How to catch Tub gurnard
Chelidonichthys lucerna (Linnaeus, 1758)
About Tub gurnard fishing
The tub gurnard is a striking marine bottom-dweller belonging to the family Triglidae, easily recognised by its large, bony head, reddish-brown body, and magnificent bright blue-margined pectoral fins. Growing up to eighty centimetres in total length, this demersal species inhabits sandy, muddy, and gravelly grounds across coastal waters down to three hundred metres deep. It relies on specialised, finger-like pectoral fin rays to walk along the seabed while hunting crustaceans and small fishes. The species undertakes seasonal bathymetric movements, shifting into shallower coastal zones during warmer months.
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Difficulty
Medium
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Average size
30 cm TL
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Market value
Medium
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Habitat
Saltwater
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Season
Spring, Summer, Autumn
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Also known as
Sapphirine gurnard, Searobin, tub, Tube-fish, Tubfish, Yellow gurnard
Large pectoral fin
Massive wing-like pectoral fin with bright blue spots helps identify the tub gurnard.
Bony armored head
Heavy bony plates and ridges on the head distinguish this species from other fish.
Free pectoral rays
Detached lower rays of the pectoral fin are used for walking along the bottom.
Tub gurnard fishing facts
Characteristics
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Typical size
30 cm TL (max 82.8 cm TL ) -
Typical weight
1.2 kg (max 6.6 kg ) -
Preferred temperature
7–16 °C -
Depth
20–318 m -
Longevity
15 years -
Body shape
Elongated -
Commercial?
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Vulnerability score
54.9
Best hours
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Active
Dawn
First light
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Peak
Morning
After sunrise
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Low
Midday
High sun
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Active
Afternoon
Late day
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Peak
Dusk
Last light
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Low
Night
After dark
When to fish for Tub gurnard
How to catch Tub gurnard
Tips for catching Tub gurnard
Anglers target the tub gurnard by presenting baits or lures directly on or very close to sandy and mixed seabeds where the fish actively forage. Bottom fishing with baited rigs or slow-retrieving small soft plastics and spinners along the substrate triggers aggressive strikes, as the species relies heavily on movement to spot prey. Working shallow marks during calm summer daylight hours yields the most consistent sport, particularly when keeping retrieves slow and steady to mimic scrambling crustaceans.
Other names for Tub gurnard
Local and alternate names anglers use for Tub gurnard.
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Yellow gurnard
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Yellow-gurnard
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Tube-fish
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Tubfish
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Tub gurnard
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tub
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Searobin
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Sapphirine gurnard
Best equipment to catch Tub gurnard
Compare fishing methods for Tub gurnard — sized kit for each technique.
Note: Typical fish is 1.2 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.
Bottom Fishing
Presenting bait or rigs on or near the lake or sea floor.
85% Effectiveness
Rod
Spinning rod
A spinning rod is a fishing rod built to carry a spinning reel under the blank. You cast lures and light baits with it from shore or a boat.
Sized for a typical fish
medium-light · 2.13 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Fast
- Grip
- EVA
Reel
Spinning reel
A spinning reel hangs under the fishing rod and is the default reel for casting lures and light baits. Line peels off an open spool with a bail.
Sized for a typical fish
1000 · 3 kg drag · 185 g
- Spool
- Fixed
- Mount
- Under
- Drag
- Front
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Monofilament line
Monofilament fishing line is the everyday main line: easy to knot, cheap to replace, and stretchy enough to forgive a hard strike.
Sized for a typical fish
3.6 kg · 0.2 mm
- Visibility
- Medium
- Abrasion
- Medium
- Stretch
- High
- Sink rate
- Slow
Leader
Fluorocarbon leader
A fluorocarbon leader is the clear, fast-sinking join between a visible main line and the lure or hook.
Sized for a typical fish
4 kg · 0.2 mm · 80 cm
- Visibility
- Very low
- Abrasion
- High
- Stretch
- Low
- Sink rate
- Fast
Hook
Circle hook
A circle hook turns in the mouth and usually finds the corner of the jaw. You do not strike hard — you come tight. It includes freshwater.
Sized for a typical fish
2
- Points
- 1
- Offset
- No
- Barbed
- Yes
- Gap
- Standard
Spinning
Casting and retrieving lures with a spinning rod and reel.
75% Effectiveness
Rod
Spinning rod
A spinning rod is a fishing rod built to carry a spinning reel under the blank. You cast lures and light baits with it from shore or a boat.
Sized for a typical fish
light · 2.1 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Fast
- Grip
- EVA
Reel
Spinning reel
A spinning reel hangs under the fishing rod and is the default reel for casting lures and light baits. Line peels off an open spool with a bail.
Sized for a typical fish
1000 · 3 kg drag · 185 g
- Spool
- Fixed
- Mount
- Under
- Drag
- Front
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Braided line
Braided fishing line is the thin, no-stretch main for long casts, jigging, and feeling every tick on the retrieve.
Sized for a typical fish
6 kg · 0.1 mm
- Visibility
- High
- Abrasion
- Low
- Stretch
- None
- Sink rate
- Floats
Leader
Fluorocarbon leader
A fluorocarbon leader is the clear, fast-sinking join between a visible main line and the lure or hook.
Sized for a typical fish
7 kg · 0.3 mm · 90 cm
- Visibility
- Very low
- Abrasion
- High
- Stretch
- Low
- Sink rate
- Fast
Best lures and baits for Tub gurnard
Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.
01
Lugworm
- Bottom Fishing
Fleshy, segmented body provides substantial scent and natural appeal for bottom fish.
02
Mackerel
- Bottom Fishing
Distinctive wavy dorsal stripes provide high contrast and flash underwater.
04
Sandworm
- Spinning
Distinct head region features prominent jaws used for live baiting presentations.
How Tub gurnard migrates — Bathymetric
Shifts between shallow and deeper water with the seasons rather than moving along the coast. Change depth before you change venue.
1 Warm months
Shallow water
Feed in shallow water through the warm months.
2 Cold months
Deep water
Drop into deeper water as it cools.
Larger adults often stay deeper all year.
Hover or tap a number to read each stage.
Diet and behavior of Tub gurnard
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Diet
Carnivore -
Feeds by
Hunts animals -
Hunts
Morning · Dusk -
Feeds over
Soft bottom -
Main prey
Baitfish · Bottom prey
Prey and predators of Tub gurnard
Prey is what Tub gurnard eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.
That is how it feeds, and how it is hunted.
Prey
What it eats
Predators
What hunts it
Fish
Where Tub gurnard lives
Lives on or just above the bottom. Work jigs, bait, and lures along the seabed.
20–318 m
Where this species lives
Tub gurnard photos for identification
Compare these photos with the catalog plate to identify the species.
Where to fish for Tub gurnard
Mapped fishing spots where Tub gurnard is recorded — open a pin for access and methods.
