Tope Fishing
The Ultimate Guide to Tope Fishing: Tips, Techniques, and Tackle from North East Tackle Supplies
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Tope fishing is an exciting and challenging sport that attracts anglers from all over the UK. At North East Tackle Supplies, we're passionate about helping you catch more tope, whether you're fishing from a boat or the shore. In this comprehensive guide, we'll share our expert tips and recommend the best tope fishing tackle so you can land that trophy fish.
What are Tope?
Tope, also known as school shark, snapper shark, or soupfin shark, are a popular game fish found in British and Irish waters. They are a member of the hound shark family and can grow up to 6ft long and weigh over 50lbs, though most are in the 20-40lb range. Tope have a streamlined grey body, white underbelly, and a recognizable pointed snout.
When and Where to Fish for Tope
The tope fishing season in the UK typically runs from June through October, with the peak months being July and August. Some of the best tope fishing spots include:
- Yorkshire coast - Whitby, Saltburn, Bridlington
- South Wales - Milford Haven, Tenby, Port Talbot
- Scotland - Luce Bay, Solway Firth, Loch Sunart
- Ireland - Wicklow, Dingle Peninsula, Cork
Tope can be caught from both the shore and boats. When boat fishing for tope, look for deep water near reefs, wrecks, and banks. For shore fishing, target estuaries, rocky headlands, and deep water close to the shore.
Best Tope Fishing Rigs and Bait
A simple but effective tope rig consists of a strong, abrasion-resistant mainline of 20-30lb, a 150-200lb wire trace to withstand the tope's sharp teeth, a 6/0-10/0 hook, and a heavy weight to hold bottom. The best tope baits are oily fish like mackerel, herring, and bluey, as well as squid. Use a large, flappy fillet or whole fish for maximum scent and appeal.
For boat fishing, a classic running ledger rig with a long trace is ideal. For shore fishing, a pulley rig or up-and-over rig will help cast your bait far out and keep it in place in strong currents.
Tope Fishing Tackle - Rods, Reels, and Line
When choosing a tope fishing rod, look for a powerful, heavy-duty beach caster or uptider rod around 12-13ft in length with a casting weight of 6-8oz. Pair it with a large fixed spool reel with a high line capacity, strong drag, and a fast retrieve ratio for winching in hard-fighting tope. Load your reel with 20-30lb mainline and use a shock leader to absorb sudden lunges.
Some top tope fishing rod and reel combos we recommend include:
- Sonik Magna Roughground Rod & Penn Fathom II Reel
- Daiwa AWT Uptide Rod & Daiwa Saltist Star Drag Reel
Handling and Releasing Tope Safely
Tope are strong, aggressive fighters that will put your tackle and skills to the test. When a tope takes your bait, let it run before engaging the reel and setting the hook. Keep the rod tip up and maintain pressure as you pump and wind the fish to the surface.
Have long-nosed pliers ready to remove the hook. If fishing from a boat, use a large landing net to safely bring the tope aboard. Always handle tope with care, supporting their body and avoiding their sharp teeth. Quickly snap a photo and release the tope unharmed so it can fight another day.
FAQs About Tope Fishing
What time of year is best for tope fishing?
The best time for tope fishing in the UK is from June to October, with peak activity in July and August.
Where to catch tope in the UK?
Some top tope fishing spots include the Yorkshire coast, South Wales, Southwest Scotland, and Southeast Ireland.
What is the best rig for tope fishing?
For boat fishing, use a running ledger rig with a long wire trace. For shore fishing, a pulley rig or up-and-over rig works well.
Is tope good to eat?
While tope can be eaten, they are not considered a culinary fish and are best caught and released for sport.
Do you need a wire trace for tope?
Yes, tope have sharp teeth that can easily cut through monofilament line, so a heavy-duty wire trace of 150-200lbs is essential.
At North East Tackle Supplies, we stock a wide range of specialist tope fishing tackle from top brands like Century, Shimano, Daiwa, and Penn. Browse our selection online or visit our store for expert advice on the right tope fishing gear for you. By using proven tope rigs, bait, and techniques, you'll be able to target these hard-fighting sharks with confidence. So get out there, enjoy the thrill of the hunt, and remember to respect these incredible creatures for future generations of anglers.
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