Tope Handling

SSACN
Tope
Code of Best Practice

SSACN – Tope Handling Guide
Code of best practice
Approved by the NFSA, SACN, SFSA, Shark Trust and the UKSTP
As part of a programme to protect a threatened species, recent UK Government legislation has put severe
controls on the catching of tope in England.
Effective from 6 April 2008 anglers will only be able to catch Tope on a catch and release basis. Under no
circumstances will Anglers be allowed to retain Tope, whether to eat or for specimen or record purposes.
This code of conduct has been prepared to assist anglers fish for, catch and return Tope in a way that best
ensures they survive the process.
1) Introduction
Whilst tope may look big and tough creatures they are actually quite delicate especially when out of the
water.
This code has been written so that you can enjoy tope angling but most importantly cause the
minimum of damage to any tope you are lucky enough to encounter.
Please remember a gut hooked fish is usually down to bad angling practice and should be avoided
by striking early and releasing a tope at the side of the boat is the preferred method.
The skin on tope can leave painful long lasting burns to exposed areas so ensure you hold the fish
with two hands
Releasing any shark without taking it out of the water is the preferred option.
The majority of Tope angling is carried out from boats and this code of conduct is written taking
this into account but we would ask shore anglers to specifically look at section 12 of the code.
2) Be prepared
It is essential that you are prepared for any eventuality when bringing a
tope to the boat.
It sounds obvious, but the time taken to find buried tools in lockers
or under a pile of clothing means the tope is under stress for longer
than necessary.
This means having T bars, pliers, wire cutters, tagging kits,
weighing slings (if applicable), cameras etc. at hand and each person on board knowing what is
expected of him.
Time is the vital factor that may dictate whether the fish will survive the capture and subsequent
release
3) Hook sizes
The use of bronze finished hooks is the singularly most important factor in the release of hooked sharks, as
any hook that has to be left in a fish will dissolve rapidly. A large hook, size 6/0 or above, is
recommended, either barb-less or with the barb crushed to facilitate the unhooking process.
As lip hooking significantly reduces the likelihood of a hook being left in the fish the use of circle
hooks should also be considered.
4) Traces
Tope are a large, strong fish with sharp teeth and rough skin. Losing a fish because of an inappropriate trace
increases the likelihood of fish mortality due to trailing line.
The trace should be at least 2 mtrs in length so the tope’s tail can’t hit your main line. The preferred traces
are 25cm. of 150lb. wire to a swivel and 175cm. of 100-150lb. mono/braid or 2 mtrs of 250lb. mono straight
through.
All wire traces are dangerous as they can cut the hands of the lead man when holding the trace with
a thrashing tope on it.
5) When to strike
Old books used to say, “Strike at the start of the second run”, but this will usually lead to a deep hooked fish.
Once the tope has started the familiar screaming run, count to six on a big bait (full mackerel) or three on a
small bait (fillet size) and wind down firmly into fish.
It is imperative you wind quickly at first to get rid of the bow before lifting the rod to set the hook.
A gut hooked fish is usually down to bad angling practise, it is better to miss the bite than gut hook
the fish.
6) Releasing at the side of the boat- This is the preferred method

Although tope cannot be deemed as man eaters, they can inflict serious injury if not handled correctly.
The recommended option is to release the fish at the side of the boat with a long handled “T” bar.
This is far better for the fish and easiest option for the angler. Insert
the slit on the bar round the bend of the hook with one hand and pull
the line down with the other.
Use the weight of the fish to pull out the hook. A barb-less hook or crushed barb makes this a simple task. .
7) To leave the hook in or not?
There are occasions, all though this is often down to inexperience or bad angling practice when, the tope
swallows everything and the hook is out of sight or in the protruding stomach.
The best option for the welfare of the fish is to cut the line as close to the hook as possible.
The tope will lose the hook eventually (providing it is not stainless steel) and will swallow the
stomach as this method is used by sharks, as a defence mechanism to get rid of unwanted stomach
contents.
If you can see the hook in the wall of the mouth then it may be preferable to bring the fish into the
boat to safely remove the hook.
8)Bringing the fish on board

