Posted on Leave a comment

Fishing and Sardine Roundup from Durban to East London #sardinerun2025 #sardinemigration #fishing

Fishing and Sardine Roundup from Durban to East London #sardinerun2025 #sardinemigration #fishing

Fishing and Sardine Roundup from Durban to East London #sardinerun2025 #sardinemigration #fishing

Fishing and Sardine Roundup from Durban to East London #sardinerun2025 #sardinemigration #fishing: we have a rather comprehensive coverage of things ocean today…

Morning from Port Edward, Splash Rock
just a few fishermen don’t know why there’s so few
looks like one guys into a shad
no false alarm sea looks beautiful
not such a big swell running through this morning
but still quite big not as big as yesterday
quiet quiet Splash Rock this morning
around the corner up north from Splash Rock
we got Lucky Dip sitting here for half an hour now
nearly no one’s here nothing how come out at all
hi there peeps
just a quick update from the Bear and the Bluff
KZN Durban South Africa
yeah seas calm down remarkably man
from very bumpy this morning to this
hey we got some boss weather tomorrow Friday
and then southwest on Saturday
and the champs is said to be held
I think it’s gonna get bumped up
it’s Sunday but that’s just me personally
that’s not any of the organisers saying that hey
think we now got 37 people on the group
get your entries in it’s gonna happen
yeah nearly diveable here on the bluff
it’s probably better viz out deep but here in the shallows
looks 3 to 4 meters eh
that’s in Aweh from the Bear and as always
dive safe and straight spears
OK boys
right now we’re joining Jaco down near the Block
and this is a still shot that he sent to me
and check what AI did with it
absolutely wonderfully marvelous
I don’t understand how this can work
but that’s a time lapse made from a still shot
cool eh
alright but anyway
Jaco did catch something with
he caught it on a paddle tail
these things take paddle tails all the time
what you may ask these big
white sandbags that
those moron construction people have let
loose into the ocean
the people that can’t even
I can’t even divert the river
with all that machinery and all those tides
they can’t get this right
that is an attempt
a failed attempt that’s closed again now
and the other side they’re putting bricks and rocks
and check this out it’s crazy what they’re doing
all the money they’ve just wasted here just spent
and this time lapse is actual real time lapse
and I did it so you can see
there are still some sardines about the place
if you look carefully
you’ll see little black dots popping up here
and down there and moving around
and this was yesterday at Trafalgar
so yeah they
you could still bump into a shoal of sardines
at any time last year
it was about the same time as this
that they finally petered out
alright all aboard
let’s head up the coast to Umtwalume
where we’re going to meet Nkazi
our latest addition to our
spread of guides that are available to you guys
if you wanna come fishing down here
and Nkazi is very good
check this shad he caught here yesterday in fact
but this fish there’s a dream fish
that is busy fighting there right now
what’s it gonna be what’s it gonna be
ha ha nice work Nkazi
that’s a beautiful fish for anybody okay moving along
so okay Sean I’m taking this little footage
just come down in the afternoon
and there’s lots of action here
my buddy um
happening all over the place
the birds are still full up gannets
and they’re travelling up and down hey
yo so yo
that’s the sign that they’re still around hey Sean
I’m gonna come down fishing later on
and search for a bit of shad
seeing as there must
must be bait fish around in that out there man
these birds are really diving aye
all over the show and this morning
I got some nice whale footage
I’m gonna send to you as well
that a friend of ours took with a drone uh yeah
that’s gonna be quite lucky to see
how you gonna squeeze that all in okay
bruh I know it’s windy here on the beach but uh
Lekker come down with my mate
he’s going for a little paddle now out there um
just getting ready how’s it
but Sean lots of action out there buddy okay
cheers hey
morning how’s it
this is the uh
East London beachfront esplanade call it what you like
this you gotta love in front of the Hotel Osnia
this used to be all pretty much just open land
fun fair and that used to come around here
but now you’ll notice they paved it all
and I’m pretty sure the Bill exceeded 100 million
You can obviously see the the value in that nevertheless
sea’s looking like a bit of a west
has been coming through
the water’s not too bad for East London temp as well
surfers must be digging it
alright that’s a big thank you to all the reporters
starting with Steven Manny
who else is in here Jaco and Nkazi myself
Dallas Yoh Manny too
I think I’ve mentioned Manny already in the Transkei
okay so the thing is um
thanks all of you guys
and thank you very much to Gary Maas
for getting in touch blast from the past
and Gary still got some of our old newspaper copies
here some of his pics that he sent to me
thank you very much Gary
it’s very nice to hear from you
and as for the rest of you guys
don’t forget to like and subscribe
and join this channel
if you want us to keep on bringing you the Sardine News
like this instead of all that other political crap
you can also watch alright Ciao Ciao

Gallery

Recent catches…

Sardines and Sighting Maps

Check out our annual Sardine Run Map! It also features good catches, marine sightings and boating incidents.

