b'JOHN DORY A 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook is also a good option and put through the live baits back, just in front of the dorsal fin.Small kahawai are the best for lasting the rigours of being dory dinner, then mackerel and finally sprats (yellow eyed mullet), which are the smallest live bait to consider and better than having none.SOFTBAITS WORKAs I tend to softbait more often when in the boat over other methods, I also catch plenty of Johnnies when softbaiting for snapper.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.As John dory arent great swimmers, a quick moving softbait wont pick up many unless it goes right by its nose by chance."I have also discovered over the past few years that my catch rate for dory has increased dramatically when using Z-Man 5 Atomic Sunrise lures.These bright orange softbaits have been deadly on JDs and would John dory are hands down be my go-to softie for one of the best fish to pan fry. targeting them.Find a reef, harbour, or channel with plenty of baitfish in the area and you will find dory.They are found where the bait is and often in shallow areas under 15m.A good rig is the trusty ledger rig but make the hook leader longer, so the live bait can move around away from the mainline. It is also a good idea to use heavier line for your mainline, say 15kg and a leader of between 18-24kg as it wont bother a JD but a struggling livie will also attract big snapper or kingfish.You want to increase your chances of landing the bigger species if they turn up, so dont break out the 12-15lb set for live baiting those poor swimming Johnnies.It pays to consider this if that 20lb+ snapper arrives unexpectedly to snaffle your livie, as I know of many people who have hooked up and lostA Minn Kota will enable you to spot-lock huge fish on livies in the foul whenover a reef and lower your livies down.using light gear.32FISHING IN GODZONE JULY/AUGUST 2022'