Tope fishing - first timer

Hi,
I’m going to my first charter boat trip for tope (from Galway). I have read some threads on forum regarding tope tackle. I’m assuming that 30lb braid will be ok (is it?). The thing I’m concern about is how long my line should be? Is 160 yd would be ok or should I go to around 300yd? Also any other advices for tope newbie are welcome!
Thanks in advance.

300 yards. i saw a tope take 40 yards of line with the drag really tight. you prob wont need 300 yards but if you arnt expericend at fighting fish then it it good to have lots of line to play around with.

where in galway are you going from?

I'm going from Spiddal with Max Couque on Leaca Rua.

i'm assuming you will be anchored in a reasonably strong tide?

Try and position yourself in the center of the stern. The Tope will follow the scent of the bait in the tide. If you use mono rather then braid, your lead will reach bottom further downtide than the braid and you will get all the tope first!

Been broken off is a real risk. They will be getting bigger and stronger this time of year. Whether its braid or mono, use new line on the reel and the best knots, eg spider hitch or bimini twist.

I'm going from Spiddal with Max Couque on Leaca Rua.

i know Max well...he'll put you onto some good fishing.. lets hope the fish play ball..


nice tip there about the mono jw, must remember that :D

:cry:
I've just have call this morning, saying that my trip is cancelled. They say that there is warrning for small boats in Galway and they do not sail out :shock: Sorry for that question, but is that true? The weather forecast for sunday looks good. Any info are welcome.

What iv noticed in the past is that the more you try and bully a tope the more it wants to go the other way i will drop down to a 10' pike rod for them in little tide areas i will use 10lb line and had fish to 60lb in north wales (rhyl) by only applied gentle force it they are more control able and fun too all the fish come in just as quick it is a fish that will hardly snag you up so you can fish lite for them the only thing to remember is if you use a sporting outfit the more line you have out you may have to loosen the drag due to force put on the line by the tide
eg 40m of line out reel set at 2 1/2lb drag
as about but with 100m line and currant on line at fish 3lb is now ap lied

just a thing m666ark. how long does it take you to bring in a 60lb tope on 10lb line?

Hi it took about 20 mins it made about 7 runs but only took about 70 yards of line at the most i was in around 65' of water iv had smaller ones take more on the shallows

Hi All,
I’ve decided to refresh my thread :)

After last year’s failure, now I’m determined to have some good shark fishing this year. I’m just about to buy some tackle for that but before do so – I just want to check with you guys if it is OK and if I’m not making any mistakes in choosing my tackle.

First is the reel – I’m planning to get [url=http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=51660&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults]Shimano Tekota[/url] size 700 reel which is capable of housing 25 LB/410 YDS or 30 LB/350 YDS or 40 LB/290 YDS of line. Do you think it is enough or should I go for bigger one, size 800 (25 LB/530 YDS, 30 LB/450 YDS, 40 LB/370 YDS)?

Second question is about choice of monofilament. Taking under consideration size of my reel should I use 30lb or 40lb one – what do you think? Is there any difference between picking green or clear line? Which one will suite better for shark fishing?

Thanks!

hi tommy,

i have a tekota 600lc and they are a cracking reel. i find the 600 about the right size for everything i need off the boat. the size difference between a 600 and 700 is quite substantial. if anything i would think the 700 was even too big.

i have both star drag and lever drag reels in my box and 9 times out of 10 i only use the lever drags (ony star drag i use is the tekota). i would recommend getting something along lines of a tld 15. they are remarkably strong and the added control afforded by the lever drag makes a huge difference.

having said all that if you are determined to get a tekota 700 i will do the job just as well for you.

good luck with the tope

hi
ill second that with the tld 15 its a good little work horse. What id recommend is a shimano charter special 1000ld for tope its nice and small but the dogs ba11s is the penn975ld what a reel this is mine get used for just about anything ill even use them fore sharks (BLUE) if I have the chance look a the avet sx its small and can pull 9lb of drag all day long about the same size as a abu 6000 I only use about 7lb for porbegal if you have a good small reel with a good drag you could load it up with braid with a good shot of momo as moin line and the thin braid winn act as a backing then your 150lb rubbing leader ros handling around the boat

Thanks for your posts.
I think that I will stick to TEK700.

So the only outstanding question is about the line. You guys thing that there is possible to fit one line that will do the job for tope fishing as well as for blue shark fishing (porbeagle possibly)? Does 30lb line will do the job or should I go for 40lb
And what about that damn line colour? Is it really matters?

OK – I searched forum for your opinions regarding line colour. Still, if someone think it does matter please post here. Thanks!

Hi i will say 20lb line for blues and tope for blues going light just have lots on your reel with porgys go for 30lb a good start is around 600m you will need this but you will have to look at a tld 25 size for that witch will out balance a tope outfit iv had porgys on 20lb be-for you just have to take your time set up your rod tie your line to a set ot scales and try and pull 5lb if drag its a lot but possible on 20lb line this amount will at some point stop most sharks we will get for your drag its a good idea to work to 1lb of drag to every 5lb of your line bs using a set of scales

Id say 20lb line for tope is lightm, for blues is crazy.

30lb Braid Tope Fine

50lb - 60lb Mono for blues is where you need to be ...... ive lost blues on braid......

newangle

20 lb if fine for bues trust me if your drag is set ok you will have no problems its not all about pulling there heads off i can remember reading a book on porbegal from the shore based around norway people was using 50lb tackle and lost most, then went to 80lb and lost more then droped down to 30lb and landed most off them it is a fifh that will not snag you tou just need the capacaty.
ill be trying 6lb clas this year for them subb 100lb
look at shark fishing in nanibia sharks to 400lb from the beach on 35/30lb line and thats bulling them through the surff too

LOOK AT LINK BELOW 12 NINS INTO VIDEO
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=POeTvyGHm ... re=related

I have seen that vid a few times and love it. I love the idea of fishing as light as possible and am sure that with enough time and line you could go down to 10 or 12lb line for blues..
What you have to remember here is that this should be done on your own boat in your own time. If I paid the same price as the guy beside me on a charter and could not fish because he spent half the tide prating about with a fish, his line breaking would be the least of his troubles... :!: 8)

with enough time and line you could go down to 10 or 12lb line for blues..

Yeah, but I doubt if fish would be released in a good condition. I do not have any experience with shark fishing, however fish often for pike. I'm using 30lb tackle for pike, just to ensure that fish won’t be too exhausted after fight and released in good condition. How about that, regarding shark fishing?

As for fishing light: ;)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_flMdQeJhMc