tope baits

I've heard many people saying dab and whitning are good tope baits but surely baits above the size limit would be to big to cast if used hole and as for cutting bait what would be the best way to present it.

Hi JonnyM

AKAIK, you should tie up a pennel type rig, with a size 2 hook at the bottom baited with a small piece of worm, and a size 4/0 - 6/0 uptide or tope hook as the top hook.

That way, you dont need to worry about casting a large bait. The theory is that a whiting or dab will take the worm and hook itself on the small hook, leaving the larger hook to do its job when the tope takes the bait.

As for cutting a tope bait, I would use a flapper. Take a whiting, and cut either side of the backbone, and remove it completely. That way the flapper will move around in the tide, and release a good scent trail. I don't know if small chunks of fish will work reliably for tope.

Hope that helps.

Cheers

Matt