Fishing for John Dory in NZ

There is something charming about those enigmatic fish species that are rarely snagged by design. I suppose it’s one of the great allures of fishing – the mystery and intrigue that keep anglers coming back for more. Saltwater angling is, to quote Forrest Gump’s mama, “like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” And one of the most peculiar treats in the metaphorical box of ocean chocolates must be the john dory (Zeus faber).

An unmistakable fish

Embodying a unique blend of elegance and oddity, john dory have long captured the imagination of fishers around the globe. At first glance, john dory cut a striking figure, sporting a series of unique features thought to serve as both camouflage and a means to confuse prey and predators. Their flat, disc-like bodies are silvery-grey with a mixture of darker markings that resemble an abstract artist’s brushstrokes – no doubt designed to blend in with the dappled sunlight of their rocky, reefy haunts. Their large, spiny dorsal fins extend high above their bodies like a quirky crown.