Gurnard are common on the east 
coast of Godzone but it is over 
on the west side that provides a 
larger population and average fish 
size for anglers.  The Manukau and 
Kaipara harbours are renown for 
big gurnard, due to the abundance 
of natural food and we have 
caught them up to 1.5kg and over 
50cm often when fishing there.
Surfcasting off Ripiro Beach off 
Dargaville when the sea is calm 
after an easterly wind, the gurnard 
will venture 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 in the calmer conditions.
I have gutted gurnard after 
catching them when surfcasting 
off Ripiro Beach and was surprised 
to see them full of baby flounder, 
which must be a favourite food 
along with small paddle crabs.
Below are a several key tips to 
help you land more carrots.
BEST HOOK
Ensure you use a circle or recurve 
hook as they have tough mouths, 
but you don’t need to strike on 
bites, just let the hook set by itself.  
Best sizes to use are 4/0 – 6/0.
LEDGER RIGS
When surfcasting or fishing in boats, 
a ledger rig using a recurve hook 
(Black Magic KLT) is a good option 
to fish with.  This will also work on 
snapper, trevally, and gurnard.  Tie 
the rigs using 30 or 40lb leader, just 
in case a big snapper hits your bait.
Gurnard are opportunistic hunters and will 
happily take lures such as softbaits or slow jigs 
with tassels when drifting slowly over the sand.
Snapper Snacks 
are a great pre-
tied two-hook rig 
that work well 
on gurnard when 
baited with small 
fresh baits.
Feature
52  FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE

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