Tope - What bait ?

[George]

Hi guys,

im going on a boat trip at Fleetwood nr Blackpool, North West. just wondered what is the best bait to use and how to prepare it to hopefully catch some tope?
Im new to sea fishing, from Carp to Cod!

[monkey nuts]

id say ring the skipper for on the spot advice, he will want you too catch well. and will advise you to the best of his ability
but as a guide line:- live mackerel are deadly no matter what part of the country up go for them, and i know silver/commom eel sections are very good on the east and mackerel flappers also have there days when thay out fish everythink.
iv also had plenty of tope on cuttle fish, squid and pout flappers.
so basicaly thay are big fish with big hunger and fair bit of attertude

[George]

thanks very much thats some sound advice!! out of curiosity what are mackeral flappers?

[monkey nuts]

it where you cut the back bone out of a whole mackerel and the two sides ooozzzz loads of blood
looks like this

[monkey nuts]

you should have a very good days sport and very sore arms....lol
have a good trip

[George]

That looks like a very attractive bait, its knowing the little tricks like this that can make the difference in catching the bigger fish. Nice one!!

[KKK]

There are a few baits we use in south wales that catch tope of various sizes 1) HerringMay and June
2) Mackerel Flappers or whiting flappers if they are there these tend to go better June through to September
3) live mackerel
4) live mackerel with there tails cut off
5) Dabs mainly cut in half to decrease the ammount of spinning they do in the water

I have over the years found that mackerel flappers work better than most other baits.

I find squid and cuttle will only catch either something else you don't happen to be fishing for eg conger, huss etc or just the smaller tope under 15lb