Tope Cat

**fairziff** · Tope Hunter Number of posts: 1200 Location: Sunny Rhyl

Venue - Rhyl
Duration - 8 hrs
Bait: Fresh Lug, Fresh Mackerel, Frozen Squid
Boat - Suveran II
Skipper - Simon Parry
Date - 4th July 2009

Another calm day in Sunny Rhyl meant that todays charter was given the green light.

Rhyl is renowned for the quality of it's Tope and Gurnards. What better than a day afloat targeting both!

Our first mark had us catching enough Mackerel for bait and Rubby Dubby.
At anchor, large Mackerel baits were dropped down for the chance of a Tope or Huss.
Small traces with worm, Squid and Mackerel for anything else.

It didn't take long for the Dabs and Whiting to show on the scratch rigs.
Loads of small Weevers were taking feathers.
The targetted Tub Gurnards seemed to favour chunks or slivers of Mackerel. Taking them happily from flowing traces as well as paternosters.
Fair sized Tubs and Reds were coming in regularly.

Wes was the first to have a run on his large bait.
Fishing with light tackle, he hooked up and managed to boat a Tope.
Weighed in at 20lb and returned straight back.

Headwyn had a big bite on a full Mackerel.
A Huss just shy of 8lb followed.

Martin was next up.
What better way to christen his new Conolon than with a Tope.

The next piece of excitement was in the form of a torrential downpour.
Exilerating stuff!!!!!

Normal service was resumed when as the rain disappeared as quickly as it had arrived.
We headed for another mark to try our luck.
More of the same general species.
A few Grey Gurnards showed. This completed our trio of targetted Gurnards.

A couple of missed Tope runs were followed by plenty of landed Huss.

Martin's fortune continued when he landed the only Thornie of the day.

Thanks to Simon for yet another fantastic trip out on Suveran II.

Happy Days!!!

headwyn · Bull Huss Hunter Number of posts: 466 Location: Sunny Rhyl

I had a rather spiffing time too!

Fishing 2 rods, i had 2 aims today. I was hoping for a double figure fish on the big rod to beat my PB and i was hoping to knock a few more species off my species hunt with all 3 types of Gurnard serious targets.

We stopped off for Mackeral, where i also managed a weever but couldnt be arsed photoing it in the rain so back it went.

We ventured out a bit further and after watching Wes pull in his Tope, i managed this.

On the other rod, i had these, a Tub.

and a Red Gurnard.

Later on we came back inshore, where i completed my Gurnard mission with some Grey Gurnards.

An excellent day again! It brightened up after the rain, so much so that im nursing some serious sunburn at the moment. Embarassed

I cant wait for the next one!!!

ian40nw · Subject: Re: Tope Cat Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:18 am

Well done all............looks like Headwyns been bitten by the boat bug now cheers

**fairziff** · Tope Hunter Number of posts: 1200 Location: Sunny Rhyl

ian40nw wrote:

Headwyns been bitten by the boat bug now cheers

Were moving onto you next Ian.
After that, Notbad!

ian40nw · Subject: Re: Tope Cat Sun Jul 05, 2009 1:51 am

fairziff wrote:

ian40nw wrote:

Headwyns been bitten by the boat bug now cheers

Were moving onto you next Ian.
After that, Notbad!

Not been on a boat since i was 16 Mike thats about 5yr ago Laughing

last time i caught a load of Mackie and took them back to sunnyvale where i was staying and sold them around the caravans for 10p each Laughing

**fairziff** · Tope Hunter Number of posts: 1200 Location: Sunny Rhyl

ian40nw wrote:

fairziff wrote:

ian40nw wrote:

Headwyns been bitten by the boat bug now cheers

Were moving onto you next Ian.
After that, Notbad!

Not been on a boat since i was 16 Mike thats about 5yr ago Laughing

last time i caught a load of Mackie and took them back to sunnyvale where i was staying and sold them around the caravans for 10p each Laughing

Judging by the posh cars on 'New Pines' Ian, I reckon you could get a quid a fish nowadays!

I'll pencil you in for the 17th!

ian40nw · Subject: Re: Tope Cat Sun Jul 05, 2009 2:00 am

Im down on friday 17th havnt been much as we opened new garage so been busy but would love to get out on a boat again one day (short trip in case i sick) dad keeps threatening to buy one

bobthefish · Subject: Re: Tope Cat Sun Jul 05, 2009 3:32 pm

again you guys looked like you had another sucess story Wes that tope is a cracker well done cheers

I have 4 days till I get back am looking at going fishing on saturday @ HHBW with the granddaughter (9) who I promised to take fishing this time home, hopefully she will catch some makerel, or if anyone knows a better venue for the lass please let me know.

Well done

spaceman · Subject: Re: Tope Cat Sun Jul 05, 2009 4:04 pm

Cracking reports again Mike and Kev.

Well done Wes nice fish mate.

Smile

headwyn · Bull Huss Hunter Number of posts: 466 Location: Sunny Rhyl

bobthefish wrote:

I have 4 days till I get back am looking at going fishing on saturday @ HHBW with the granddaughter (9) who I promised to take fishing this time home, hopefully she will catch some makerel, or if anyone knows a better venue for the lass please let me know.

Forget the Mackeral. Fish with size 6 hooks and small sections of Ragworm straight down the wall on the inside. There will be Corkwing and Ballan Wrasse, small Pollack, Tompots, Shannys and possibly Pouting and Poor Cod along with the chance of Rockling.

Look at the reports from when we fished there last.
http://sunnyrhyl.forumotion.com/sea-fishing-shore-reports-f1/pb-hhbw-t650.htm
We headed to the end and fished in the corner, but anywhere from the first bend right up to the end will give fish on a flooding tide.

You can drive all the way along and fish out of the back of the car. Ideal for kids! Ill be taking my 8 year old lad there over the summer.

Good luck and have fun!

bobthefish · Subject: Re: Tope Cat Mon Jul 06, 2009 6:43 am

Thanks for that Headwyn will be following your advise will post pictures of ALL the fish she catches cheers

Notbad · Subject: Re: Tope Cat Fri Jul 10, 2009 8:02 pm

[quote="ian40nw"]

fairziff wrote:

ian40nw wrote:

Headwyns been bitten by the boat bug now cheers

Were moving onto you next Ian.
After that, Notbad!

mmmm maybe, but Huey might come too! pale

ian40nw · Subject: Re: Tope Cat Fri Jul 10, 2009 8:03 pm

[quote="Notbad"]

ian40nw wrote:

fairziff wrote:

ian40nw wrote:

Headwyns been bitten by the boat bug now cheers

Were moving onto you next Ian.
After that, Notbad!

mmmm maybe, but Huey might come too! pale

Thats what im scared of Paul Laughing

Notbad · Subject: Re: Tope Cat Fri Jul 10, 2009 8:17 pm

[quote="ian40nw"]

Notbad wrote:

ian40nw wrote:

fairziff wrote:

ian40nw wrote:

Headwyns been bitten by the boat bug now cheers

Were moving onto you next Ian.
After that, Notbad!

mmmm maybe, but Huey might come too! pale

Thats what im scared of Paul Laughing

Question. Would an 850 fixed spool reel handle a tope?
I couldn't be doing with handling one of those multiplier things
and upchucking as well

**fairziff** · Tope Hunter Number of posts: 1200 Location: Sunny Rhyl

Wes's Tope (first pic) was caught on his Shimano Fixed Spool Reel.
It came in a treat!