Grunion run fishing is a strategic method to concentrating on predatory fish that feed on grunion throughout their spawning runs. Unique to Southern California, grunion runs happen on sandy seashores through the excessive tides of full and new moons in spring and summer time. These small fish come ashore to spawn for 3 to 4 consecutive nights, attracting bigger sport fish like halibut, corvina, and sharks. Understanding whether or not to fish earlier than, throughout, or after a grunion run can considerably impression your success in capitalizing on this feeding frenzy.
For the expected schedule of this yr’s grunion run dates, head on over to the linked article – Grunion Runs: The place, When, and How – surffishingsocalsd.com.
Grunion runs could make for unbelievable fishing alternatives as a result of they sometimes lead to an abnormally excessive quantity of bait within the water near shore. When there’s quite a lot of bait near shore, there’s probably quite a lot of larger predatory fish near shore too. Let’s discuss easy methods to use a grunion run to your benefit, when to fish and what you may catch throughout a grunion run – in addition to earlier than and after.
Article Abstract and Navigation
Fishing Earlier than a Grunion Run
Gentle Deal with
In truth, you may catch the entire identical widespread species of surf fish that you simply may catch on some other day of the yr. However, you’ll have a greater likelihood at catching sure species of fish for those who head to the appropriate seashore on the proper time.
Gentle deal with surf fishing for corbina and croaker is without doubt one of the much less considerably impacted kinds of surf fishing. Nonetheless, it’s through the hours simply earlier than a grunion run that you have to be concentrating on corbina, croaker, surfperch, guitarfish and different comparable species. Since these species aren’t prone to change into far more energetic through the nights of grunion runs, you need to make the most of the rising tide and sundown chew main as much as a run. Your greatest guess is to stay to the fundamentals and fish with a Carolina rig and sand crabs.
I’ve skilled solely two particular cases during which a grunion run sparked a sizzling chew through the run whereas fishing with sand crabs. On these nights, we caught a great deal of chunky yellowfin croaker and guitarfish.
One factor to notice is that these species sometimes change into much less energetic after darkish so if the grunion aren’t working that evening, you received’t have nice luck. A smelly bait like squid might assist however you’ll additionally appeal to plenty of rays and child sharks.
Lures
Typically talking, the lure species together with the sharks and rays are most affected by grunion runs and in comparable methods. Whereas I do imagine fishing for each species through the run presents highest potential, halibut, white seabass, calico bass and different species have been identified to go on feeding frenzies through the sundown hour main as much as the evening of a grunion run.
I particularly prefer to make the most of this tactic the place I do know there are deep troughs shut in to shore close to reef throughout an incoming excessive tide. Moreover, I prefer to fish the times previous to a grunion run round sundown as a result of that prime tide happens proper at sundown which presents a singular alternative.
Sharks and Rays
Surf fishing for sharks earlier than a grunion run presents nothing actual completely different from surf fishing the morning after. It’s higher odds than any regular day for a soupfin and possibly even nonetheless a little bit higher odds for leopard sharks.
That mentioned, the con is that these large tidal swing could make for amplified surf and present, and if it’s kelpy, it will probably break your outing. So, if the water is clear and surf is low, odds of hooking a shark the afternoon/night earlier than a grunion run happens is extraordinarily excessive.
Fishing Throughout a Grunion Run
Gentle Deal with
I received’t contact on gentle deal with surf fishing throughout a grunion run a lot. It may be productive if the yellowfin croaker are available heavy or if there’s an excellent quantity of guitarfish child leopard sharks and smoothhound sharks or different species, however typically talking, nothing’s going to beat that sundown chew.
Lures
The lure species is the place potential enhance is the best. However, it’s increase or bust and it’s sometimes increase (10%) and bust (90%). So be warned that it isn’t simple. When tough surf, present and seaweed meet a pitch black night, fishing could be extraordinarily troublesome so any time you’re surf fishing a grunion run it really is a chance. Shark fishing is definitely the best sort of evening fishing since you depart the rod in a holder and watch for the chew.
Surf fishing for halibut, white seabass and different predatory species throughout a grunion run could be achieved using both lures like swimbaits or by utilizing stay or lifeless grunion for bait through the open season for grunion.
All that mentioned, your reward could be huge. Massive white seabass, corvina and barracuda have been identified to come back in near shore throughout grunion runs offering a singular alternative for surf anglers in So Cal.
