Sardines at Mboyti 13 April 2026 by Kurt
Sardines at Mboyti 13 April 2026 by Kurt You can bet your last bait that they’re almost here! Just when you thought the sards were playing hide and seek, silver flashes have started teasing the KZN and Eastern Cape coastlines. We’re talking about the advance guard, the scouts, the early risers of the great Sardine Run 2026. While the main shoal is still doing its thing down towards the Agulhas Bank, roughly 200-300 km off Cape Agulhas, these fractured groups are already making their presence felt.
The sardine in the featured image was just taken at Mbotyi in the Transkei. Where trusted contributor/kayaker Kurt has been observing shoals of baitfish along the backline the past few days. So he launched his kayak to investigate and brought back the living proof.
Dolphins were also in the mix, and a shoal of them was seen – that extended for a kilometre or so.
This early activity is a positive indicator of the dynamic environmental shifts happening beneath the waves. The water temperature, currents, predators, and fish availability all play a crucial role in orchestrating this natural spectacle. For those of us who live and breathe the sardine run, these early sightings are more than just a preview; they’re a promise of the excitement that the next few months bring. So, dust off your castnets, check your tackle, and keep your eyes peeled. The ocean is alive, and the sardines are on the move.
The shad precede the sardines’ arrival each season, and catches have been on the up recently. Although not fireworks yet, it’s got to happen soon!
The Sardine News is here to keep you updated, so you don’t miss a single, shimmering moment of this incredible natural phenomenon. Let’s make 2026 the year of the sardine!
Sardines and Sighting Maps
Here are the links to existing and past Sardine Sighting Maps. With instructions on how to install The Sardine News right on your phone, tablet, or even desktop.
Channels
Brucifire Surf Retorts – highly entertaining surf reporting
Master Watermen – news from way down deep
The Sardine News – neva miss a single sardine
FishBazaruto – 1000 pounds plus
MYDO Tackle Talk – highly technical sport fishing
Surf Launching Southern Africa – getting out there safely
Water Woes – complain about your municipality here
Websites
umzimkulu.co.za – fishing, charters, accommodation
umzimkuluadrenalin.co.za – will get you right out and onto the edge
thesardine.co.za – never miss a single sardine
masterwatermen.co.za – news from under water
fishbazaruto.com – dreams are out there
brucifire.co.za – surf retorts
fishmad.co.za – destination Madagascar
andantelodge.co.za – Transit luxury in Pretoria
