Grunion Run: 4 Things You Need to Know

Grunion Running refers to the catch of Grunion when it comes out at night to spawn in the spring and summer in Southern California. Grunion refers to two species of marine fish: the Gulf Grunion and the Californian Grunion. There are rules for California Granion races during spawning on the beach, including grunion season and how to protect them, as well as ways to see fish at night. Here’s what you need to keep in mind to get the most out of your grunion run.

What does the Grunion run include?

Other fish spawn on beaches, but none do it completely out of water like the grunion. You won’t catch a grunion the way you catch other fish, such as fishing in a body of water, although you still need to have a fishing license. Instead, you catch them manually. This is because they are only allowed to be caught during grunion season, when they spawn on a California beach. It is illegal to catch them so that their population does not become overfished. In addition, no one knows exactly where the mysterious fish go after spawning. As a unique species, Grunion is found only off the coast of California, making it particularly important to the California beach ecosystem.

What can you do with Grunion?

Grunion makes an excellent bait for predatory fish, it stays on the hook and does not break, unlike anchovies. As a moderately fatty fish, it is served stewed, deep-fried or grilled. Catching and releasing grunion is popular with people who are not going to eat it or use fish as bait.

When do Grunion races happen?

Grunion season runs from March to September on the beaches of the Pacific coast. In California, it occurs in southern regions including Point Conception, Baja, and Santa Barbara. Fish spawning occurs during or after the new moon and full moon. April, May and June are peak spawning periods when Grunion forays are greater and you are more likely to see them. According to reports from the Department of Fishing and Wildlife, the expected runs of grunion include four nights after the new moon and full moon. They most often occur on the second, third, fourth and fifth nights after the full moon or new moon, with the third and fourth nights being the best. After high tide, there is a two hour window in which fish are most likely to appear.

How to go jogging in Grunion

Grunion is easy to recognize by the mileage. During the run, the grunion females come ashore to lay eggs high on the shore, and the males follow them to fertilize them. Although spawning usually begins at night after the full moon and new moon, grunion spawns can occur during daytime when there is high tide.

On the other hand, fish are elusive. It’s best to watch it at night, which is more fun anyway. It avoids flashing lights, crowds and noise and prefers soft, sandy and flat beaches. It also tends to spawn at the ends of the beaches. Southern California has the largest grunion trails, while smaller grunion trails run further north. However, this also means that the areas with the larger slopes of the Grunion can also be the noisiest and most crowded places, making it difficult to fish.

Tips to remember about running Grunion

• How to protect the grunion: Remember the law. April and May are off-season or closed months when you cannot fish or contact fish. To fish for grunion before and after April and May, you must have a valid Fisheries and Wildlife Department license for persons over 16 years of age. No one can use any equipment, including buckets, traps, hooks or nets, as they can only be caught. allowed with bare hands. It is also illegal to fish a fish that you are not going to use if you do not catch it and then release it.
• What is the best way to see grunion at night: There are two tides along the Pacific coast of North America, with the high tide occurring at night during the spring and summer months. It is only during higher tides and after they begin to recede that you will see grunions spawning. During this time, you will also have to compete with birds waiting to feast on fish. To have a better chance of seeing and catching them, you need to find a beach that is flat and sandy rather than steep and pebbly. You will also need a long and wide beach to keep you safe and safe from the risk of colliding with cliffs at high tide. When the grunions appear, you will notice that they are about the size of a sardine or hot dog, about 5-6 inches. They have silver sides, silver bellies, and bluish-green backs. As quiet as possible and minimize the light so you don’t scare them away.

Conclusion

Grunion is a small, unique fish that spawns entirely from the water on the beaches of California. The term “grunion run” refers to both the appearance of fish during spawning and the art of catching them. This is a fun way to catch the most abundant fish without endangering the species. If you remember the rules, you can safely go to the grunion and practice fishing by hand.