Tope (Again) - Terminal Tackle

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marshpike · #1 Post by **marshpike** » Sun May 25, 2008 8:59 pm

Just renewing my tackle for the beginning of the new Tope season and want to ensure I'm replacing it with good gear, just looking some advice on the following:

Line:
Boom:
Rubbing Trace:
Crimps:
Wire:
Hooks:

Is there any good traces about with 6/0 hooks, I had two crimps break on me last season (home made). :oops:

#2 Post by **eric** » Sun May 25, 2008 9:12 pm

swivels-berkley
hooks- sakuma or cox & rawl, 6/0 or 8/0
line- surecatch
crimps- mustad, though you can tie surecatch in 100lb and 150lb
booms, any

#3 Post by **dbrock** » Sun May 25, 2008 9:35 pm

just make sure you use hooks that will rot away in the fish that get away with em

Mr_Green · #4 Post by **Mr_Green** » Sun May 25, 2008 9:43 pm

try not to crimp to tight man, i find weaving the wire through the crimp and then again through it to create a loop, it holds a lot better... best line in my eyes would be berkeley big game 50lb, 50lb is seriously overgunning but this way eradicates the need for a shockleader... the best best hook up i got last year was 4 runs and 4 fish , no drops..using mustad semi circle big game 9/0 i think...failling that use any good semi circle hook (semis are not a nessecity but after never missing a run last year i will always use them) when using semis go for a 9/0... The french boom, in the L shape is nice, run 100lb line through that, you can get 100lb in big game too, but any 100lb will do, even the cheapest.. get big game swivels, 100lb test...safer that way man...plus will last longer than smaller swivels...but most importantly dont crimp too tight..good luck man :D

#5 Post by **iona** » Wed May 28, 2008 10:09 am

we catch loads of tope where i am. up to 30 in a session per person. simple is the answer.

although 100lb mono will hold a tope a better fish on a longer fight can wear through so go for a heavy mono. i use 250lbs and never get bitten off.
i use a trace length of 6 foot or 2 metres if you prefer metric.

swivels need to be heavier to accommodate the heavier mono so i use 100lb Berkeley which up to now have never failed.

knots are good and crimps need to be high quality and checked regularly.

hooks. don't need anything fancy here either. 6/0 or 8/0 my preferred choice. i use mustad o'shaun and crush the barb. that may lead to the odd dropped fish but rather that than cant recover it.

boom needs to be as long as possible. the longer they are the more angle they create between the trace and mainline so stopping tangles. you can use shorter booms like zip sliders but need to consider the speed of decent on the bait to ensure tangle free. tide is also a factor for this as well.

lastly ensure you have a rubbing leader of 50lb+ as tope are good at wrapping themselves up in the rig and line. i use 20 feet to be on the safe side.

marshpike · #6 Post by **marshpike** » Thu May 29, 2008 11:53 pm

Cheers lads, I placed an order for a few bits and pieces and I'm ready to go..........

#7 Post by **Eoin** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:09 pm

i only use owner ssw hooks for tope in 8/0. they are quite dear but they make the best hooks in the world. i get mine in bulk from shimreels on ebay every couple of years. works out all right. the dude sends them from singapore - hard to figure why they are so dear here - ahh well rip off ireland

#8 Post by **Eoin** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:12 pm

Eoin wrote:i only use owner ssw hooks for tope in 8/0. they are quite dear but they make the best hooks in the world. i get mine in bulk from shimreels on ebay every couple of years. works out all right. the dude sends them from singapore - hard to figure why they are so dear here - ahh well rip off ireland

another trick is to put small heat shrink tubes over the crimps to avoid any wear against the edge.