garrick Archives - The Sardine News

Posted on August 22, 2025August 22, 2025 by Sean Lange — Leave a comment

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

Posted on August 22, 2025August 22, 2025 by Sean Lange — 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

Posted on December 16, 2023December 25, 2023 by Sean Lange — Leave a comment

December 2023 Fishing Report for KZN in VIDEO

Garrick in December down at Plettenberg Bay. Kaie Else the happy angler...

December 2023 Fishing Report for KZN

December 2023 Fishing Report for KZN: shad, shad, and more shad! Which also means garrick, kob and all kinds of big gamefish in the surf zone.

Shad Season is OPEN

And, you can get fishing licenses online! This is big news in a country whose post office is a derelict shell of what it was 20 years ago. The post office stopped paying rent to its many satellite offices that were filling their vital role. And so where could you buy a fishing license? And then you’d go to the beach to have some dummy enforcing fishing licenses that you can’t even get?!

Kob

“Wherever the shad are biting during the day – that’s where the kob will be at night” – Louis Posthumous

It’s been a helluva year for catching big kob in the surf zone. Some are released. Some just aren’t. If you have a huge refrigerator and a huge family, then great, start the endless job of processing that big fish. It will turn you off catching another one for sure.

Rather just release those breeding fish. At about 8 or 9 years old, the kob, scientifically known as Argyrosomus japonicus, reaches sexual maturity. This is equal to about a 8 or 9 kg fish. So a 20kg fish, theoretically 20 years old, has had 10 seasons to throw some kob parties in the Umtamvuna. A 40kg fish (they get bigger!), will have had 30 seasons of breeding.

Upon these many revelations, the law was changed. And as such, tries to protect the big breeders. The thinking is that, at smaller sizes, these fish shoal in numbers. So to harvest a small percentage of these bigger numbers, would be a lot less detrimental than allowing the slaughter of the less populous breeding stock.

Let the big ones go!

Surf fishing. Gerrard-Powells-100lb-kob-being-manhandled-back-to-the-water-correctly — Gerrard-Powells-100lb-kob-being-manhandled-back-to-the-water-correctly

Koblet by Josh Herrison near Port St John — Gerrard-Powells-100lb-kob-being-manhandled-back-to-the-water-correctly

Garrick

If the shad and other bait are prevalent, then the garrick will stick around. They do not like dirty water (unlike the kob). Sometimes the water stays clean through December and January in some KZN places. And there are still garrick coming out at Vidal and St. Lucia, way north. That have to traverse us on their way home to the Cape.

Again, it’s the shad that are the main attraction and oftentimes you will be catching shad in the shore break and the next thing the garrick come in and destroy the whole show. Spectacular to see garrick smashing like this.

But down south in the clean water…garrick are out and about and looking for a fight! Kathryn Els show us how…yesterday!

Katie Else with December 2023 Garrick down Plett way…

Jason Heyne of the Master Watermen and his Margate shot Garrick

Dorado

The current hasn’t really kicked in yet. But there are fish about. There is a dorado fishing competition on down south at the moment. Boats are allowed to launch up and down. With the goings-on held down in Ramsgate. A very well-run event.

Holding on tight this dorado refuses to let my bait go even under 3kgs of drag — The shoal of angry dorado move in and harass the shad flat out

Sailfish

These widespread fish do follow seasons and patterns like most fish. But they are the ones most likely to just pitch up out of nowhere. Fuklk of surprises, but they definitely are here for the same reasons that the dorado are here. The halocline with it;s structural characteristics. And the shoals and shaols of mackerel, shad, maasbanker and red-eyes that also like this place this time of the year.

Vilankulos weather and fishing in November

Although it is blue marlin season up north, sailfish also come in to play. — Vilankulos weather and fishing in November

King Mackerel

No fireworks as of yet but give those spearos a patch of clean water and they will find out for sure if the couta have pitched up for this same baitball party. Last year and the year before, November produced some crocodiles. This year so far has been quiet.

The first couta of our 2023 season December

Kayak couta spread coming soon... — The first couta of our 2023 season December

Catch the first couta of the season, send the pics and story to me, and you will get R500 to spend in the MYDO store.

