- Specimens recorded
- 545 (2000–2025)
- Years on record
- 2000–2025
- Top venue by specimens
- Greystones
- Current specimen threshold
- 18.14kg (40lb 0oz)
- Irish record
- 34.02kg (75lb 0oz)
Tope in Ireland
Tope (Galeorhinus galeus) is a fast, powerful migratory shark found around the Irish coast in summer, prized by boat anglers for its speed and stamina on rod and line. Ireland's tope fishing — particularly out of the east coast — is internationally regarded, and the species has been central to Irish shark angling for decades.
Tope is now considered vulnerable on the Irish Red List for cartilaginous fish and critically endangered on the global IUCN Red List, reflecting serious pressure on the species across its range from both commercial and historical recreational fishing.
Inland Fisheries Ireland's Marine Sportfish Tagging Programme has tagged thousands of tope off the Irish coast since 1970, most heavily around Tralee Bay, generating decades of migration and growth data for the species.
When Tope Fish in Ireland
ISFC specimens peak clearly in July, August, and September — the established summer tope season on the Irish east coast in particular, when fish move inshore to feed.
Based on ISFC specimen records — reflects where anglers fish and submit claims, not necessarily where the species is most abundant.
Where Tope Fish Best
Venue rankings below come from ratified specimen submissions, not scientific stock surveys — popular, well-fished venues will always show more specimens than remote or lightly-fished ones holding the same fish.
Greystones and Wicklow dominate the Irish tope specimen record by a wide margin, with Red Bay and Kilmore Quay also contributing — the east coast, and Greystones/Wicklow specifically, is internationally known tope ground.
Where recorded: 19 shore, 311 boat (215 not recorded).
See every fishing.ie venue for tope — ISFC-ranked or not — in the full directory below.
Size and Specimens
Tope specimens represent a serious fish — the current threshold and Irish record both reflect the substantial size this species can reach, and the great majority of the specimen record comes from boat-caught fish.
Based on ISFC specimen and threshold records — reflects where anglers fish and submit claims, not necessarily where the species is most abundant.
How to Catch Tope
Bottom-fished fresh mackerel or other oily fish bait, fished at anchor or drifting in known tope ground, is the standard Irish method — tope hunt largely by scent over sandy and mixed ground.
Wire or heavy monofilament traces are essential given tope's sharp teeth and powerful runs.
Given the species' conservation status, most serious Irish tope anglers now practise catch-and-release as standard, often participating directly in IFI's tagging programme.
Tope fight hard with long, powerful runs rather than headshaking aggression — steady pressure and patience land more fish than trying to force the fight.
Rules and Conservation
Tope isn't subject to a specific Irish retention ban, but given its critically endangered global IUCN status and vulnerable status on the Irish Red List, catch-and-release — ideally through Inland Fisheries Ireland's tagging programme — is the strongly established practice among Irish tope anglers.
No state licence is required for sea angling from shore or boat in the Republic of Ireland. Most tope fishing is boat-based, and anglers are encouraged to participate in IFI's Marine Sportfish Tagging Programme.
No licence is required for sea angling in Northern Ireland — DAERA rod licences apply to freshwater and game/coarse fishing, not sea fishing.
Tope Venues in Ireland
42 more waters with ISFC specimens (not yet on fishing.ie)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a tope I catch in Ireland?
There's no specific legal retention ban, but tope is critically endangered globally and vulnerable in Irish waters — catch-and-release, ideally via IFI's tagging programme, is the strongly established practice.
Best time of year for tope?
Summer, particularly July through September, based on the ISFC specimen record.
Where's the best tope fishing in Ireland?
Greystones and Wicklow on the east coast dominate the specimen record and are internationally known tope marks.
Do I need a boat for tope fishing?
The great majority of Irish tope fishing is boat-based, though shore-caught fish do occur from some deep-water marks.