Download our app to your phone or device, accept notifications, and you will never miss a single sardine.

Here are the links to existing and past Sardine Sighting Maps…

2025 Sardine Map

2024 Sardine Map

2023 Sardine Map

2022 Sardine Map

2021 Sardine Map

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

Websites

umzimkulu.co.za – self-catering right on the Umzimkulu River
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
brucifire.co.za – surf retorts

Share
Posted on Leave a comment

The Sardine News Late Edition 22 August 2025 FULL Reports #shad #sardines #bridges #fishing #report

The Sardine News Late Edition 22 August 2025 FULL Reports #shad #sardines #bridges #fishing #report

The Sardine News Late Edition 22 August 2025 FULL Reports #shad #sardines #bridges #fishing #report

The Sardine News Late Edition 22 August 2025 FULL Reports #shad #sardines #bridges #fishing #report

welcome back to the Sardine News ALL the fish and more
hey a big welcome back to you
the Sardine News in the afternoon edition
Chelsea says howzit alright
we got some very good news today
like really good news and I’m gonna start it off yeah
and yes
that was our good friend Jace and now here is the very
very good news
the guys deployed a net and guess who is back
welcome back Kioshin
so guys I’m back
I thought it was over
but I’m back and so is the rest of the team
Veez One and uh
we’re back on the beach um
sort of walking again
so we decided to net today and we are at um Caradeen
in front of Karridene Hotel
and we got a nice net about an hour ago
so there’s a lot of sardine action
I believe there’s still a lot of action on the coast
and uh yeah
Veez One is a nice net if anyone wants fresh fish
we are selling at uh at Winklespruit
uh near Green Roof
at the entrance to Green Roof
so the team is back and I’m back and back on the beach
and uh yeah
sardine run 2025 isn’t over
yeah it’s really good to see you again Kioshin
you do such a really good job down there
thank you very much for all the reports
and it’s so nice to see you up and riding again okay
moving right on
morning guys
beautiful morning stunning day
couple of nice shad
came out here early
and then they’ve just went off the bite
waters perfect
a lot of peckers around
well
couldn’t work ask for a better day
take time off come fish
yeah while we at the block check this out
thanks Roosta
for sending us this update from such a cool angle
but yeah
I don’t know what to say or what to comment about this
because I’m sure some people are gonna get upset hey
yeah yeah
anyway they look like they’re digging at the bottom
at the other side as well
so I don’t know I just don’t I’ve got no comment
moving along
morning all from the pond in Port Edward
not much shad action going on here
there’s quite a crowd gathered there with the guys
with the big sticks I’m gonna hang around and see
I think someone’s hooked something big
garrick came out here the other day on
it was close to 20 kilos
just taking the beauty of the surrounds here
it’s absolutely stunning
light north easterly
8 to 10 K’s an hour making fishing still fine
nothing wrong
anyway this is me from Port Edward saying goodbye
tight lines everyone
okay thank you Roosta
Allen Steve for your reports
we’re gonna go over to Ian
who’s got something to tell us thanks Ian
good uh
morning everyone
coming to you from the lower south coast
uh this awesome Friday morning
um all of you guys know me
I’m the uh squidgits man
so this morning um
we will head down to the rocks and uh
I’m gonna use my trustworthy bait squidgits
so we’ll keep you updated on uh
how it goes if we catch or not
um I had some guys um
WhatsApp me last night with awesome catches of um
I believe they were some other fish caught
but um they never sent me any posts
I will see if I can get hold of them
and ask them to share but they got some big black tile
I did post it last night as
as as it came in
so yes um guys
um while we’re here um
I believe there is another supply of squid guts on the
um uh
on on the Durban
Durbs area they’re calling themselves squid guts uh
comes in a bottle similar to mine with an orange lid
guys um
I I wish them all the luck
I wish them tight lines and real runs
but guys if
if if
if it does not say squidgits
it’s not squidgits and I’m saying this with a reason
it’s not a matter of just sourcing bait
packaging it and sending it out there
um I’ve been um
doing squidgits now for more than 10 years
so I have fine tune is the bait
um so there is a secret twist to the squidgits
and so yeah um
like you say um
proof in the pudding and the guys are doing well
um
and um
yeah the posts have just been streaming in on
on how um
fishing has changed uh
things in the last couple of months
but anyhow guys
um I’m not really worried about that
um just if it doesn’t say squidgits
it’s not squidgits so yeah
it’s up to you uh
to decide
um what you wanna do
what you wanna buy
what you wanna spend to waste your money on
so guys uh
from me
um I’m heading on down now to the water’s edge
uh and I will be using squidgits
the golden bait and um yeah
let’s see what we can get this morning
hopefully I am blessed with some good fish
there has been a increase
a lot amount of small fish in the water
um so yeah
they’ve been going to town
and not getting the big fish to the bite
so yeah with that said
uh let me head on down
uh Sun’s almost almost up
uh we have a bit of cloud
so maybe give me a little bit more darker
morning hours to fishing so from me
uh down here on the south coast from the squidgits’s man
I’ll be in touch uh during the course of the morning
uh to all you guys out there on the rocks
stay safe tart lines and real runs
so good morning guys
just a recap of this morning’s uh broadcast
um yeah
uh bit hazy this morning
the sun’s coming up a lot of sardines in the water
a hell of a lot of sardines
but yes on the squidgits
the golden proof in the pudding
this guy jumping around there we go
you just keep quiet a bit
you can see squidgits
and a danger right in the corner there
so yeah guys proof in the pudding
uh even on rough days yeah
we’re getting fish cheers guys and tight lines
and then finally we would like to thank
the people who ordered MYDOs this week
and joined the HOTLINE
you’re the lifeblood of the sardine
thank you thank you
and thank you again um
we’re gonna just go out mentioning National Garrick Day
it’s coming up you know
in a month or so
but there’s a cool video that I posted this morning
that we made in 2008
might be our first sardine news video of all time
but it’s on I’m not gonna put it on now
cause it’s like 9 minutes or something like that
but it’s on the channel somewhere
and it’s highly recommended alright
don’t forget to join the HOTLINE to support us too
that’s our biggest thing welcome Roger
welcome Sharon welcome Callum
welcome all those new people who have just joined up
right if you can just also like and subscribe
that’s just good enough for us to thank you
thank you and thank you out

