tope tips

[ronanohal]

Hey everyone. I'm looking for a bit of advice here as I'm going to try a bit of tope fishing soon from wexford beaches. Figured that it's about time seeing as I've been living down here for two years now and recent reports by donal murphy and petewex have spurred me into action. Couple of things i want to clear up if anyone can help me;
1. Is fresh mackerel the only way to go or is decent quality frozen ok to try?
2. When (or if) I get a bite should I strike straight away or let it run a bit first. Last thing I want is a deep hooked fish but seeing as bites are going to be very few and far between I also don't want to be pulling the bait out of their mouths.
3. What size baits are best? Was thinking that it might be a fine line between a good scent trail from a large bait and the distance it's possible to get from casting a smaller one.

That's about it so far I reckon. Any help is much appreciated.

[kenf41]

im dyin to hear some replies
plannin on doin some myself
ive 1 tip. dont drive down to the beach with the narrow lane runnin down to it. i did last week and needed a tractor to pull me back up it

[saltydog]

Hey everyone. I'm looking for a bit of advice here as I'm going to try a bit of tope fishing soon from wexford beaches. Figured that it's about time seeing as I've been living down here for two years now and recent reports by donal murphy and petewex have spurred me into action. Couple of things i want to clear up if anyone can help me;
1. Is fresh mackerel the only way to go or is decent quality frozen ok to try?
2. When (or if) I get a bite should I strike straight away or let it run a bit first. Last thing I want is a deep hooked fish but seeing as bites are going to be very few and far between I also don't want to be pulling the bait out of their mouths.
3. What size baits are best? Was thinking that it might be a fine line between a good scent trail from a large bait and the distance it's possible to get from casting a smaller one.

That's about it so far I reckon. Any help is much appreciated.

1. Fresh Mackerel is by far superior only use frozen as a last resort
2. Tope will pick up the bait and make an initial run leave it go then strike
3. whole joeys or half macks... 6/0 7/0 and 8/0 hooks make a pulley with wire to get an extra couple of yards your not going to get large baits out too far in any case

try get some bran mix fish oil and mashed up fish through it and keep puttin out scoopfuls to get a nice scent trail going.... after a spell of settled weather the highest tide of the week in to darkness and then start praying.... i've put in about 60hrs over the last couple of months no hook ups yet .... best of luck with it....

[kenf41]

excuse ignorance
how is the trace set up. wire to the hook?

[saltydog]

Just pass the wire through the eye of the hook form a loop in it for extra strenght and crip... or alternatively there are some decent ready made rigs out there that you can adapt to make a pulley rig from you can use thick mono also 200lb would be my choice but i know others who use lighter...

[kenf41]

thanks ill make up a few and have a go (or a good few gos)
when are they usually about until.
is it all summer

[ronanohal]

thanks for the tips. Gonna give it a blast on friday night i reckon. I reckon half the country will be out in wexford after the catch reports this week.