Sharks and Rays
Throughout a grunion run, shark fishing could be nice. Particularly, your odds of catching a soupfin shark enhance pretty properly. In case you’re already there for the sundown chew, you may as properly stick round a pair others for an opportunity to witness the grunion run and hook up on a giant shark mid-frenzy.
Fishing throughout a grunion run could be one of the crucial productive instances to catch sharks. Soupfin, leopard sharks, and even sevengill are identified to feed extra actively on nights of grunion runs. Your bait will stay the identical as all the time in a recent chunk of reduce bait. Croaker, surfperch, mackerel and plenty of comparable sorts of reduce bait will work simply superb. Learn the species hyperlinks to be taught extra about easy methods to goal every.
For leopard sharks, all you want is a seashore that has sufficient sand to maintain the inevitable excessive tide of a grunion run.
For soupfin sharks and sevengill sharks, the first step is similar as it’s for leopards, however when you want sufficient house to resist the excessive tide, you additionally want some exhausting construction like rocks or reefs. These species like to hang around in areas with reefs close by. Doesn’t should be on a reef, simply close by.
Fishing the Morning After a Grunion Run
Gentle Deal with, Sharks and Rays
Gentle deal with and sharks as talked about above could be very productive the morning after a grunion run. If these are what you’re after, do it! However, concentrating on the lure species is what’s most importantly impacted by the chance the morning after a grunion run presents.
Lures
For these species (halibut, white seabass, calico and so on.), you’ll head to comparable seashores you’d for soupfin and sevengill and use their corresponding baits.
Why does a grunion make for higher bait and wait fishing? As a result of calico and sand bass will feed on each lifeless bait and stay baitfish. Naturally, they’ll comply with the bait and so they aren’t prone to cross up a straightforward meal like a ball of shrimp if it’s introduced correctly.
For halibut and white seabass, you’ll almost definitely use lures but when you will get your arms on stay grunion the following morning someway… use it. The identical arrange beneath works properly for fishing with stay grunion, however as an alternative of a lure, use a Carolina rig and a 1-2/0 hook with a 20lb fluoro chief.
My Gear and Most well-liked Lures:
It’s a good suggestion to focus on halibut and white seabass throughout, earlier than and after a grunion run. Utilizing stay grunion throughout a run presents you an exceptional alternative to catch these predatory species. Even utilizing lures throughout a run or within the afternoon/night main as much as final gentle and the following run is a good suggestion.
However, I’d say the morning after presents a extra constant and handy alternative to focus on these species. Why? Nicely, two causes.
- Sunlight hours present higher visibility for fish that feed on bait and tackle lures.
- The morning of a grunion run often leads to a gray gentle unfavourable tide.
So what’s good in regards to the low tide? I wrote about this in a current article overviewing calico bass fishing from the surf.
Why Low Tide is Particular
Construction could be submerged at fishable tidal heights (when construction is submerged sufficient to carry fish and in casting vary) at excessive tide and low tide. However, one of the best construction is often in areas the place vegetation grows. You won’t notice this, however most of So Cal’s (San Diego included) shoreline is lined with reefy, vegetation-filled construction.
Why don’t we see it, as a result of vegetation grows solely the place the water is continually offering it with vitamins. Which suggests it’s far sufficient out into the water that we will’t see it from the seashore except there’s a dramatic low tide.
That is the place King Tides are available and this is the reason low tides are higher for lure fishing within the surf.
Which Evening of a Grunion Run is Greatest for Fishing?
I get this query very often. The reply is advanced. Before everything, it relies upon which day’s situations present a greater alternative to your desired model of fishing and goal. I have a look at the surf top, wind and tides and let that decide which species I’ll goal and due to this fact which day I’ll fish (relying on availability).
In case you’ve learn this whole article, you need to have the ability to decide which days of a grunion run can be greatest for fishing
Is Surf Fishing at Evening Exhausting?
Surf fishing at evening could be robust to determine. You may’t rely a lot in your imaginative and prescient and also you’ll must belief your instincts a bit extra. Grunion runs could make evening fishing value whereas although so it’s definitely value a shot. Earlier than you exit, ensure you know easy methods to plan for shore fishing at evening.
Is a Full Moon or New Moon Higher for Fishing?
I’ve all the time had higher luck fishing through the full moon versus the brand new moon. I may additionally add that the majority of my expertise fishing full and new moons is for sharks in order that’s value noting.
