John Dory
John Dory turn up around Ireland's south and west coasts as a genuine surprise catch — most come aboard while anglers are working reefs for pollack or cod.
Their plate-flat body, camouflage patterning, and telescopic mouth make them one of the most distinctive fish in Irish waters. The Irish record stands at 7lb 8oz, taken at Killala Bay in 1984, and the specimen weight is 4lb.
Scientific Name: Zeus faber
Also known as St. Peter's Fish, St. Pierre
- Body is almost circular and extremely thin side-on — like a dinner plate with fins. Olive-brown to yellow colouring with pale blotches and a white or gold wash on the flanks.
- A single large black spot ringed with pale colour sits near the centre of each flank — the feature that makes this fish unmistakable in hand.
- First dorsal fin carries 10 long, sharp spines with trailing filaments; handle carefully and avoid the spines entirely when unhooking.
- Typical rod-caught fish run 1–3lb; anything over 4lb qualifies as a specimen in Ireland, and the Irish record is 7lb 8oz.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- A native marine species in Irish waters, most reliably found along the south and west coasts where water is warmer and rougher ground is plentiful.
- Favours reef, kelp, and broken rocky ground from relatively shallow inshore water down to around 200m, though most rod-caught fish come from the upper part of that range.
- East coast records are rare — a 2025 catch off Wicklow Pier was notable enough to make news precisely because John Dory almost never show up on that side of the country.
- Commercial landings come primarily from the Celtic Sea and south coast, caught by trawl over mixed ground.
Key Locations
- Killybegs, Co. Donegal — a noted area for John Dory, with charter boats working the offshore reefs regularly encountering them as bycatch.
- Killala Bay, Co. Mayo — site of the Irish record catch; the bay's mixed ground and proximity to open Atlantic water suits the species.
- Loop Head and Carrigaholt, Co. Clare — the rough reef and strong tidal flows around the headland hold baitfish and attract John Dory through summer and autumn.
- Hook Head, Co. Wexford — the southernmost tip of the country, where warmer Celtic Sea water pushes inshore and John Dory appear with some regularity.
- Brandon Head, Co. Kerry — west coast headland with deep water close inshore and the reef structure John Dory favour.
Specific Spots
- Rough, broken reef and kelp beds are the core habitat — John Dory use the structure and weed cover to stalk baitfish at close range before striking.
- Work the edges where reef meets sand or gravel; baitfish school along these transitions and John Dory follow them.
- Wrecks hold baitfish year-round and attract John Dory for the same reason — jigging or drifting a bait close to wreck structure produces fish.
- Mid-water over broken ground rather than tight to the bottom; they hunt by sight and need enough visibility to stalk prey.
John Dory FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for John Dory?
A long, thin strip of mackerel belly on a flowing trace is the most consistently productive bait in Irish waters, it imitates a sand eel and moves naturally in the tide.
When is the best time to fish for John Dory?
Early summer through autumn is the main window, John Dory move inshore as sea temperatures rise and baitfish shoals build over the reefs. Winter and early spring sees most fish move into deeper offshore water, putting them beyond the reach of typical inshore boat fishing.
How do you catch John Dory?
Most John Dory in Ireland are taken from charter boats drifting or slow-trolling over reef and broken ground while targeting pollack or cod. Shore catches are rare and largely accidental.
What do John Dory eat?
Sand eels and launce are the primary forage in Irish waters, long, thin bait presentations like a mackerel belly strip on a flowing trace directly imitate this. Sand eel imitation lures and jelly worms work for the same reason. Small baitfish generally, sprat, herring, and young pollack all get taken.
Where do John Dory live?
A native marine species in Irish waters, most reliably found along the south and west coasts where water is warmer and rougher ground is plentiful. Favours reef, kelp, and broken rocky ground from relatively shallow inshore water down to around 200m, though most rod-caught fish come from the upper part of that range.
See it in the app
Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you John Dory.
- 01 · Species map filter
Map every John Dory water
Pick John Dory and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.
- 02 · Waterbody species
Tap any water. See what lives there.
Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.
- 03 · Angler Intelligence
Ask how to catch John Dory
Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.
Stop guessing where John Dory are.
Open the map, filter by John Dory, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.
- Species map filter
- Angler Intelligence
- Fishing journal
Explore other species
Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.
No species information available.
Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.
onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.