Grunion are known for their unusual mating ritual wherein at very high tides, the females come up on to sandy beaches where they dig their tails into the sand to lay their eggs. The male then wraps himself around the female to deposit his sperm, and for the next 10 days the grunion eggs remain hidden in the sand.

What is so unusual about grunion?

A unique feature of the grunion's breeding biology results in its spawning on particular nights during the warm months, just after the highest tide. ... The eggs are actually laid in the sand on the beach during a full or new moon when the tide cycle is at its peak (spring tide).

Why do Grunions spawn on the beach?

Grunion reproduce by coming completely out of the water to lay their eggs on sandy beaches. Shortly after high tide, af- ter the new or full moon, sections of these beaches may be covered with thousands of fish dancing about on the sand. Some of the largest, most consistent grunion runs occur in Orange County.

What time do Grunions come out?

Part of Southern California's ocean heritage is going to the beach around midnight to watch the grunion come ashore to spawn. As they have for generations, grunion runs occur during a three- to four-night span following a full or new moon, as the nighttime high tide is receding, typically from March through August.

Can you eat grunion eggs?

If you clean them, take the heads off and gut them, you can just bread them and fry them. Other people, just wash them off and eat them whole after frying them.

Fish "Walks" on Beach to Spawn | National Geographic

Are grunion sardines?

tenuis, and the Gulf grunion, L. ... sardinas. They are sardine-sized teleost fishes of the New World silverside family Atherinopsidae, found only off the coast of California, USA, and Baja California, Mexico, where the species are found on both the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of California coasts.

Do grunion have bones?

Before cooking the grunion, be sure to clean each fish, removing the heads, tails, and innards. Bone removal is optional.

Are Grunions real?

California grunion are a species of marine fish found only along the coast of southern California and northern Baja California. They are justifiably famous for their unique spawning behavior. Grunion spawn completely out of the water and lay their eggs on many sandy beaches in California.

Are smelt and grunion the same?

Although, smelt are not related to grunion, they deliver a similar delicate flavor. A Few Grunion Facts: "Grunion are the object of a unique recreational fishery. ... Grunion leave the water at night to spawn on beaches during the spring and summer months.

Can dogs eat grunion?

Grunions, native only to Southern California and the upper Baja Peninsula, have a peculiar mating ritual. ... Four young girls claim they have seen some grunion wiggling on the shore, and they have plans for any they catch. One suggests frying and eating them. Another warns not to keep them as pets — dogs might eat them.

What should I bring to a grunion run?

What to bring: a flashlight, a beach chair, a bucket to put your grunion in, and a fishing license if you are planning to take them.

What do grunion fish eat?

California grunion are plankton eaters; they eat small, pelagic crustaceans and other zooplankton. Though they eat very small prey, they use their relatively large eyes and strong eyesight to attack individual prey.

How do grunion babies make it back to the sea?

The baby grunion wait for the next cycle of high tides to take them back out to sea. That typically means a two-week wait. ... When the high tides do return, the grunion get swept out by the waves. The cold seawater is the signal to hatch.

What does the Spanish word grunion mean?

: a silverside (Leuresthes tenuis) of the California coast notable for the regularity with which it comes inshore to spawn at nearly full moon.

Is grunion a good bait?

Obviously grunion make a tremendous baitfish, so collecting them during open seasons is a no-brainer, and fishing them live (either fly-lined or if the current is strong, a 1/2 oz egg sinker) is a great way to get the halibut or corvina of a lifetime.

Which beach is best for grunion run?

• Imperial Beach City Beach. Imperial Beach, California has an impressive beach running the length of its waterfront called Imperial Beach City Beach. ...
• Coronado Shores Beach. ...
• Coronado Beach. ...
• Ocean Beach City Beach. ...
• Mission Beach. ...
• La Jolla Shores Beach. ...
• Del Mar City Beach. ...
• Oceanside Pier View North Beach.

Why do Grunions run?

Digging holes in the sand as traps is also forbidden. The primary reason for going to grunion runs is because it's fun. But it is also a great way to get fresh seafood. Grunion can be cooked in a variety of tasty ways, just check out our featured grunion run recipes.

What is done to protect grunion populations?

How are grunion protected? Closed Season: During April and May no take of grunion is allowed. This is the best time for observations. Gear Restrictions: When take is permitted, anglers over the age of 16 must have a valid California fishing license and may not use any form of gear, nets or traps.

Can you freeze grunion?

Just put them in a bucket and when the night is over have larger ziplock bags. I did not risen them at all, just put about 12 in a bag, layer them flat and freeze the bag. Unless I was fishing the next morning then I would leave those out. The frozen Grunion will keep forever.

Is there such a fish as a sardine?

Sardine, any of certain food fishes of the herring family, Clupeidae, especially members of the genera Sardina, Sardinops, and Sardinella; the name sardine can also refer to the common herring (Clupea harengus) and to other small herrings or herringlike fishes when canned in oil.

What fish lives in the sand?

sandfish, any of several unrelated marine fishes found along sandy shores. Sandfishes, or beaked salmon, of the species Gonorhynchus gonorhynchus (family Gonorhynchidae) live in shallow to deep Indo-Pacific waters and can burrow rapidly in sand.

How much is a fishing license in CA?

The current California annual fishing license fees for 2021 are $52.66 for a resident and $142.05 for a nonresident. For short-term licenses, the fees are as follows: One-day Sport Fishing License: $17.02. Two-Day Sport Fishing License: $26.49.