Group of British fishermen capture TWENTY sharks in one boat off British coast in just one day
A GROUP of five pals have celebrated a mind-blowing fishing haul after catching a whopping 20 sharks off the British coast - in just one day.
The fishermen reeled in the impressive haul of Blue and Porbeagle sharks during a 24-hour fishing trip off the coast of Devon.
The largest shark caught by the group weighed in at 90lbs - just over six stone.
The group of pals for Somerset and Devon set sail on the Reel Deal fishing boat led by skipper Dan Hawkins on Wednesday morning and by Thursday morning had caught 20 sharks of different species.
The anglers landed two sharks each.
The fishermen used barbless hooks with mackerel as bait during their fishing jaunt last week.
Tom Clayton, 29, who bagged the biggest catch, described holding the beasts in his arms.
Tom said: "Every time I threw my rod into the water it was pure excitement not knowing what type of shark I was fighting and reeling in.
"Once hooked the sharks were out of the water for about 2-3 minutes but from the second they were brought out of the water they had buckets of water poured over them as their health and well-being was our main priority.
"It was a bit surreal to be holding them.
"They were smooth and slimy one way but if you rubbed your hand the other way it felt like sand paper.
"It felt like a massive achievement to have it in my hands but at the same time you have to remember what they're capable of."
There are known to be around 40 different species of shark in waters around Britain.
The Porbeagle is one of the most common types of shark to be spotted by British fishermen.
A Great White was feared to be stalking seas off the Norfolk Coast earlier this year after the carcasses of two dolphins were washed up on a beach popular with holidaymakers.
Pal Toby Basset, 27, told the North Devon Angling News: "It was an absolutely brilliant day.
"A group of us took advantage of the settled weather and drove off the North Devon coast around 6am.
"I was first set up and within an hour the first fish was hooked! A cracking beagle of 80lb but sadly it shook the hook.
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"It was incredible to catch so many in one single trip.
"We even managed to catch little beagle as we brought the lines in to go home."
All the sharks were returned safely to sea.
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