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Giant 13ft Thresher shark caught on a lure in UK first

by Aidan Bordiuk |

Updated on6th October 2025 at 1.24pm

In what is believed to be a UK first, anglers have caught a huge thresher shark measuring over 13ft long and estimated to weigh more than 500lbs, using a lure. While sharks are often tempted with bait, and some other species like porbeagles and blues have been caught using artificial baits, there is no documented record of a thresher ever being caught in this way.

The events unfolded aboard premier game fishing boat, Bluefin Charters who operate out of Saint Ives in Cornwall, an area that has become an internationally renowned fishing destination since the return of the bluefin tuna in recent years.

While on a trip targeting these pelagic fish, Experienced skipper Sam Narbett spotted a fish on his echo sounder equipment. Assuming it was a tuna, he had angler Steve Fletcher drop a lure down to the depth the fish was swimming at and before long, the rod hooped over and they were connected to a really powerful fish.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BOOK WITH SAM, YOU CAN FIND HIS DETAILS HERE...

"Since the return of the bluefin to the area, we have been fortunate enough to have seen so many big fish grace the boat. I thought charter fishing was coming to an end, but the revival of this big game fishery has been a breath of fresh air," Skipper Sam told us.

"Having experienced a lot of tuna battles, I did have my doubts as to whether or not that is what we had hooked, but I kept quiet as to not embarrass myself in case it was," he joked.

Steve Fletcher expertly playing the huge shark

After around five minutes of hooking up, Sam was even more assured that they hadn't hooked a tuna as the fish just wasn't powering off at the speed a bluefin normally would. Another arduous 20 minutes followed before fish shot out of the water in acrobatic fashion, as thresher sharks often do when hooked, and it became clear they were involved in a very unique battle. After about an hour, the crew and angler skilfully got the fish aside the boat before unhooking it and releasing it safely on its way.

Some of the aerial acrobatics caught on camera | Credit: Bluefin Charters

"We have caught porbeagle sharks on lures before, but this was the first thresher to my knowledge that has ever been hooked and landed on a lure. The thresher was hooked fair and square and although we thought it was a tuna, the shark took the lure we offered it so it was by no means a fluke, " Sam explained.

"What's more, because we had tuna in mind, we weren't using a wire trace so it was surprising that the fish didn't bite through the line."

"Experience I have gained over the years played a massive part in landing this fish, and the combination of patience and Neal’s Skill on the helm was to be the difference in landing or loosing it."

"Of course we were blessed to have a great angler in Steve Fletcher on the rod who has a wealth of experience playing big fish, and what an amazing job he did. Shout out to his wing man, Mark Bennett for assisting when he needed too, it was a real joint effort from all on board."

"It was certainly an experience none of us aboard that day will forget, and it just proves why we all love fishing, as you never know what you're going to catch when you leave the dock," Sam concluded.

The lure in question that the shark took a liking to!

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