Where to Catch Sardines in OSRS – Best Locations and Tips

Where to Catch Sardines in OSRS – Best Locations and Tips

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), catching sardines is a fantastic way to level up your Fishing skill early in the game. Requiring only level 5 Fishing, sardines are accessible to both free-to-play (F2P) and members, offering 20 Fishing experience per catch. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned adventurer looking to complete quests like Gertrude’s Cat, knowing where to catch sardines efficiently is key. This guide covers the best locations, requirements, tips, and strategies to help you fish sardines like a pro.

Before heading out to fish sardines, ensure you have the necessary skills and items. Sardines are beginner-friendly, but preparation is essential for a smooth experience.

Fishing Level and Equipment

You need at least level 5 Fishing to catch sardines. The required equipment includes:

  • Fishing rod: A standard tool available at fishing shops or the Grand Exchange.
  • Fishing bait: One bait is consumed per sardine catch. Stock up, as you’ll need plenty for extended sessions.

Both items can be purchased from fishing shops like Gerrant’s Fishy Business in Port Sarim or the fishmonger in Rellekka for around 10 coins each. Alternatively, bait can be found at the Grand Exchange for a similar price.

Optional Preparations

For efficiency, consider these optional preparations:

  • Bank access: Choose fishing spots near banks to store your catches.
  • Quest completion: Completing Cook’s Assistant reduces burn rates when cooking sardines on the Lumbridge Castle range.
  • Fremennik Easy Diary: Unlocks banking with Peer the Seer in Rellekka, ideal for members fishing there.

Best Locations to Catch Sardines in OSRS

Sardines can be caught at any “Net/Bait” fishing spot by the sea, but some locations are more convenient due to proximity to banks or shops. Below are the top spots for F2P and members, with details on accessibility and benefits.

Draynor Village

Located just southwest of the Draynor Village bank, this F2P spot is ideal for beginners. The bait fishing spots are close to the shore, and the bank is only a few steps away, making it perfect for banking sardines or dropping them if training Fishing.

  • Pros: Close to a bank, safe for low-level players, easy access from Lumbridge.
  • Cons: Can be crowded, occasional dark wizard attacks for players under level 15.

Tip: Visit the fishing shop in Port Sarim nearby to restock on bait if needed.

Lumbridge Swamp

In the southern part of Lumbridge Swamp, you’ll find bait fishing spots along the coast. This F2P location is great for players working on tasks like the Lumbridge & Draynor Diary, which requires catching sardines here.

  • Pros: Quiet and less crowded, close to Lumbridge for cooking or banking.
  • Cons: Farther from a bank compared to Draynor, no nearby fishing shop.

Musa Point (Karamja)

On the northeastern coast of Musa Point, F2P players can fish sardines at bait spots. This location is accessible by paying 30 coins to travel from Port Sarim to Karamja.

  • Pros: Scenic location, decent for combining with other Karamja activities.
  • Cons: No nearby bank in F2P, travel cost can add up.

Tip: Bring extra coins for the boat fare or complete the Pirate‘s Treasure quest for free travel to Karamja.

Rellekka (Members Only)

For members, the dock north of the Rellekka market is a prime spot. The fishmonger nearby sells sardines and bait, and Peer the Seer can bank items if you’ve completed the Fremennik Easy Diary.

  • Pros: Fast banking with Peer the Seer, shop for restocking, good for Tower of Life quest prep.
  • Cons: Members-only, requires diary completion for optimal use.

How to Catch Sardines Efficiently

Fishing sardines is straightforward, but optimizing your time and experience gain requires strategy. Here’s how to make the most of your fishing sessions.

Fishing Mechanics

At “Net/Bait” spots, right-click and select the “Bait” option with a fishing rod and bait in your inventory. Each catch uses one bait and grants 20 Fishing experience. Note that you may also catch raw herring (level 10 Fishing, 30 XP), which becomes more common as your Fishing level increases. At level 57, herring outpaces sardines in catch rate.

Maximizing Experience and Profit

To boost efficiency, follow these tips:

  • Bank or drop: If training, drop sardines to save time. If profiting, bank them for sale at the Grand Exchange (raw sardines sell for ~67 coins, herring for ~173).

  • Level up Fishing: Higher Fishing levels increase catch speed and herring ratio, improving profits.
  • Avoid cooking for profit: Cooking sardines often results in a loss due to burning and lower cooked sardine prices (~55 coins).

Location F2P/Members Bank Proximity Shop Nearby
Draynor Village F2P Very close Yes (Port Sarim)
Lumbridge Swamp F2P Moderate No
Musa Point F2P Far Yes
Rellekka Members Close (with diary) Yes

Uses for Sardines in OSRS

Beyond Fishing XP, sardines have several uses in quests and skilling, making them more than just a training resource.

Quest Requirements

Sardines are crucial for the Gertrude’s Cat quest. You’ll need to combine a raw sardine with doogle leaves to create a doogle sardine (or seasoned sardine) to feed Fluffs, the cat. This quest rewards a pet cat, making it a must for many players.

Other Uses

Sardines have additional applications:

  • Cooking: Cook raw sardines at level 1 Cooking for 40 Cooking XP. They heal 4 Hitpoints when eaten and stop burning at level 38 (or 34 with Lumbridge range).

  • Tower of Life: Combine a raw sardine with red spiders’ eggs to create a Spidine (level 42) after completing the Tower of Life quest.

  • Divination: At level 16 Divination, transmute 3 raw sardines into 1 raw trout using 2 flickering energy for 3.6 Divination XP.

Tips for Success and Common Mistakes to Avoid

To ensure a smooth sardine-fishing experience, keep these tips in mind and avoid common pitfalls.

Top Tips

  • Stock up on bait: Carry at least 500-1000 bait to avoid frequent shop runs.
  • Choose Draynor for F2P: Its bank proximity makes it the best all-around spot for beginners.
  • Complete diaries: For members, the Fremennik Easy Diary unlocks banking in Rellekka, saving time.
  • Check Grand Exchange prices: If herring prices spike, focus on banking catches for better profit.

Common Mistakes

  • Fishing at wrong spots: Ensure you’re at a “Net/Bait” spot, not a cage or net-only spot. Right-click to confirm the “Bait” option.

  • Ignoring herring: At higher Fishing levels, herring are more profitable, so don’t drop them unnecessarily.
  • Not preparing for quests: If doing Gertrude’s Cat, bring doogle leaves to avoid extra trips.

With these locations, strategies, and tips, you’re ready to catch sardines efficiently in OSRS. Whether you’re leveling Fishing, completing quests, or making a small profit, sardines are a versatile resource. Head to Draynor Village or Rellekka, grab your rod and bait, and start fishing today!