Expert Tips to Catch Gurnard

As the water cools, there’s an underrated species that makes a worthwhile target around our coastal waters and harbours – the glorious gurnard. 

A curious critter

With its orange skin, bony, triangular head, and flamboyant fins, the gurnard is certainly an intriguing species. Beneath the alluring exterior lies a creature perfectly adapted to its environment. Gurnard, or ‘carrots’ as they are colloquially known, are bottom-dwelling fish, preferring sandy or muddy substrates where they can hunt for their favourite prey: crustaceans, molluscs, and small fish like blennies and juvenile flounder. Their flattened bodies and downturned mouths are well-suited to scouring the seabed in search of sustenance, and they use the lower three rays of their pectoral fins, which are finger-like feelers that contain sensory organs, to wander along the seafloor and detect slight movements from potential tucker. Adding to the mystery and intrigue is the fact that they grunt and croak when pulled out of the water.