b'Opportunistic hunters, gurnard will take lures such as softbaits when drifting over the sand.snapper fishing there.Surfcasting off Ripiro Beach when the sea is calm after an easterly wind, the gurnard come in close and are caught in good numbers off sand banks at low tide.They are poorer swimmers than other species, so with a low swell it makes sense they come in closer to shore to hunt for crabs inLarge gurnard are often caught by surfcasters out on the calmer conditions. the west coast of Northland./FISHINGINGODZONE45'