Sardines and Sighting Maps

Check out our annual Sardine Run Map! It also features good catches, marine sightings and boating incidents.

Download our app to your phone or device, accept notifications, and you will never miss a single sardine.

Here are the links to existing and past Sardine Sighting Maps…

2025 Sardine Map

2024 Sardine Map

2023 Sardine Map

2022 Sardine Map

2021 Sardine Map

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

Websites

umzimkulu.co.za – self-catering right on the Umzimkulu River
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
brucifire.co.za – surf retorts

Share
Posted on Leave a comment

National Garrick Day at The Sandspit in 2008

National Garrick Day back in 2008 at The Sandspit

National Garrick Day at the Sandspit in 2008

National Garrick Day: coming soon to a beach near you! Here is a classic old video shot about 15 years ago at the famous Sandspit in Port Shepstone. So much fun – Raggie nearly got chowed by a Zambie. Two people catching the same fish. And many more hilarious scenes as National Garrick Day unfolds for here you to experience the vibe…

National Garrick Day is a once-a-year spectacle that electrifies the KZN coastline. As the sardines surge northward in their annual winter migration, they bring with them a host of predators—including the mighty garrick (Lichia amia), also known locally as leervis.

These powerful shoaling hunters arrive in force, feasting on sardines and other baitfish with reckless abandon. After gorging themselves, it’s time to spawn. Garrick typically spawn in estuarine and surf zones with structure and baitfish, often triggered by water temperature and baitfish abundance. The spawning is synchronized with the sardine run, and the garrick gather in groups to release their eggs and milt into the current.

