Gurnard

GURNARD

Chelidonichthys kumu

VIDEO

RECORD: 1.36kg, C. Johnstone, Wairarapa, 1976

DESCRIPTION:

A fairly rarely speared fish, gurnard make for fantastic eating.  They are an elongated, flathead shaped fish but perhaps their most striking feature are their beautiful pectoral fins that very much resembling the wings of a butterfly.

MoF REGULATIONS:

Size:                                                        25cm

Bag limit:                                              Part of 20 finfish limit

FEEDING HABITS & HABITAT:

The gurnard lives over the sand where it uses it's finger like pectoral rays to forrage for small crustaceans and other small food items.  Perhaps surprisingly, their bright colour is excellent camoflage at depth as red fades.

HUNTING TECHNIQUES:

While rarely specifically targeted, gurnard are often encountered while scalloping.  They are generally not flighty and it's usually a matter of simply swimming down and shooting them or stabbing them with your knife.  The best way to target gurnard is to set up ground berley stations.  Paddle crabs are their favorite.