There are fish that fill chilly bins, and then there are fish that fill conversations. The john dory falls firmly into the latter.
Caught recently on slow pitch jigging tackle, this peculiar prize is as much a visual spectacle as it is a culinary one.
With its oversized lips, flat disc-like body, and the unmistakable black “thumbprint” stamped on its side, the john dory could have been lifted straight from a medieval tapestry.
Its look is almost other-worldly, its story steeped in legend.
Sailors once claimed that the black spot was the fingerprint of St. Peter himself, while biologists will point out it is nature’s camouflage of a false eye designed to bewilder rpedators and prey.
Either way, the mark is iconic, and its bearer is a rare sight on rod and reel in New Zealand waters.
This particular specimen was taken on an Oceans legacy Elementus Slow Style PE2 rod, paired with a 170-gram Long Contact Rainbow jig.
Light tackle, persistence, and patience came together in a moment that epitomises the art of slow pitch jigging.
Beyond its curious appearance, the John Dory is widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s most exquisite eating fish, sought after by chefs and anglers alike.
For those fortunate enough to land one, it is both a trophy and a treat!
Tightlines!
