whats the best bait for tope

[troutmaster]

i have only ever fished for tope once when i was about 15 and was very unprepared, i was thinking of having a bash at it again with a wee bit more knowledge, so what would be the best bait for tope??

[KKK]

Generally mackerel, but the local variatios are enormous, some areas silver eel section is best but only in areas where you would find lots of these fish eg Theams estury, In the Bristol channel pollack, whiting and pouting all are best if you are fishing where you find those fish etc. You will find that people swear by dab as bait but again only where you find lots of these fish. As I am not sure about which fish you would expect to find in the area you are fishing then I could say Mackerel will be in the top 3 baits and squid won't be that far behind

[troutmaster]

Originally Posted by KKK

Generally mackerel, but the local variatios are enormous, some areas silver eel section is best but only in areas where you would find lots of these fish eg Theams estury, In the Bristol channel pollack, whiting and pouting all are best if you are fishing where you find those fish etc. You will find that people swear by dab as bait but again only where you find lots of these fish. As I am not sure about which fish you would expect to find in the area you are fishing then I could say Mackerel will be in the top 3 baits and squid won't be that far behind

good info m8 cheers, not that clued up on the sea fishing so a big learning curve

[smuts]

Number one bait for tope = Mackeral Fillets

ps make sure you use a wire trace.

[philipn]

get a large squid remove head and tentacles and all inside mash up a macky an stuff inside thread hook threw squid2 to 4 times bind end with lassy cotton make a few slit in squid to release juises works a treat in winter substitute macky for lug killer bait for cod stops those pesky whiting try it and let us know also bind the head on leaving the tentacles to wrigle in the tide all

[smuts]

Originally Posted by philipn

get a large squid remove head and tentacles and all inside mash up a macky an stuff inside thread hook threw squid2 to 4 times bind end with lassy cotton make a few slit in squid to release juises works a treat in winter substitute macky for lug killer bait for cod stops those pesky whiting try it and let us know also bind the head on leaving the tentacles to wrigle in the tide all

Sounds good to me, slower release of the scent and will remain intact. Good tip mate.