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Overview

How to target

Tope
Species ID: tope

Tope

Migratory sharks that push close to UK shores in late spring through early autumn, especially along tide-swept surf beaches and deep rock headlands in the Irish Sea, Bristol Channe...

🌊 Tide: flood 💨 Wind: onshore 📅 Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Best tide

flood

Moon

spring

Season

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Wind

onshore

Max weight

32 kg

Day vs night

Day 50%
Night 90% (best)
Migratory sharks that push close to UK shores in late spring through early autumn, especially along tide-swept surf beaches and deep rock headlands in the Irish Sea, Bristol Channel, North Wales, southwest England and southwest Scotland. Look for strong tidal movement, colour lines and the edges of sandbanks or gullies; many marks fish best on the flood into and over high water, with dusk into darkness a prime window. Fresh, oily baits are key: whole joey mackerel, mackerel flappers or heads, launce and large sandeels; squid/mackerel cocktails work when crabs are busy. Fish a strong running ledger or pulley with a long flowing trace, 80–150 lb mono rubbing leader and 100–150 lb wire bite trace, size 6/0–10/0 circles to aid safe release. Use robust surf gear and be ready for long runs. Handle carefully: keep fish in the water where possible, support tail and pectorals, use long-nose pliers/T-bar, and release promptly. Many areas encourage or require release—check local byelaws. A moderate onshore breeze that lifts a swell and pushes bait in can switch marks on; clarity can be slightly coloured but avoid heavy weed.

Temperature

10–18°C

Depth range

3–40 m

Baits

  • Mackerel Flapper 9.5/10
  • Bluey (Pacific Saury) 9/10
  • Mackerel Head 8.6/10
  • Launce 8.2/10
  • Pouting Fillet 7.8/10

Rigs

  • Running Ledger 9.2/10

    Classic shore tope rig; free-running lead gives minimal resistance on the take. Pair with 100–150lb wire trace and big mackerel/launce bait. Good from surf beaches and piers in light to moderate tide.

  • Sliding Pennel (Livebait) 8.9/10

    Allows a live mackerel/joey to swim naturally; sliding trace lets tope pick up without feeling weight. Ideal from rock marks/pier ends on a flooding tide; add a robust wire bite trace.

  • Pulley Pennel Rig 8.6/10

    Casts big fish baits far and lifts weight clear on the run, reducing snagging. Pennel holds bulky baits; use strong mono rubbing leader plus wire bite trace. Great over mixed/rough ground in tide.

  • Up and Over 8/10

    Long snood for natural presentation with clip-down casting efficiency. Good on clean surf beaches for distance to outer gutters/sandbars at dusk; add a wire bite trace for tope.

  • Rotten Bottom Pulley 7.8/10

    For snaggy ledges/kelp. Weak link drops the lead on the run while the pulley lifts gear, improving landing odds. Fish big mackerel/squid baits on a pennel with a wire trace.

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