The sardine run sprang back to life last Monday after the large swell subsided and surf conditions improved.

Shortly after first light, netters hauled a massive shoal ashore at Port Edward after sardines were spotted close inshore. The successful haul kept crews busy for much of the day.

Action resumed at first light on Tuesday at Port Shepstone, where another large shoal was netted. Although crews continued searching the South Coast for the rest of the week, the sardines largely disappeared. A small net at Addington Beach in Durban produced a modest catch over the weekend, but there were no further reports.

Large numbers of seabirds were spotted off Coffee Bay, raising hopes that the sardines were moving south, although there was no confirmation. Netters remain confident the shoals will reappear this week as the search continues along the coast.

Anglers enjoyed excellent fishing along the South Coast. At Margate Pier, shad of up to 2kg were landed, with most weighing between 1kg and 1.5kg.

Many anglers caught their bag limits, while live-bait anglers hooked several large garrick. Snoek, the odd yellowtail and a few unusually large shad were also landed.

Port Edward anglers also enjoyed hectic action, catching garrick, large shad and a few salmon. At Port Shepstone’s Sandspit, a popular salmon fishing spot, anglers landed several good-sized daga salmon after the sardines were netted nearby.

The upper South Coast, which had experienced a quiet spell, came alive with the arrival of shad and garrick. Anglers described the garrick as “thick”, with almost every live bait producing a strike. Scottburgh and Umkomaas were once again busy, while salmon have also returned to Umkomaas.

On the North Coast, rock and surf anglers continue catching shad before first light, with garrick remaining plentiful at popular spots. Ballito, Umdloti and Chaka’s Rock have all produced good catches, aided by an abundance of live bait, including karanteen and pinkies. Fishing in the gullies is expected to improve as sardines pass through local waters.

Offshore conditions have remained challenging, although weather windows have allowed anglers onto the water. While the gamefish season is winding down, the odd barracouta is still being caught. Most boats are targeting bottom reefs, where red fish, rockcod, half kob and daga salmon continue to provide consistent catches.

Kayak anglers are still finding snoek, while catch-and-release garrick fishing remains productive. Sardines passing offshore often attract reef fish, although skippers say fish already feeding on sardines can become difficult to catch. Gannets also remain a nuisance, frequently diving on baited hooks before they reach the bottom.