Once the spawning frenzy subsides, the garrick become ravenous again—setting the stage for National Garrick Day. For two to three days, the bite is absolutely explosive. The usual hotspots like the Sandspit are lined with live baiters, while others throw poppers, plugs, and surface lures. Hundreds of garrick are caught during this window, and anyone with a fishing rod can join the action.

Garrick are found along the entire South African coastline, especially in estuaries, surf zones, and tidal rivers. They prefer warm water and grow rapidly—reaching about 11 cm in six months. Sexual maturity is reached at 75–85 cm fork length, typically around 3–4 years old. Larger specimens (90 cm to 1.5 m) are 5–9 years old, with some reaching up to 2 m and 50 kg.

It’s important to note that garrick are SASSI Red-listed, meaning they’re a no-sale species in South Africa. Recreational anglers must adhere to strict regulations: a minimum size of 70 cm fork length and a bag limit of one per person per day.

To stay in the loop and maximize your chances, join The Sardine News HOTLINE—a WhatsApp group dedicated to its paying members. We keep everyone informed about where the fish are and what they’re doing. Members are encouraged to contact our sardine spies up and down the coast, and we help arrange accommodation and guiding where needed. We also offer virtual guiding for free to all our members. Just ask, and we’ll chip in to help.

National Garrick Day is more than just a fishing event—it’s a celebration of nature, community, and the thrill of the chase. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a curious newcomer, this is your chance to be part of something truly spectacular.

Here we have a clip of Evert at the Margate Pier recently, also catching a lekker garrick…

If any of you guys are planning to make National Garrick Day down here on the lower south coast of KZN, and you need accommodation and advice…or guiding, drop us a line on +27793269671 or email umzimkulu@gmail.com and we can hook you up.

Sardines and Sighting Maps

Check out our annual Sardine Run Map! It also features good catches, marine sightings and boating incidents.

Download our app to your phone or device, accept notifications, and you will never miss a single sardine.

Here are the links to existing and past Sardine Sighting Maps…

2025 Sardine Map

2024 Sardine Map

2023 Sardine Map

2022 Sardine Map

2021 Sardine Map

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

Websites

umzimkulu.co.za – self-catering right on the Umzimkulu River
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
brucifire.co.za – surf retorts

Share
Posted on Leave a comment

5 EPIC Fishing Battles From This Past Week

Henry Giant Kob In Christmas Bay Sheffield Beach

5 EPIC Fishing Battles From This Past Week

5 EPIC Fishing Battles From This Past Week: enjoy the picture show…! (Oh Brother, Where Art Thou)

good morning welcome back sardine news okay
we’re gonna try something different here today
we’ve got a lot of fish around
a lot of fish
and we’re gonna get to see five fights here
mainly at the Block in Port Shepstone
and also one in Christmas Bay
up in Sheffield on Ballito side
but what fun to watch these guys
some of them get away most of them get caught
let’s dive right in and join Alan at the block
another guy on here
also we think it’s a Garrick it’s the third one now
in about half an hour
so let’s pull up with Garrick here at the mo
still on still playing it
I think you had bait
what you had bait on there or what sardine
spoon okay
picked him up on spoon
still playing it
it’s a big guy there playing
nice nice
why we that side why we right so not coming here right
come around with him
Drei link Außen ja Bitte
hey vaai for ot sharp here he’s hooked on the gill
vaai sharp its hooked on the gill go quickly
gaff him gaff him
gaff him gaff him
whoa
well done well done
well done what’s your name
Naren right Naren
Naren thanks Naren well done
hey shot Allen for always being on the spot like that
and Naren that’s a beautiful fish
well done not to be outdone
here comes Deez next
this is gonna be quite a long session over here
there’s two fish coming up which one gets away
now there’s a guy onto a nice fish here
fishing in the front
Ous are saying a Garrick
but he wasn’t using a lure
is it Dees it looks like Dees huh
hey what you got there Dees Dees
what you got
what you got
Garrick
what is it
Garrick
nice fish
hey that rock in front there
that’s a gotta get it past that
what bait you using Dees sardine 4/09
still on here
that’s a tricky part
this is a tricky part
get it over that rock
there we go he’s got it past
guys got a problem this side
if it goes over that rock
trying to get it away from that rock huh
going over that rock
AIBO…came off
cut him off over the rock
unlucky
he’s still on here
now the trick is to get it over that rock
and before this goes beyond this rock here
you’ll see he’s coming
starting to bring it in
out here
that rock
that’s probably why they are swinging around that
hes kind of got it past that rock
Deez
Nice Garrick Hey
so coming this way coming back coming back
coming this way
hey nice work
Dee’s that’s a great funny
now you can see in the background behind Dee’s
that’s his wife watch that lady
now there’s another fish came out on a on a spoon here
very good very nice fishing that morning
not sure how many came out all together
but then we’re going to check on Dee’s wife
and see what she caught the other morning
other evening I think it was
yes yes yes
hey what fun hey
well done Zahira that’s a beautiful fish
right now we’re going to Christmas Bay to visit Henry
our latest contributor to the Sardine Hotline
and check what he caught
muck big kingie or something
come on
oh it’s just sitting
okay still on yet oh gosh
I don’t know what it is solid son oh oh
hey what a fish Henry Sheesis
man thank you and it’s so very nice to have you
as our North Coast correspondent for the Sardine News
right we’ve got one more fish to go you might have seen this one before if
Evert at Margate Pier about a week
ago don’t forget to like and subscribe and if you join this channel
you would have seen all these videos long time ago Ciao