If you need to land the fish then the safety of both the fish and the angler is paramount.
Remember sharks have no ribcage and the water pressure keeps all the vital organs in place.
It is essential you try and bring the fish in horizontally, with arms supporting the abdomen if
possible.
For vessels with gunnels that allow you to reach the fish by hand, firmly hold the dorsal fin and tail
and lift the fish horizontally, alternatively a pectoral fin may be used, however, where possible, the
abdomen should be supported to the highest degree possible.
Dragging a fish backwards over the gunnels can easily rupture the internal organs. It may swim off
fine but die a few days later.
For vessels where you cannot reach the fish, a large, landing net should be used, taking care to
lower the fish gently to the deck once aboard.
After bringing the fish on board, it is important that everyone knows their job. If you have spare
men on board then ask them to stand clear.
Once the lead man has firmly grasped the trace, the drag on the reel should be reduced to allow the
lead man to gain line if he requires it, or allow the fish to move if the lead man releases/fails to
grasp the leader and the fish still has a head of steam.
When the tope is brought aboard and placed on the deck, the lead man should then squat around the
fish applying enough pressure to restrain it.
A wet cloth or towel soaked in sea water should be placed over the head ensuring the eyes are fully
covered; this usually pacifies the tope and makes the removal of the hook with a disgorger or long
nosed pliers an easier and safer procedure.
Remember, a loose tope on the deck can cause much damage to itself and to persons on board.
Where an angler is fishing alone it is recommended that all fish are released at the side of the boat,
either by using a T bar or cutting the line close to the fish.
In no circumstances is the use of a gaff recommended. It is not necessary and seriously damages
fish.
If a fish cannot be satisfactorily released without bringing it on board then the following should be borne in
9) Weighing a fish.
If the tope is to be weighed, the preferred method is by the use of a suitably sized weighing sling laid out on
deck beforehand.
The fish should be placed in this sling immediately it is unhooked, ensuring that unsupported movement
within the boat is restricted. Ensure that the fish is placed evenly within the sling before lifting.
10) Photographing the fish

For photographing and returning the fish remember to keep the fish horizontal, with the abdomen
supported by the arms and the tail grasped firmly to prevent the fish slipping onto the deck.
11) Releasing the fish.

When releasing the tope, hold the head of the fish into the tide for a short period to get oxygen back
into its gills, once the fish kicks that is a good indication that it has recovered enough to be released.
12) Shore anglers

Where Tope are targeted from the shore, the general comments on unhooking, fish handling and
photography still apply.
Extra care must be taken when fishing for tope from the shore for both the safety of the angler and
for the well being of the fish.
A shore angler needs to work out well in advance, how he is physically going to deal with a tope
that is likely to be in excess of 30 pounds. The time taken to drag the fish to a suitable and safe
platform could be the crucial for the tope’s survival.
It is not acceptable to drag the fish vertically (either head of tail first) up rocks or a pier for reasons
outlined in section 8) which means; it is essential you try and bring the fish in horizontally, with
arms supporting the abdomen if possible. Failure to do this can easily rupture the internal organs.
The tope may swim off fine but die a few days later.
13) Conclusion
Sharks are a powerful, active fish and their teeth are as sharp as razor blades and will instantly bite a finger
to the bone and their spines can cause severe damage to the angler.
The best practice for angler and fish is to remove the hook whilst the fish is still in the water, but if you have
to land the fish then the safety of the angler and fish is paramount and care must be taken at all times.
Enjoy the fishing but please remember respect must be given to these magnificent sharks at all times.
By following this code, you will help preserve the stocks of these magnificent fighting fish for generations to
come.
This code of conduct was produced by the :
Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network (www.ssacn.org).
It may be freely distributed with the normal acknowledgements.

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SSACN

Code of Best Practice

6) Releasing at the side of the boat- This is the preferred method

8)Bringing the fish on board

10) Photographing the fish

11) Releasing the fish.

12) Shore anglers

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