Tub Gurnard
The tub gurnard is the largest of the four gurnard species in UK waters and one of the most visually striking fish an angler can pull from the sea.
Found all around the British coastline, it's a genuine target species for LRF (light rock fishing) anglers and boat anglers alike — not just a by-catch. Its table quality has earned it the nickname 'chicken of the sea.'
Scientific Name: Chelidonichthys lucerna
Also known as Grunter, Sapphirine gurnard, Tubfish, Yellow gurnard
- Deep orange-red or pink-brown back fading to silver-white belly; the large pectoral fins are the key ID feature — bright blue-green with dark spots, edged in vivid turquoise on adults.
- Younger fish lack the blue fin edge and show blue-black spots on the pectorals instead — useful for separating juveniles from grey and red gurnard.
- Shovel-like pointed snout, large toothless mouth, and a bony armoured head; three free finger-like rays beneath the pectorals used to 'walk' the seabed.
- Common catches run 1–2 lb from shore; boat fish regularly reach 5 lb. British record stands above 11 lb, with the shore record over 12 lb.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to UK waters; found all around the British and Irish coastline from shallow inshore ground down to around 300 m, though most rod-caught fish come from 1–25 m.
- Particularly well represented in the South West (Cornwall), Wales (notably the north Welsh coast around Rhyl), and throughout southern and eastern England.
- Favours sandy and mixed sand-gravel seabeds where it can use its finger-like rays to probe for prey; also found over shell-grit and light rough ground.
- Juveniles concentrate in shallow sandy bays and estuarine margins; larger adults move into deeper water but return inshore during warmer months.
Key Locations
- Rhyl, north Wales — well-known boat fishing port for larger tubs, with multiple fish on the same rig a realistic prospect.
- Cornwall — particularly productive for juvenile and mid-sized fish from shore over sandy ground; a reliable LRF target throughout the warmer months.
- South East and East Anglian coasts — 51 and 22 marks respectively logged for the species, with sandy inshore ground throughout.
- Wales broadly — 69 recorded marks across 12 counties make it the most consistently productive region in the UK for this species.
Specific Spots
- Sandy or mixed-bottom ground is the primary zone — tubs patrol these areas actively, using their adapted fin-rays to feel out buried prey.
- From shore, sandy beaches, sandy-bottomed rock edges, and harbour mouths with sandy run-offs all produce fish, especially where there's a gentle slope.
- From a boat, work the edges of sandbanks and any transition from clean sand to light rough ground — these boundaries concentrate both prey and fish.
- Tubs respond well to movement, so covering ground slowly — whether drifting on a boat or retrieving along the bottom from shore — finds fish faster than static fishing.
Tub Gurnard FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Tub Gurnard?
Soft plastic worms and sandeel imitations (including Isome and Gulp worm) on size 8–12 hooks, worked slowly across sandy ground with occasional lifts and bounces, are the go-to LRF approach, tubs key in on the movement.
When is the best time to fish for Tub Gurnard?
Late spring through early summer, fish move inshore as water temperatures climb; juvenile tubs become plentiful in shallow sandy bays. Summer, peak inshore season; the most consistent period for shore-caught fish and good numbers from the boat.
How do you catch Tub Gurnard?
Shore anglers work sandy beaches and harbour mouths with light LRF gear and soft plastics or baited rigs, covering ground slowly to find fish. Boat anglers drift over sandy and mixed ground using scratch rigs baited with ragworm, sandeel or mackerel strip, or drop small metals and soft plastics to the bottom.
What do Tub Gurnard eat?
Small fish are the main food, sandeels, sprats, and juvenile flatfish, which is why sandeel-profile soft plastics and metal lures draw strikes; a slow retrieve along the bottom mimics a wounded sandeel perfectly. Crustaceans and worms make up a large part of the diet too: ragworm, prawns, and small crabs.
Where do Tub Gurnard live?
Native to UK waters; found all around the British and Irish coastline from shallow inshore ground down to around 300 m, though most rod-caught fish come from 1–25 m.
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