Fish

John Dory

Pez de San Pedro

Zeus faber

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

1–3 lb.

Depth

15–1,200 ft.

Best time

Daylight.

Found in

12 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A very thin, tall, oval fish, olive-gray to golden, with a big black spot ringed in yellow on each side (the 'thumbprint of Saint Peter'), long filaments on the spiny dorsal fin, and a huge mouth that shoots forward like a tube.
Typical size: 1–3 lb.
Maximum size: About 2½ ft and over 10 lb, but most are much smaller.
Diet: Small fish such as sardines, sand eels and young bream, and squid.
Behavior: A slow stalker: it creeps up head-on (it's almost invisible from the front) and sucks in prey with its extending mouth.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from United Kingdom & Ireland, France, Spain & Portugal (Azores, Madeira & Canaries), Italy & Malta, Greece & the Adriatic, Turkey, Cyprus & the Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea & Caspian, Morocco & West Africa, Southern Africa, South-East Australia & Tasmania, New Zealand and Japan & South Korea. Reefs, wrecks, harbors and seagrass from Norway to South Africa and the Mediterranean, and around Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
Habitat: Reefs, wrecks, harbors and seagrass from Norway to South Africa and the Mediterranean, and around Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
Depth: 15–1,200 ft.
Fishing depth: Near the bottom, around structure.
Best season: Summer and autumn in Europe.
Best time: Daylight.
Best tides: Light current.
Best weather / conditions: Calm days.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Small live fish (sand eel, pouting, small mackerel).
Best artificial lures: Small soft shads and slow-pitch jigs, often caught by accident.
Tackle setup: Light boat rod.
Hook size: Size 1–2/0 hooks.
Line: 15–20 lb braid.
Leader: 20 lb fluorocarbon.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Rig Weight Hooks Bait

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Reefs, wrecks, harbors and seagrass from Norway to South Africa and the Mediterranean, and around Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
Rig up: Light boat rod. 20 lb fluorocarbon.
Pick your bait: Small live fish (sand eel, pouting, small mackerel). Lures: Small soft shads and slow-pitch jigs, often caught by accident.
Fish it: Fish a small live bait slowly around reefs, wrecks and harbor walls; most are caught while fishing for other species.
Time it: Daylight. Light current.

Fishing techniques: Fish a small live bait slowly around reefs, wrecks and harbor walls; most are caught while fishing for other species.
BigJoe's tip: John Dory are slow to take; let the live bait swim and be patient.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Superb, firm, sweet white fillets prized by chefs: pan-fry in butter, or bake. Yields are small because of the big head.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Sharp dorsal and belly spines; handle with care.
Regulations: Minimum sizes apply in some countries; few specific rules for anglers. Every country sets its own rules: sea fishing licenses or registration in some countries, a national or regional license plus a local permit for fresh water, and minimum sizes everywhere. Check before you fish.
Conservation: Keep what you'll eat.

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Sources & photo credits