Sardine Run Buzz Builds as East Coast Waters Come Alive
 
The buzz is unmistakable along South Africa’s East Coast—the Sardine Run is coming, and the excitement is electric. As cold fronts begin to roll in, anglers and ocean enthusiasts alike are tuning in to early signs of what promises to be one of the most dynamic runs in recent memory.
 
Early drone footage and on-the-ground reports hint at increasing marine activity, and with temperatures dropping just right, the stage is being set for a spectacular oceanic event. The Sardine Run, often referred to as the “Greatest Shoal on Earth,” attracts not only massive shoals of sardines but also predators, birds, and fishermen eager to get in on the action.

Rock and Surf:

The entire East Coast is experiencing a fishing boom, with Transkei’s rugged coastline delivering unforgettable sessions and Kosi Bay keeping lines tight and spirits high. Anglers are calling it “rod-bending chaos” from sunrise to sunset, with a broad variety of species making appearances.
Tides have been ideal, and with excellent water clarity and bait presence, each cast holds promise. For seasoned fishers and newcomers alike, this is more than a seasonal event—it’s a celebration of coastal life.
 
North Coast – Action packed and Unforgiving. Further north, reef zones and rocky ledges are teeming with activity. Reports confirm bait balls being decimated by game fish, providing thrilling opportunities—but not without challenges.
“These fish fight dirty,” one local angler noted. “If your gear isn’t up to scratch, they’ll smoke you in seconds.”
Hot tips from the region include using combo baits (chokka and sardine), switching to heavy-duty tackle, and ensuring braided mainlines and reinforced snoods are part of your setup.
 
Central Coast – Feeding Frenzies from Glen Ashley to uShaka. The stretch from Glen Ashley to uShaka is living up to its reputation for fast-paced, unpredictable action. The species list reads like a dream: kingfish, Garrick, pompano, wave garrick, kob, and aggressive grey sharks that will test even the most seasoned angler.
Chokka has proven especially effective for kob, while live bait has been yielding larger catches—earning this zone the nickname “slab city” among local fishers. But timing is everything; the area can switch from silent to explosive in moments.

South Coast – Frenzy from Margate to Port Edward. From Margate to Port Edward, the scene is nothing short of a fishing spectacle. Anglers are reeling in dinner-plate stumpies, chunky bream, rockcod, massive shad, and sharks that push tackle—and nerves—to the limit.
The message from veterans? Talk to the locals. Real-time knowledge of bait preferences and shifting sandbanks often makes the difference between a good outing and a legendary one.
 
Countdown to Chaos. As anticipation builds, one thing is clear: the Sardine Run 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable chapter in South Africa’s coastal story. Whether you’re casting from a cliff, launching from the beach, or watching from the dunes, the coast is alive—and the time is now.
Are you ready?

Offshore:

If you enjoy steady pull, clean drifts, and some salt on your brow, conditions offshore are lining up nicely.
Conditions are solid, the fish are active, and there’s something happening on every drop. Gamefish are on the move, bottom species are holding well, and there’s no shortage of action if you’re keen to get out there.
The bite is strong. The energy is high. The ocean’s delivering.
Don’t let the chilly mornings throw you off — the summer fish are still around and feeding. It might be tempting to stay in bed, but those early alarms are worth it right now. Pack your gear, layer up, and make the most of what’s on offer.
 
North Coast Update – Umdloti’s Firing
Umdloti is producing consistent couta action. Early morning fishing ski missions are putting anglers onto good fish, with small-lipped lures doing the trick. Even the backline is lively — worth a spoon drop as soon as you’re on the water.
 
Durban Delivering Across the Board
Durban’s been reliable lately. Charter boats are busy, and for good reason: couta are feeding well and the geelbek are showing solid size and strength. Smaller kob are also keeping things fun on lighter setups. Bottom fishing is still going strong, with steady pull throughout the day.
 
Umgeni Snoek Bite – Early and Intense
At Umgeni, the snoek are coming on quickly at dawn. Fillet baits are drawing aggressive strikes, and it’s fast-paced from the first cast. If you’re aiming to get in on the action, it pays to be on the water early.
 
