What is a grunion?

1. Can you eat grunion?
2. What is so unusual about grunion?
3. What grunion means?
4. Is it illegal to catch grunion?
5. Are smelt and grunion the same?
6. How do you cook a grunion?
7. Does grunion taste good?
8. What preys on grunion in the ocean?
9. What do grunion people do?
10. What is a grunion run in California?
11. What's the definition for griping?
12. What does SPWN mean?
13. What should I bring to a grunion run?
14. Can dogs eat grunion?
15. What do grunion fish eat?

Can you eat grunion?

Grunion r easy and fun to catch, just the same, they are also easy to cook and eat! Using simple ingredients, you can prep some dishes sure to hold up your strength for the rest of the day.

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).

What grunion means?

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

Is it illegal to catch grunion?

Anyone sixteen years old and older needs a valid California sport fishing license (including the ocean enhancement stamp) to catch grunion. You do not need a license to observe a run, but if you plan to interact with the fish in any way, even if you do not plan to keep any fish, you will need a license.

Are smelt and grunion the same?

Although, smelt are not related to grunion, they deliver a similar delicate flavor. ... Grunion leave the water at night to spawn on beaches during the spring and summer months.

How do you cook a grunion?

The classic way to cook grunion, grilling is simple but does much to enhance the fish's natural flavor. Grilling can be done over an open flame, or in a foil packet. If you opt for the open-flame, dress the fish in oil and put them over a high fire. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned.

Does grunion taste good?

For those who plan on taking the fish home to eat, veteran grunion hunter Matt Christopherson warns that one taste of the skinny, crunchy little silver fish is often enough to last a lifetime. ... Most of the people who attended a recent one said they planned to throw their grunion back.

What preys on grunion in the ocean?

Spawning grunion have many predators, both in the ocean and on land. Halibut, corbina, guitarfish, seals and sea lions, sharks, dolphins, and squid feed on grunion in the water, while herons, egrets and other birds nab the spawning grunion on shore.

What do grunion people do?

Many people enjoy catching grunion at events called "grunion runs." 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.

What is a grunion run in California?

A grunion run refers to the activity of catching grunion when they come out at night to spawn during the spring and summer in Southern California. Grunion refers to two species of marine fish, the Gulf grunion and the California grunion.

What's the definition for griping?

verb (used without object), griped, grip·ing. Informal. to complain naggingly or constantly; grumble. to suffer pain in the bowels. Nautical.

What does SPWN mean?

SPWN is an entertainment space in virtual 3D space. The name "SPWN" comes from the term "SPAWN" used in games, etc., and means the point of occurrence such as "born" or "coming out".

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.

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 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.