Little fish fact
A small coastal detail to remember: Red gurnard are found on muddy sandy ground adjacent to rocks. They can be found in deep or shallow waters.
Fishing for Red Gurnard
Bait - sand eel, mackerel, worm, squid, crab
Method - weighted hook
Good places to catch red gurnard in Cornwall are Port Isaac, Cadgwith & Kennack Sands, the rocks off Porthtowan
Identification
Large pectoral fins with very solid skull. Six spiny legs on each side and sharp spines on the gill plates and dorsal fins that inject a mild poison that can cause mild pain for a couple of days. They croak when you catch them.
Length
Length is 30-40cm
Breeding Time
Spring and Early Summer
Latin Names
Order - Scleroparei
Latin Name - aspitrigla cuculus
Family - Triglidae
Habitat
Red gurnard are found on muddy sandy ground adjacent to rocks. They can be found in deep or shallow waters.
Suggested Cooking Methods & Recipes
In past times these fish were either thrown back or used as bait by fishermen. Nowadays they are regarded as a good eating fish and their popularity is increasing. They are a sustainable fish although best avoided, if possible, during the spring and early summer as it is their spawning season.
