All species
UK shore species
Tub gurnard
Chelidonichthys lucerna
Also Yellow gurnard, Gurnard
Beginnerledger
Habitat
Mixed sand, the edge of rough, some piers.
Season
Peak: Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct
Also possible: May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov
The biggest of the common UK gurnards, with bright pectoral ‘wings’. Mixed ground, a walking fish that takes a worm or a strip.
- Armoured, bony head
- Huge, colourful pectoral fins — red, blue, green on a tub
- Three ‘walking’ rays under the head
- Reddish body on a tub, paler belly
A 30 cm tub is decent from the shore. They grow larger.
- Colour
- Red-brown with vivid pectoral ‘wings’.
- Fins
- Large pectorals, two dorsals.
- Mouth
- Underslung on an armoured head.
Ranked for this species, not as a universal law. Local crab runs and what is actually fresh matter more.
- LugwormThread the worm so the hook is hidden and the tail still moves. A bunch for bigger fish; a single for dabs.Strong target
- RagwormHook once through the head so it wriggles. A whole king rag for bass; a small harbour rag for dabs.Strong target
- MackerelA thin strip on a small hook; a side on a Pennel; a whole fish on a running tope rig.Good target
- SquidA strip on a flapper; a whole small squid or a wrap over fish on a Pennel.Possible target
- 2-hook flapperThe default UK beach rig. Two snoods above a lead, baits off the bottom, easy to tie, easy to fish.Beginner
- 1-up 1-downOne bait on a snood above the lead, one on a flowing trace below. Covers the bottom and a few inches up.Beginner
- Running ledgerThe lead slides on the line so a shy fish does not feel the weight. Simple and sensitive close in.Beginner
Hooks: 4–1/0