South Coast – Steady Bottom Bite
Bottom fishing down south has been productive. Reds, slingers, and soldiers are coming up regularly, and coolers are filling up quickly. The gamefish scene has been quieter, but that could change fast — so keep an ear to the ground and your gear close.
 
Respect the Ocean
While you’re out there, remember to take care of the environment that gives us these moments. Handle fish responsibly, clean up after yourself, and leave your launch site better than you found it. A little respect goes a long way.

Freshwater:

News in from Jan Korrubel, The Kingfisher in PMB:
I can say it again – the winter fishing really does seem to be getting into the swing of things.  While some waters – the stillwaters predominantly – are still unseasonally warm, the fish appear to have got the message that winter is looming and are feeding up, and are definitely in the game.  As mentioned, water levels are dropping fast, and the flow over the Midmar Dam wall was about to cease, when The Midlands was hit by a midweek storm that temporarily pushed the overflow back up into the whitewater level, but settling the following day and grinding to a halt on the weekend.  River levels have also dropped significantly from the previously unplayable conditions, and those running directly off The ‘Berg are running cold and crystal clear.  The term “spoiled for choice” springs to mind – all that is required is for the angler to get to the water and take advantage!

With the imminent closure of the trout river season this weekend, it’s going to be a long 3 month wait for the anglers of the moving waters.  Plenty of time to rest, and polish the light end of one’s fly tackle collection, and refill the fly boxes.  Interestingly, and almost unheard of, is that there were no anglers from the Natal Fly Fishers Club that felt it necessary to perturb the local brown trout population.  Your reporter however, having only fished Opening Day last year(!), did finally make a foray and brought a few Bushman’s River brown trout to hand … on dry fly of course.  The combination of cold water (a bracing 9deg.C) and post-spawn lethargy, made the fishing slow, but still a most delightful couple of hours was spent closing the account off for the season.  See y’all on 1 September.

The stillwaters are, of course, the topic of interest currently, with a good few returns received from the NFFC anglers.  The bigger fish are out and about – the smallest in the returns falling into the 13-15 inch / 33-38cm bracket, and the largest fish taping into the 21-23 inch / 53-58 cm class.  A total mixed bag of flies that were doing the business, ranging from woolly buggers down to small nymph patterns.  Water temperatures are reported to be around the mid-teens, with some of the higher altitude waters dropping towards the double-figure mark.

It is prime Festival Season, with Leg 1 of the TOPS Corporate Challenge having taken place last weekend (with the largest fish coming in at 58cm), the Hastings Exclusive this past weekend (largest fish of 63cm), Leg 2 of the TCC this coming weekend, and the Kamberg Trout and Boston Fly Fishing Festivals the weekends thereafter!  We look forward to reporting as the season hots up, and first-hand as yours truly will be fishing in the KTF … hope to see you there!

Further afield, the stillwaters of the Underberg are also producing – Kingfishers very own Vinesh Soogreem recently besting his PB – Well Done that man!
In the international field, the 2025 Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championship in Midlands, England have just come to an end, with South Africa on the podium, taking bronze out of the 12 participating counties.  The 44th FIPS-Mouche World Fly Fishing Championships, taking place in South and West Bohemia, Czech Republic, are currently underway.

Not much news coming from the bass fraternity … word coming from both Midmar and Albert Falls Dams is that the fishing is “OK”.  Carp are back on the species menu at Albert Falls, with the fly anglers getting stuck in with a small beetle pattern.
 
With river levels dropping and the waters clearing up, the scaly anglers are getting out and about.  There have been some good fish reported on nymph patterns, and even some Red-breast Tilapia as a “by catch”.
For the best in tackle and advice, pop into any of the seven Kingfisher stores, they are open 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, 8am-1pm on public holidays, Saturdays and Sundays. 

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Please send any info about fishing or fish caught in your area to Vinesh Soogreem – vineshs@kingfisher.co.za