Striking Tope Runs

Can anyone tell me how long to wait before I strike a run and the best way to boat them?

Replies:

1. "There are many trains of thought about striking tope runs. Even I use two methods depending on where I am fishing.

If I'm on the south coast and I'm fishing for 'pack' tope (fish in or under the region of 35lb), I usually let my bites develop. A lot of anglers and skippers like the fish to run off, drop the bait (as they usually do) then hit the fish on the second run.

If I'm fishing in the Thames, out of Langstone or in the Bristol Channel where I'm expecting bigger fish in the 50lb+ region, I usually let the fish run for five seconds, lift up the rod and tighten the drag slowly. Once the tope has taken up the slack and the line is tight with some compression in the rod tip, I simply lift into the fish.

When it comes to baits, there's only one choice other than fresh eel section. A tail cone of mackerel about 4 inches long with the tail fin removed. Pass the hook through the wrist of the tail about 1cm down and you'll hook near enough every tope that picks up your bait (usually in the jaw). I think because the tope goes for the 'meaty' end of the bait first, once it's got it in its gob, the hook only passes a little way into its mouth. It's the same when fishing for conger eels, a tail cone does the job every time.

The only time I ever use a whole (or maybe two) mackerel is when fishing for Porgies and common skate - they've got a mouth big enough to take the lot.

2. "In my experience, fish hook themselves when they pull against the weight, or they get hooked once they feel the line pressure and swim away from it. My vote would be, if you have a big bait down there give any fish plenty of time. Have a coffee, pee, whatever then reel in. If you are going for smaller fast biting species with small baits and hooks you have to be a lot smarter. You lose more opportunities by reeling in too soon than too late. I was originally given this advice by one of the best charter skippers in this area and I have always followed his guidelines."

3. "When I am in the boat I always use mackerel as bait (never had any luck with eel sections), Hooking the mackerel through the nose, the tope always hit the bait on the side and run off like little exocets and then they pause to turn the bait and take it head first, it is at this point that I tighten the drag and lift into the fish.

I have a good hookup rate like this, but obviously if you are not using whole mackerel then you can strike any time on the run because the fish has already got the bait in its mouth and waiting tends to end up with a lot of gut hooked fish."