Offset hook points and surf tope tactics

A TWIST IN THE TAIL
There's a misconception that a hook with a point offset from the shank is superior at hooking fish than a hook point that is in line with the shank. It depends how you intend to use it!

The more a hook point is offset from the shank, the more pressure needs to be applied to the eye of the hook to get the offset hook point to penetrate. You can try this yourself by choosing an offset hook, tying line to the eye and trying to pull the point gently in to your finger. Notice how the shank tries to twist away from the point and the gape or bend of the hook tries to open out? The twisting occurs because the point and shank are not in line and the point does not push inwards but is pulled slightly sideways which causes the bend to open outwards as pressure increases. It's the twisting of the shank and the opening of the bend that sees a decrease in point pressure.

Offset hook point dilema?

This simple experiment tells us two things. A hook with an offset point will be less efficient when used for round fish that have big open mouths that suck baits straight in and move off at speed requiring a fast strike. Bass and cod are typical examples. The offset hook would be better employed for slow, sedate feeders like flatfish, which take a bait and sit tight while swallowing. These have smaller mouths and must cram food in slowly, then swallow.

I don't like offset points at all. As described, you strike fish but often "bounce" them off as the fish runs because the hook point twists away from the direct pressure applied by the line to the shank. Secondly, if used for slow feeders, offset hooks encourage deep hooking.

There is a third thing to consider. An offset hook is actually bigger than a standard in line hook for the same quoted size. Think about it! If the point is offset the width of the hook is increased slightly and a fish has to open wider to get the bait and the point inside the mouth than would be the case with an in line hook.

TIPS AND TRICKS
The small mesh bags that come with washing powder tablets are ideal for filling with mashed up fish and bread to attract mullet, gars and mackerel around piers, breakwaters and jetties. Use two or three lowered on strong line and spaced out at intervals either side of where you intend to fish and you'll get a really good scent lane running. Being small, they are easier to carry, make minimal disturbance when retrieving and are quick to refill.

I've also heard that some rock conger anglers are filling these bags with mashed up mackerel and squid for maximum scent and utilising this secure package as the main bait rigged on tandem pennel rigged hooks. I'm going to try it for blue shark this summer too.

SURF TOPE TACTICS

Shore tope!

During mid June to early July tope will move inshore on our western surf beaches. The best spots are the quiet coves of Cornwall, southwest and mid Wales and the Anglesey beaches. The Isle of Man sees a later run with fish available right through from late July to September, and it's a fair bet that many of the Scottish lochs would produce shore tope if more anglers tried. The Cornish beaches may also see a late autumnal run as the fish edge back south to deeper water.

Look for the rising tides just before big springs, but the weather is the critical factor. You need light winds, calm seas and sultry nights, and preferably no moon if the sea is gin clear. The tope come with the mid floodtide period, but move out again by high water. They run the surf tables chasing down school bass, flatfish and sandeels.

The best areas to fish are close to the rocks at either end of a beach, close to reef ground that filters in from offshore, or in any deeper gullies along the beach where small fish hole up.

Tope are often close in right amongst the tumbling surf and exaggerated casting distances are not needed. If the water depth is about 6 ft at 50-metres, then that is where the tope are likely to be, sometimes shallower.

The best baits are whole sandeel, 3-inch x 1-inch sections of mackerel, or whole squid. The sandeel gives the best results.

A tough 5 to 6oz beachcaster with a multiplier holding 300-metres of 18lb line will easily handle shore tope. Use a pulley rig with a short 12-inch section of 40lb wire.

Stay by your rod. Tope hit the bait hard instantly and will lift the rod clean out of the rest. Have the clutch set to give line easily but under firm pressure. The first run is usually the longest, with the second nearly so. Expect further runs but these will be less dramatic.

When a tope is played out in front of you, quietly walk in to the surf and grab the fish by the tail. They try to turn on you but cannot reach. Gently hold the fish on the sand while the hook is removed, then slide the fish back in to surf and ease it forward. They take a second or two to get their bearings then hit the afterburners for the open sea.