If you feel like targeting these trophies, get in touch and we can arrange species specific holidays for you. For this coming up season, stay with us at The Umzimkulu Marina where Umzimkulu Adrenalin can get you out to the couta.

Check out our MYDO YouTube Channel right HERE.

Posted on October 18, 2023October 18, 2023 by Sean Lange — Leave a comment

Double-up Garrick for Team Karl and Candace at The Sandspit

Double-up Garrick for Team Karl and Candace at The Sandspit

Double-up Garrick for Team Karl and Candace at The Sandspit: some trips go better than others.

A LOT better!

Team Karl and Candace

Husband and wife charters are always so much fun. The husband is totally fish-mad. And the wife happily plays along. Gets her all over the globe. Only thing is…she almost always catches the fish!

This time was slightly different…they BOTH got the fish!

After a long morning of catching nothing on over-sized live mullet, we drifted back to the Umzimkulu Marina for coffee and things. And entered phase 2 of the trip. Which on this day was to be the favoured incoming high tide down at the mouth. This is our tactic generally, at the end of a low tide, we head up to the bridges, about 2kms, and set up a drift back downriver. This takes us down through Kingfish Corner, and over the big holes. There are three deep spots, sometimes down to 12m. At the bottom are huge boulders and rocks. And…clean water!

The halocline (fresh vs salt water line), even when the top water is brown, sits like a big wedge under the water. The point of the wedge being right up the river at high tide. When the tide recedes, this dense and beautifully clean and aerated water gets trapped in these deep spots. The tide and the river flow move happily overhead on the surface. But down here in the depths, there be monsters lurking and hunting.

Anyway, none this particular drift.

We gonna have to count on Phase 2. Which today included a braai on the beach at The SandSpit. Karl had a decent 30lb spinning outfit and so I easily convinced him to walk over the spit and throw a few luck shots into the channel behind the shorebreak.

The beach was lined with live baiters. But the Garrick had been chowing sprats in the river earlier during the week. I gave Carel the exact right lure to use. Evidently…because on his fourth cast…

BANG!

“Sean! Sean!”, I hear that distinctly urgent but cheerful call. Without believing me and Chelsea hop off the boat and run up the dune. What a scene that unfolded before us. Karl was VAS! His little fishing rod bending in a circle from the strain as he followed instructions. From BigZ, local garrick legend, who happily came to Karl’s assistance. Freeing me up to do the filming.

Pulling a big garrick out of a big shorebreak on a big day is immensely difficult and dangerous. BigZ lost his hat as waves knocked him right over a few times. But eventually, after 45 minutes of truly heart-stopping moments, BigZ grabbed the monster by the tail.

The tagging kit was all the way up the beach and the fish had put on quite a show. So we decided to hurry it back into the water. Karl’s very first garrick (he had asked me earlier to get him one), and he releases it healthily into the very same wild shorebreak. Garrick are very strong and this guys was in perfect shape as he swam away.

Mombakkies Af

So now I have one helluva happy charter. He is beaming. Levitating. And so am I at this stage…the pressure for me get the “mombakkies af” is completely gone. I can really now enjoy this lovely arvo down on the spit.

And so Chelsea and I meander down the dune back to the boat. To start the braai! Next thing…

“Sean! Sean!”. Again!?

So we turn around and gallop back up the dune. This time it’s Candace! She is VAS!

In a disbelieving daze, the whole process gets repeated. BigZ comes to the fore and gets the fish by the tail. But only after another gruelling 45 minutes. He is exhausted by now – after risking the huge Sandspit shorebreak for two in a row! Luckily BigZ also releases every fish he catches and this time the tagging kit was brought to hand. Tag in…Candace into the shorebreak with her first Garrick. Also released!

Every anglers dream - releasing a healthy Garrick at The Sandspit in Port Shepstone with Umzimkulu Adrenalin — Every anglers dream – releasing a healthy Garrick at The Sandspit in Port Shepstone with Umzimkulu Adrenalin

Candace Engelbrecht repeats the stunt immediately after with her very own tagged and released Garrick with Umzimkulu Adrenalin. — Every anglers dream – releasing a healthy Garrick at The Sandspit in Port Shepstone with Umzimkulu Adrenalin

I am not sure that it can get better than that! Enjoy the saga in video…

Today

As of today, the recent rains have certainly muddied the waters. If that halocline is still around I’d be somewhat surprised. But at those 10 metre depths at Royston Bend area, there just may be clear water still. Someone will have to swim down there and check for us!

