UK record holder Gareth Griffiths reveals his tackle recommendations and top tips for targeting big shore-caught tope this month

AKIOS NITRON SVR 

The Nitron SVR is a high-end 14ft 6in, two-piece shore rod that provides serious backbone for launching big baits and absorbing the brutal runs. The blank combines carbons of varying stiffness, packing power into the low and mid sections for big casts, while the tip receives quickly. The tip is CarboGlass, which adds sensitivity to register even subtle takes, while remaining strong enough to handle the fight. With a 4–8oz casting range, it handles the heavier, whole fresh mackerel or squid baits that can tempt the biggest fish.

RRP £529.99

Available at akios-superstore.co.uk

DAIWA SALTIST BG30

Gareth prefers the Daiwa Saltist BG30, which is a compact, round-profile multiplier built for big fish. It is hard to get hold of in the UK now. The 25 Saltist, its successor, is a more expensive reel but offers some nice upgrades, such as the Automatic Tournament Drag carbon fibre system, which is smoother and more progressive in feel than its predecessor. For tope, you need a reel that can handle the terrain, salt and weather this kind of fishing throws at you, and both of the Saltists are reliable in this, with great capacity for fishing at distance. 

RRP £299.99

Available at gerrysfishing.com

VARIVAS FULL CIRCLE 8/0 

These hooks are a go-to for tope for good reason. They are made from heavy-gauge wire with a straight eye, a sharp, curved offset point, and a neat barb. Circle hooks are particularly well suited to fish that run hard with the bait and are ideal combined with Pennell rigs when targeting tope, and of course, they are famous for virtually eliminating deep hooking, which is crucial for improving your releases from toothy mouths. Made in Japan, these are sharp, strong and reliable, truly exceptional hooks for some of the toughest fish in our waters.

RRP £7.50

Available at veals.co.uk

FOX RAGE SPEED FLOW XL 

The Speed Flow XL is a serious predator landing net well suited to tope fishing from the shore. The XL comes with a 120cm handle, a 100 x 90 cm hoop and 95cm depth, providing plenty of room for a decent tope. The rigid aluminium frame is strong yet lightweight, with a retractable handle for easy storage. It has a floating design so it won’t sink if dropped in the sea, and a flattened front lip for smooth, confident netting. The rubberised mesh is fish-safe and tangle-resistant, meaning treble hooks or rigs won’t snag in the net during unhooking, a real bonus when trying to unhook your shark quickly. Gareth also makes his own drop nets for when a landing net isn’t long enough. 

RRP £83.99

Available at gerrysfishing.com

AKIOS WEIGHING, MEASURING AND UNHOOKING SLING

This Akios sling is a well-thought-out bit of kit for responsible tope handling. Constructed from heavy-duty, water-repellent tarpaulin, it won’t soak up water or sand, keeping weigh-ins accurate. Blackout hoods calm the fish during weighing, while drainage holes allow excess water to drain quickly. The full-length nylon webbing handles aid lifting large specimens, and the integrated scale measures fish to 120cm. The design can accommodate fish up to 180cm. The webbing straps run completely around the sling, distributing weight evenly and eliminating the stress points common to cheaper models, which is essential to avoid injuring your specimen’s top.

RRP £34.99

Available at akios-superstore.co.uk