Looe skipper Dave Bond is still reeling from one of the most unusual catches ever landed on board his fishing boat, Mystique 11.

Having taken a boatload of visitors out shark fishing, there was excitement when 16-year-old holidaymaker Joe Amos hooked into what was first thought to be a good-sized porbeagle.

However, after a 50-minute battle to get the fish from deeper water to the surface everyone was amazed to see a bluefin tuna.

With the help of Dave, Joe was able to haul the fish onto the boat. Weighing in at 160lb, the massive tuna had a girth of 47 inches and, at more than 6ft in length, was longer than Joe.

Dave said: ‘This is thought to be the first bluefin tuna ever landed by rod and line in South West waters, and it was quite an experience.’

After Dave sought advice from conservation authorities, the fish was tagged and released alive back into the sea.

Bluefin tuna are highly prized and Dave was told Joe’s catch would have fetched around £30,000 if sold!