The John Dory is an odd-looking fish and a memorable one. The British boat record John Dory came from off Newhaven, East Sussex, and one was reported from Brighton Marina east arm in autumn 2025 as a rare catch. British boat record: confirmed.
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About the John Dory
The John Dory is an odd-looking fish and a memorable one. It is almost round and flat-sided, with a big black spot on each side, a large mouth and long spiky dorsal filaments.
It can reach 3ft and 9lb, but is typically less than half that size. It is usually solitary, though small fish are sometimes found in small shoals, and it lives from a few metres to several hundred metres deep.
In UK waters it is confined to southern England and Ireland in the warmer months, although no specific months are given. It is usually caught by boat anglers fishing some way offshore. It takes lures and strips of fish that flutter in the tide. Shore catches are very rare.
There is a Sussex link. The British boat record, 11lb 14oz, was caught off Newhaven, East Sussex, in 1977, and a John Dory was reported from the Brighton Marina east arm in autumn 2025, described as a rare catch.
So it is no everyday fish, but it is one that Sussex anglers can feel some connection with.
On the boat
The John Dory is usually caught by boat anglers fishing some way offshore. It takes lures and strips of fish that flutter in the tide. In UK waters it is confined to southern England and Ireland in the warmer months, but no specific months are given, so we cannot say more. Shore catches are very rare. The record gives no Sussex fishing months either.
British boat-caught record
Confirmed record
- Weight
- 11lb 14oz 0dr (5.386kg)
- Where
- Off Newhaven, East Sussex
- When
- 1977
- Angler
- J Johnson
Confirmed British boat-caught record: J Johnson, 11lb 14oz 0dr (5.386kg), off Newhaven, East Sussex, 1977. This is the official British Record Fish Committee listing. The official weight-based boat records were frozen in June 2024, and newer boat claims are now by length only, with a qualifying length of 50cm.
How we label records: the British boat-caught records table explains confirmed, claimed and none listed.
Care and rules
The source says no UK minimum size applies and fishing is mostly unregulated. Nothing in our sources covers release or eating advice. Rules change: check the current rules before you fish.
Did you know?
A John Dory has a big black spot on each side and long spiky dorsal filaments. The official British boat record, 11lb 14oz, was caught off Newhaven in 1977.
Questions about the John Dory
What is the British boat-caught record for John Dory?
Confirmed British boat-caught record: J Johnson, 11lb 14oz 0dr (5.386kg), off Newhaven, East Sussex, 1977. This is the official British Record Fish Committee listing. The official weight-based boat records were frozen in June 2024, and newer boat claims are now by length only, with a qualifying length of 50cm.
Is John Dory caught off the Sussex coast?
Yes. The British boat record John Dory came from off Newhaven, East Sussex, and one was reported from Brighton Marina east arm in autumn 2025 as a rare catch.
When is the best time to catch John Dory?
Around Britain: In UK waters it is confined to southern England and Ireland in the warmer months. No specific months given. Our sources give no months for Sussex.
How big does a John Dory get?
Up to 3ft and 9lb, but typically less than half that size.
Sources
- British Sea Fishing: John Dory: britishseafishing.co.uk
- BRFC sea fish listings June 2026: anglingtrust.net
- Prime Angling: West Sussex report 5 Oct 2025: primeangling.co.uk
Picture: de:Benutzer:Kleines.Opossum, file page on Wikimedia Commons. Every picture in the guide is listed on the picture credits page.
