b'"So many dories are lost when at the boat as anglers attempt to lift in the non-struggling fish, only for the hook to rip out of its soft mouth"SLOW SOFTBAITSI tend to softbait when in the boat over other fishing methods, I also catch plenty of Johnnies when softbaiting for snapper.It makes sense as a softbait is an imitation live bait and they fool JDs well, but the key to catching more is to really slow down your retrieve and almost drag your lure out the back of the boats drift.John dory arent great swimmers, so a quick moving softbait wontThis dory fell for a slider pick up many fish unlessdragged along the bottom it goes right by its nose. out the back of the boat.When retrieving your lure just twitch your roddiscovered over the pastno big run of line screamingTake it easy when bringing casually with a slow windfew years that my catchoff your reel at speed, andthe fish up and when on the handle, leaving itrate for dory has increasedtypically it is just a deadyou see it at the surface, every alone often and letdramatically when usingweight. Many anglers thinkalways call for the net.So the boat pull it along withZ-Man 5 Atomic Sunrisethey have foul hooked amany dories are lost when its drift.A lighter jig headlures.These bright orangefish or even some kelp. at the boat as anglers ofoz or less is also bestsoftbaits have been deadlyIt always pays to takeattempt to lift in the non-to help the softbait swimon JDs and would be mycare in such instances asstruggling fish, only for better and to prevent thosego-to softie for targetingyou could have a JD onthe hook to rip out of its snags when fished closerthem.The other upsidethe line.When you startsoft mouth and watch it to the bottom this way. is that snapper, trevally,winding down and liftingswim (slowly) back to the Flicking softbaits aroundgurnard, and kingfish alsothe rod, be careful howbottom.So, this winter reefs, over the sand nearlove this orange colour, soyou bring up the fish, oftenmake a plan to head out to harbour or river mouths,you have all bases covered. they are just hooked incatch John dory and you and around wharves ortheir delicate mouth orwill be surprised by how channel markers whereUSE A NET arent even hooked at all,many you catch and the bait fish hide, will also bringWhen a JD takes yourwith the live bait wedgedbycatch benefit of other more success.I have alsosoftbait or live bait, there isin their large mouth. species to put in the bin. /FISHINGINGODZONE53'