Grey Gurnard| Fish Species Guide | Angling Direct

Grey Gurnard

Grey Gurnard

aka Eutrigla gurnardus

The smallest of the main 3 Gurnard species, this bottom-dwelling fish is dark grey in colour with a pale belly and like other species of gurnards, has fins with finger-like ridges that allow the fish to crawl the seabed. Grey gurnards live in loose shoals, tolerating brackish water in estuaries and forage on the seabed across most coasts of the British Isles and Europe. Its lateral line consists of bony, thorned scales with small fan-like pectoral fins which are again the smallest of the three main species.

FactThe gurnard family is named for its ability to make grunting or growling noises, which is produced by a muscle that vibrates the two-chambered swim bladder.

Stats

Habitat

Habitat

Muddy seabeds, offshore sandbanks and sandy bottoms down to 140m depth.

Bait

Bait

Shrimps, crustaceans & sandeels.

Fishing Tackle

Fishing Tackle

Native or Invasive

Native or Invasive

Native

Where

Where

Common in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean, from Iceland and Norway down to Morocco, the Mediterranean and largely in the UK.

Catch Experience Catch Experience

As visual hunters with a good population, the gurnards (Eutrigla gurnardus) feed best during daylight hours and enjoy calm and still water conditions. Not the easiest to catch as fussy and vigilant species, the gurnard can commonly be found in calmer areas such as marinas and harbours feeding over clean sand and mud. The best baits to use should be easily found, giving a strong scent, such as Mackerel and fresh fish baits. Once the drift has started, the best way to catch a gurnard is to allow the lead weight to hit bottom, then lift the rod tip back up immediately, holding the lead up slightly off the bottom. Finding a heavier lead weight minimises the chances of the line streaming away, once the correct weight is found, heavy enough to stay in contact with the seabed. An essential factor is to keep just enough lead to retain contact with the seabed, which will require a constant change of lead weight as the flow changes. Having the right lead weight is crucial as it helps detect bites, especially in deep water. Gurnard bites are as fast as they rattle as small fish; there will be a small presence of strength but a significant amount of movement. Gurnards can genuinely be released back into any water, provided that the hooks are removed safely through keeping them in the water and releasing them slowly back, holding the tail gently.

Video

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