If it stays dry for a little while longer, the brown water will eventually run off and the tides will come back in the river. Hopefully one more time before it really starts to rain.

To get in on the upcoming summer gamefish action, get in touch and lets put together a cool weekend of fishing and relaxing for you. You can stay at the Umzimkulu Marina. Umzimkulu Adrenalin can take you fishing, surfing, or diving. You can learn all about fishing at the official MYDO web page.

Shad season opening on 1 December! Check out some of our Shad fishing kit right here (perfect gift for fish hungry girls).

Posted on June 21, 2022June 21, 2022 by Sean Lange — Leave a comment

Surf fishing during the sardine run

This is a rundown through a list the game fish species we are lucky enough to encounter – during the annual sardine run. Here in KZN, South Africa.

Shad

It starts with the shad. These guys smash into those poor little sardines like piranhas. And a shad smaller than a sard will still eat a sardine. Those teeth!

Shad readily jump on a spoon or any artificial, when it’s like this.

This video featuring the Fishing Pro Shop‘s Johan Wessels – shows exactly how surf fishing for shad is very easily done…

Sardines and shad in the shorebreak! Shop safely online at The Fishing Pro Shop.

Kob

The kob have actually already been here quite some time now. Many covert catches are made under the cover of darkness. And in the uncomfortable cold of the chilly winter offshore winds.

Check this mosnter tagged and released a little later in the season,last year! By Gerrard Powell and ably assisted by his mates who carefully put that huge fish back in the water. With a tag well-insertedby Mr. AntNel.

Gerrard-Powell-his-two-daughters-and-a-100lb-Kob

The-magical-tag-number-234455-for-Gerrard-Powells-100lb-daga-salmon-aka-kob-aka-dusky-kob

Garrick

Our endemic and highly threatened Garrick population is also going to be here shortly. They are here to breed and in this vulnerable state, can be easily overfished.

Bag limit is two per man. For a reason.

This is an old video, that captures the surf fishing vibe down on the Sandspit on National Garrick Day…

Check out the MYDO range of spoons for surf fishing

But get a live mullet or shad swimming in the channel between the mid-break and the shore break, and you will get your Garrick.

Throw a big old ice cream plug over the same channel 200 or 300 times you also could be in the game. Also for…

Let ’em go!

Kingfish

The GTs are here! Already a few have shown their ugly faces around the social shark nets recently in amongst the sardine action. There are many species to choose from including the also release-worthy blacktip, greenspot and blue models.

If Shimano is your thing -> Fishing Pro Shop online.

Sharks

Some people actually want to catch sharks! But mainly anglers hook them by mistake. Luckily they all are let go these days. The shark nets have done the shark population more than enough damage already.

It’s true, we hardly ever get sharks around the backline anymore. Luckily in sardine season, ALL the remaining ones come to visit. And we can see these beautiful and majestic animals swimming by in the wild.

Sharks in the Shorebreak…

Sharks in the Shorebreak!

Umzimkulu Adrenalin

We are ready to take you out there! Stationed down on the Umzimkulu River in Port Shepstone. With direct access to the ocean, Umzimkulu Adrenalin will put you right in amongst it all.

We have accommodation at the Umzimkulu Marina. Spillers House too. And we have an Egyptian Halaal restaurant downstairs. With a tented dining area right on the edge of the water. The MYDO Factory shop is in here too!

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

Sardines and Sighting Maps

Channels

Websites

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National Garrick Day at the Sandspit in 2008

Sardines and Sighting Maps

Channels

Websites

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December 2023 Fishing Report for KZN

Shad Season is OPEN

Kob

Garrick

Dorado

Sailfish

King Mackerel

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Double-up Garrick for Team Karl and Candace at The Sandspit

Team Karl and Candace

Mombakkies Af

Today

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Surf fishing during the sardine run

Shad

Kob

Garrick

Kingfish

Sharks

Umzimkulu Adrenalin

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