b'GURNARDGurnard bite quite softly on the lure and often need some coaxing to take the hooks right in. When I feel a few taps on the rod I will lift and wind to hopefully get the fish to rise and take. If it doesnt, I plop the lure back onto the sea floor to throw up some sand.A solid Hawkes Bay winter gurnard comes aboard the boat.SLOW JIGGINGThe first reliable technique I employ is slow jigging. It has a few great advantages with the moving skirt highly visible to any fish in the area. Gurnard being a hunting predator, feed mostly on live prey like paddle crabs, baby flounder and shrimp. They feed on sight and a small lure fits the bill perfectly. When I fish slow jigs for gurnard, I want to stay put to keep the lures over a small, centralized area. I have been more successful at anchor and funnily struggle when drifting. Gurnard arent the fastest Bullet tuna is aswimmers and have a tough time keeping favoured bait andup with a lure racing along a drifting boat.ensure the barbGurnard bite quite softly on the lure protrudes as gurnardand often need some coaxing to take the have a hard mouthhooks right in. When I feel a few taps on to penetrate.the rod I will lift and wind to hopefully 60FISHING IN GODZONE SEP/OCT 2021'