Gurnard (Chelidonichthys kumu)
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Time to read 2 min
Meet the Gurnard, commonly known as the "Carrots" of the sea amongst New Zealand divers and anglers due to their bright orange colour. These little guys may not be the biggest fish in the sea, but they’re packed with flavour.
In NZ waters, you’ll typically find two main types: the Bluefin Gurnard and the Pacific Red Gurnard(Chelidonichthys kumu). Depending on where you are, you might hear them called Pūwhaiau up north or Kumukumu down south. These bottom feeders will often hang around while you're out gathering scallops, and trust me, they’re a prized catch — especially when the weather gets chilly.
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Where To Find Them?
Gurnard are a bit sneaky — they love hanging out on sandy or muddy seabeds, spots most divers tend to skip over. But if you’re up for a bit of exploring, hit those sandy bays!
Gurnard like to stick close to shore in shallow waters, which means you want some clear water and an offshore wind to make conditions nice and comfortable. Winter is prime time to catch these beauties, but make sure you’re geared up to stay warm once you’re done, as it can get pretty nippy out there!
Gurnard Stats: Size Matters (Sort Of)
Gurnard aren’t large fish; however, they can grow up to 50cm long and weigh as much as 2kg. The legal size limit for Gurnard in New Zealand is 25cm, but if you’re after a meal that’ll fill you up, aim for ones that are 35cm or bigger.
How to Catch 'Em
When you’re out for Gurnard it’s all about setting up the perfect burley trail. They love a good feed, so use fine burleys made from kina or mussels to lure them in — just skip the fish and frames unless you want to deal with other unwanted predators.
Place 4 or 5 burleys around the bay, each weighed down in a mesh bag or cage, and attached to a float and dive flag. Give it 10-15 minutes, then dive down the float lines and check for Gurnard sitting on the bottom motionless next to the burley.
Approach from above to avoid startling them, aim for the head and take a clean shot using one of our 75cm Spearguns. This will ensure you get good undamaged fillets.
How to Cook 'Em
Gurnard are one of those versatile fish that are super easy to cook and guaranteed to be a hit with the family.
Try filleting Gurnard and preparing it your favourite way. Whether you’re into a pan-fried, baked, or even a crispy beer-battered Gurnard, its mild flavour and tender texture make it a winner every time.
Checkout some delicious Gurnard recipes below:
Gurnard are not just tasty, they’re also a lot of fun to catch!
You don’t need a ton of gear, so whether you’re diving off a boat, kayak, or even just from the shore, Gurnard are an awesome target for your next fishing adventure.
Brendon from Divetech – Go Hard & Have Fun!
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The Author: Brendon (Dive Division Manager)
Brendon is a seasoned diver with nearly 35 years of experience and a passion for the ocean. From a PADI instructor to a commercial diver on oil rigs and wrecks across NZ, Australia, and Papua New Guinea, he has seen a lot! Now, he enjoys teaching his children about the underwater world. A staunch advocate for ocean conservation, Brendon views Divetech as a means to help others explore and appreciate the importance of protecting our oceans.
