John Dory
John Dory is one of New Zealand's most prized table fish — a winter inshore species that rewards anglers willing to target it deliberately rather than wait for a lucky by-catch.
Found mainly around the North Island, particularly north of the Bay of Plenty, it turns up from the shallows to well over 100 metres. Its eating quality is exceptional: firm white fillets, no scales, and a flavour many rate above snapper.
Scientific Name: Zeus faber
Also known as JD, Johnny D, Kuparu, St Pierre, Peter's fish
- Laterally compressed, almost disc-shaped body — so thin head-on it's nearly invisible, which is exactly how it sneaks up on prey.
- Olive-brown to silver body with faint greenish-brown stripes; the unmistakable ID mark is a dark blue spot ringed with white on each flank.
- Huge, highly extendable mouth; strong spines on the dorsal fin; no true scales on the body.
- Average fish run 30–40 cm and 0.8–1.5 kg; larger specimens reach up to 3.5 kg.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Found in coastal waters around the North Island, most commonly north of the Bay of Plenty; also recorded in Golden Bay at the top of the South Island.
- Solitary by nature — not a schooling fish — and at home across a wide range of bottom types: reefs, sand, and mud.
- Typically inshore in 2–30 m during winter, but can turn up much deeper — one recorded catch came from 210 m off the Bay of Islands.
- Not native to New Zealand in the introduced sense; it's a naturally occurring coastal marine species with a broad Indo-Pacific range.
Key Locations
- North of the Bay of Plenty — the warmest inshore waters on the North Island's east coast, where John Dory are most consistently encountered.
- Bay of Islands area — fish have been recorded here from inshore depths down to 210 m.
- Golden Bay, top of the South Island — occasional fish turn up here, as confirmed by recreational kayak catches.
Specific Spots
- Shallow foul ground and inshore channels in 2–30 m hold fish through winter — the same structure that attracts snapper will hold John Dory.
- Wharves and jetties are worth working; fish have been watched stalking small baitfish and shrimps right in the shallows beneath them.
- Sand and mud edges adjacent to reef give John Dory the open sightlines they need to stalk prey — they hunt by slow approach, not by ambush from cover.
- Don't ignore very shallow water; fish have been found in less than a metre, especially when baitfish are present.
John Dory FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for John Dory?
Soft-plastic paddle-tail lures on a light jig head are the most consistent producer, work them slowly along the bottom to mimic a small baitfish moving with minimal effort. Small metal jigs also work; John Dory have been caught on them, though soft plastics tend to get more deliberate takes from a stalking fish.
When is the best time to fish for John Dory?
Winter (June–August) is the prime inshore season, when John Dory move into shallower coastal water and are most accessible to recreational anglers. Available year-round in commercial catches, but recreational fishing effort and success peaks in the colder months.
How do you catch John Dory?
Most recreational anglers in New Zealand pick up John Dory while soft-baiting inshore channels and shallow foul ground for snapper during winter. To target them deliberately, work soft-plastic lures slowly along the bottom in 2–30 m, focusing on areas where small baitfish are present.
What do John Dory eat?
Small fish and shrimps make up the bulk of the diet. John Dory stalk prey head-on, then shoot out an extending mouth to create a vacuum, so lures that mimic small baitfish presented slowly are the go-to.
Where do John Dory live?
Found in coastal waters around the North Island, most commonly north of the Bay of Plenty; also recorded in Golden Bay at the top of the South Island. Solitary by nature, not a schooling fish, and at home across a wide range of bottom types: reefs, sand, and mud.
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