The boat tope rig is constructed with a bite length of either heavy duty monofilament or a short length of wire.
It also incorporates a rubbing leader to help protect the rig from damage from the tope’s rough skin.
Tope Rig Components
Tubing Boom
1 x Bead
1 x Link Approx. 500 mm 60-80lb BS line
Main Body
Approx 2 metre length 80-100lb BS rubbing leader
Snood
2 x Heavy duty swivels
1 x 300 mm of 80 – 150lb multi-strand wire. This can be omitted if using 250lb nylon.
2 x Crimps
1 x 1.2 to 3 metre length 150 – 250lb BS mono snood. Skippers prefer the heavier nylon as it is easier to handle the fish at the side of the boat.
1 x 6/0 to 8/0 hook, either barbless or with barb flattened with pliers to facilitate an easy release.
The Rig Body
- Thread the leader line through the tubing boom, thread on the bead and tie on the link to the other end. A zip slider can replace the tubing boom.
- Crimp the hook to one end of the wire and a swivel to the other.
- Tie the heavy duty snood length to the second swivel and to the swivel attached to the wire. A link can be used to quick change the hook length.
- Attach the trace swivel to the link below the boom.
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There are numerous sources of terminal tackle both locally and on-line, here are a few suggestions –
