John Dory
John Dory is one of the strangest fish an angler can pull from UK waters — a disc-shaped, paper-thin predator that drifts through coastal reefs and rocky ground like a ghost.
Most UK catches come as a bonus while fishing for other species off the West Country and western coasts of Ireland. Rare enough to stop you in your tracks, but genuinely catchable from a boat over the right ground.
Scientific Name: Zeus faber
Also known as St. Peter's Fish, St Pierre
- Almost perfectly circular body, laterally compressed so thin it nearly disappears face-on — olive-yellow to brown, with white or gold blotches and a pale belly.
- A single large black spot on each flank, said to be St Peter's thumbprints — these help startle prey and confuse predators.
- Large head with a distinctive extendable, tube-like mouth; first dorsal fin carries 8–10 long, sharp spines — handle with care.
- Average UK fish run around 2 lb (0.9 kg); bigger specimens reach 9 lb (4 kg) or more, with the species growing to around 70 cm.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Found on all British and Irish coasts, but most reliably off southern and western England, the West Country, and the western coast of Northern Ireland.
- A demersal species that hunts from shallow coastal water down to around 400 m, though most rod-caught fish come from moderate depths over reefs and rough ground.
- Moves inshore during warmer months; retreats to deeper offshore water in cold or rough conditions.
- Genuinely uncommon in the North Sea — any John Dory caught there is a notable find.
Key Locations
- West Country coast (Cornwall, Devon) — the most consistent area for UK John Dory, with fish landed at ports including Newlyn, Plymouth, and Looe.
- Western Northern Ireland coast — noted as one of the better locations for boat-caught fish.
- Irish Sea — within range, though catches are less frequent than off the southwest.
- North Sea — very occasional; any catch here is unusual and worth reporting.
Specific Spots
- Rocky reefs and rough ground hold John Dory because that's where small fish and sandeels concentrate — the prey draws them in.
- Wrecks are productive: the baitfish that swarm around wreck structure attract John Dory hunting in the water column just above the seabed.
- Wherever sprats, herrings, or small pollack shoal inshore, a John Dory may be drifting nearby, using its thinness to approach unseen from head-on.
John Dory FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for John Dory?
Small whole fish, sprat, herring, pilchard, or sandeel, are the top baits, fished on a single hook ledgered near the seabed over reefs or wrecks. Fish strips (mackerel, herring, squid) work when whole fish aren't available; keep the bait moving naturally in the tide rather than pinned hard to the bottom.
When is the best time to fish for John Dory?
Summer and autumn (roughly June through November) produce the most inshore fish as warmer water draws them closer to the coast. January and April through November are listed as viable months by Cornish fishery guides, with February, March, and December seeing fewer fish inshore.
How do you catch John Dory?
John Dory are almost always caught from a boat while fishing reefs, rough ground, or wrecks for other species. Drifting or anchoring over known baitfish marks with whole small fish or strips ledgered near the seabed is the most reliable approach; shore catches are rare enough to be noteworthy.
What do John Dory eat?
Feeds almost entirely on small fish, sprats, herrings, sandeels, dragonets, and young pollack, ambushing them with a lightning-fast suction strike from its extendable mouth. Small whole fish or fish strips fished near the seabed directly imitate this prey.
Where do John Dory live?
Found on all British and Irish coasts, but most reliably off southern and western England, the West Country, and the western coast of Northern Ireland. A demersal species that hunts from shallow coastal water down to around 400 m, though most rod-caught fish come from moderate depths over reefs and rough ground.
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