakes in Horsham is the heavyweight. It holds the British Origin Record catfish, a beast now estimated at 114lb, and mirrors pushing 50lb.
In East Sussex, the River Ouse at Barcombe Mills is the star. It’s a tidal beast, and catching it on the right tide is the difference between a blank and a red-letter day. It’s legendary for its "sea trout" and massive chub, but the barbel population has been bolstered by new stockings that are now pushing into double figures.
For the day-ticket lads, Wylands International in Battle is the main hub. It has nine lakes, but Maisies Lake is the one you want for the real heavy lifting—it holds catfish to over 70lb and a good head of specimen carp. If you’re looking for a quieter "old school" vibe, Furnace Brook in Hailsham offers a more peaceful specimen experience with carp to 25lb and tench over 5lb.