New UK shore-caught tope record

Michael Bell’s long distance trip to the Isle of Man proved worthwhile when he landed a new UK shore caught Tope record, weighing a staggering 66lb 10oz.

The 42-year-old Northumberland-based college lecturer was fishing with his friend Scott Davidson at Point West, in Ramsey - a known deep water mark for the species - when he landed the fish, beating Kevin Legge’s 66lb specimen caught in Devon in 2006.

The pair caught a total of 24 fish during the week, including another large tope of 40lb, using freshly caught mackerel.

Michael used a Sakuma Manta 6/0 hook tied to a 75lb Sakuma wire trace to land the fish, which was weighed and witnessed by local angler Mark Quirk, before being released.