Where can I catch John Dory in the UK?

Occasional around much of the UK, more regular in the south-west.

What tackle do I need to catch John Dory?

Most juniors catch John Dory on straightforward float or feeder setups with balanced line and hook sizes and a small landing net.

What bait works well for John Dory?

Natural baits such as maggots, worms or bread often work well for John Dory.

John Dory species guide • Sea fish • Moderate (7/10)

John Dory junior fishing guide

Zeus faber

A clear, plain-English guide to john dory for parents, coaches and juniors. See where they live, the best starter tackle, simple bait choices and a three-step plan to help young anglers catch their first one safely.

🎣 View starter tackle setups 📋 Log a John Dory catch

Junior-first & welfare-aware • 3-step beginner plan • UK venues & seasons

Skill & size • Seasons • Beginner baits

Skill level

Moderate (7/10)

Best with some experience or support from a coach.

Best time

Spring–Autumn

Pick mild, settled days for junior sessions.

Typical size

2–5 lb common.

Always match hooks, nets & lines to expected fish size.

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Beginner baits

Maggots, worms, bread

Keep it simple — small hook baits, little-and-often feeding.

Typical venues: Offshore wrecks, reefs and rough ground.

Scroll down for detailed tackle setups, methods and parent-friendly guidance.

Catch your first john dory with confidence

Catch your first John Dory in 3 steps

A simple, repeatable plan juniors can follow with help from a parent, coach or older angler.

Step 1

Target reefs and wreck edges

John Dory sit near reef edges and wrecks waiting to ambush prey.
Step 2

Use small live or strip baits

They take small fish baits fished tight to structure on strong leaders.
Step 3

Lift smoothly

They have delicate mouths—use a slow, steady retrieve.

Tackle setups that work

Designed with juniors and fish welfare in mind. Start with an IDEAL or GOOD setup for easier casting and safe unhooking.

We don’t have tackle recommendations for this species yet. Ask your club coach for a simple, junior-friendly rig and check back soon.

About the John Dory

John Dory are flat-bodied predators with a big, extendable mouth and a dark spot on each side. They are unusual catches that fascinate juniors.

Junior tip

John Dory are bycatch when boat fishing over reefs and wrecks. Use them as an opportunity to talk about ambush predators and unusual fish shapes.

Logged a John Dory recently?

Add a catch report so juniors can see where they’re being caught, which baits work and how your tackle was set up.

Submit a catch report

Want to discover more species? Browse the full species guide.

← Back to all species

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For parents & carers

Use this page to quickly judge if John Dory are a good match for your child’s confidence and ability.

● Clear guidance on safe handling, landing nets and unhooking.
● Beginner tackle that’s lightweight and manageable for juniors.
● Written in plain language so non-angling parents can still support on the bank.

At a glance

Family: Zeidae
Feeding zone: Midwater / Near bottom.
Diet: Small fish ambushed near reefs and wrecks.
Typical size: 2–5 lb common.
Best season: Summer and autumn around warmer offshore marks.
Conservation: Taken commercially and by anglers; not usually abundant.
UK distribution: Occasional around much of the UK, more regular in the south-west.

Typical venues

Look for john dory in:

Offshore wrecks reefs and rough ground.

Conservation & care

Taken commercially and by anglers; not usually abundant.