Sardines and Sighting Maps

Check out our annual Sardine Run Map! Download our app to your phone or device, accept notifications, and you will never miss a single  sardine.

Here are the links to existing and past  Sardine Sighting Maps…

2025 Sardine Map

2024 Sardine Map

2023 Sardine Map

2022 Sardine Map

2021 Sardine Map

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

Share
Posted on Leave a comment

How to Catch your Own Sardines

Catch your own Sardines

How to Catch your Own Sardines

How to Catch your Own Sardines: the annual sardine run is ON and when sardine fever hits, anything and everything goes. This tongue-in-cheek article takes a look at three absolutely marvellous weapons of sardine hunters.

And also touches on where and when to set your ambush relating to tides and choice of beach.

Enjoy the video…

Cast Net

This is how you get the girls! Lethal. Efficient. Effective. Be careful not to net too many sardines and strain the net to breaking point. Repairing cast nets is not a happy career choice.

You need a license and lotsa practise/experience. And a bakkie to haul your catch (and the girls) home with.

Washing Basket

These things are incredibly destructive to sardines in the shallows and the shore break. BUT, do not venture out further than your knees! Either a shark will bite you by mistake. Or on purpose. Or you will be dragged into the waves and the currents.

Pool Net

The best of both worlds. Easy. And effective. You can catch sardines all day long with a decent pool net. And it keeps you well out of reach of the marauding sharks!

Safety First!

A comic-style scene of people catching sardines on the beach
An AI style scene of people catching sardines on the beach

There are many things to watch out for during the sardine run – the sharks are just one of them.

At high tides – there can be waves breaking that can suck you back down and into the sea. Where currents can hitch you up and take you on a free thrill ride to hell.

There are also sharp, slippery rocks to negotiate. Sometimes just buried in the sand where you can’t see them.

And don’t forget the sharks in the car park – these ones will steal your rods and reels. And your sandy wet underpants. Whilst you are totally distracted and running down the beach like a maniac – shad stick at hand.

Traffic is also a nightmare as a thousand cars descend onto any one beach. Traffic rules seem also to get sardine fever during the sardine run – and disappear. Officials try to control the melee but that sardine fever – well, you got to see it to believe it!

Sardines and Sighting Maps

We have started the 2025  Sardine Run Map! Download our app to your phone or device, accept notifications, and you will never miss a single sardine.

2024 was a thrilling year for sardines. All the action has been logged right here on The Sardine News. The 2024 map has been viewed 200 000 times and just keeps going.

Which led us to decide to keep the map live. And keep adding unique marine animal sightings and events. That occurs non-stop all year round. Last year we started to log more whale and dolphin sightings. And we even had a shipwreck! This year we have had two sailboat incidents already. PLUS, we have already logged some sardines!

Here are the links to existing and past Sardine Sighting Maps…

2025 Sardine Map

2024 Sardine Map

2023 Sardine Map

2022 Sardine Map

2021 Sardine Map

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 – self-catering right on the Umzimkulu River
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
brucifire.co.za – surf retorts

Share