Saturday new mark for Tope

[Scotch_Egg2012]

Been eyeing up a new mark I've been wanting to try for Tope but wind has always prevented us getting on it on the smaller tides we need. 

Well Saturday we had a small window to try so decided against a sheltered Bream trip and headed to said mark.  Quick stop at Dean Tail on the way out saw virtually no Mackerel,  not the best start but we had some frozen as a poor backup. 

Luckily the trip out we were following the chop so could make good speed, it would be different coming back in as the wind would be getting up and go wind against tide. 

Arrived on the mark and had a couple of drifts to see exactly where and how much rope we would need to put out to sit us exactly where I wanted and we finally set the anchor. 

Wind had dropped nicely as predicted and the sea flattened off.  First drop with a fresh Mackie and 5mins into the cast the tell tale banging of a Tope bite appeared, Good little scrap and the first of 25+ Tope was boated,  nothing of great size with me bagging one of 20lb 7oz being the best.  We did however get a pickup and run from a much better fish but sadly it was dropped during the fight after a couple of really good runs. 

We got a little longer on the mark than we thought but decided to sack it at 13:30 as the wind swung SW and was due to go F5.  The run back was into a head sea but managed to get quite a smooth ride on the way back and by the time we'd were coming into the harbour the breeze had noticeably got to the F5 predicted. 

Very happy that the new mark produced what we'd been thinking the best bit being it would be Tope or nothing as there is very little by catch. This was the reason for trying as it gives the bait time to pick out the Tope. 

Edited June 6, 2021 by Scotch_Egg2012

[Andy135]

Good planning and good fishing. Well played Scott. 👍

[Tony smith]

Nice one mate 👍