14 Questions with the Uk's Best Bluefin Tuna Skipper

Meet Kieren Faisey – charter captain, international guide, tackle brand owner, and new Strike ambassador.

Want to book one of the top tuna fishing charters in the UK? You’d better be prepared to wait in line. Last time we checked, skipper Kieren Faisey, the 31-year-old at the wheel of Unleashed Fishing Charters out of Newlyn, Cornwall, was sold out for the next two years.

Such is the reputation earned by this world-class, continent-hopping captain. A trip to his Instagram account, @unleashed_fishing_charters, quickly reveals why he is widely regarded as the best charter skipper in Cornwall: scrolling through his feed is like injecting pure fishing FOMO into your eyeballs over and over. Not only are there photos of the SUV-sized Atlantic bluefin tuna he’s become famous for finding, but you’ll catch cinematic footage of the stadium-sized bust-ups that are now common in his local waters, and back-to-back pics of sought-after big-game species from his tropical trips, too.

It’s not just Kieren’s worldly experience and homegrown successes that make us proud to partner with him. It’s the best-in-class fish handling and scientific focus he fishes with, too. For years, Kieren played a leading role in the monitoring of fragile European shark populations, logging location and length intel for the Pat Smith Database – the largest of its kind in Europe and the second-largest in the world.

Now, Kieren’s sights are set on the reemergence of the Atlantic bluefin in UK waters, and getting his guests onto the fish of a lifetime. “Kieren doesn’t blank” is a sentiment we’ve heard whispered around his local harbour, and based on his run-up to the 2026 British tuna season, it’s a reputation that won’t change any time soon.

Here are fourteen questions with your next bluefin skipper.

1. Can you remember your first fishing experience?

It all started at the age of seven, on a handheld crabbing line. A good-sized silver eel had bitten into the mesh of some old tights I’d taken from my Nan and stuffed with bacon, and it held on as I lifted it up the harbour wall. The next day I bought a classic £5 toy-shop set-up and started on the wrasse, pollack, blennies, and gobies with my brother and friends.

2. You became a skipper at a young age. How has chartering since your early twenties shaped the way you run your trips today?

I earned my commercial skipper’s licence when I turned 22. As a young skipper, I felt I had a lot to prove, especially with clients from the older generation who’d see me as an ‘inexperienced youngster’. I can’t lie, it did have its struggles, but I had my own style and tactics, and I stood by them. That first season was crazy, but it earned me my authority in the industry and brought credibility to my voice. On paper, I don’t have the years behind me. But I do have an incredible number of hours on the water.

3. The UK bluefin fishery is intensely monitored and highly regulated. How tough is it to obtain one of the few licences available?

Yeah, it’s hard. And rightly so, to be honest. This year is the first year that all licence holders have had to undergo mandatory training. After applying, you have to complete both online and in-person training. There are lots of hoops to jump through, but after that first hookup of the season, it all becomes well worth it.

4. How does tuna fishing in Cornish waters differ from tuna fishing around the world, and what sets an Unleashed charter apart from the rest?

The UK tuna fishery, particularly off the south coast of Cornwall, is one of the most impressive bluefin fisheries in the world right now. We get huge numbers of fish turning up from practically all age/weight classes – from sporting school tuna between 60–250lb to giants in excess of 800lb – and they all bite hard. At Unleashed Fishing Charters, I specialise in multiple bluefin disciplines but generally prefer to cast topwater lures on heavy-duty spinning outfits, or target XXL fish on live/dead baits. I do some trolling too, but it’s not my go-to style.

5. What’s your one secret weapon in your bluefin tackle box?

Plenty of packets of Haribo sweets. You need to keep the energy levels up!

6. Talk to us about Wild Seas. What is it, and what’s your involvement?

Wild Seas is an online tackle store and YouTube channel owned and run by three fishing-obsessed anglers: me, my brother Liam, and my best mate Sam. All of us bring different skills to the project, but always with one thing in common: the way fishing and the wild seas have totally engulfed our lives.

7. You started breaking species records in your teens. What are the biggest catches on Unleashed to date?

Yeah, I got a UK junior record blue shark when I was 13. Now, I feel so lucky to have seen, fought, and guided customers to monster tuna in my local waters. I’ve caught plenty of 100in+ bluefin specimens, with a number of 110–115in giants and one particularly big specimen that taped out over 120in.

8. You spend the winters in Madagascar. What do you get up to and target out there?

I used to host and guide at a specialist lodge in Panama, but now, with a young family to support and businesses to run, spending six months abroad each year is no longer practical. These days I host and guide shorter two-week trips with SFC Travel to fill that gap. Madagascar has been hugely popular, with Trinidad for tarpon, Oman for XL GT, and Seychelles for XL dogtooth on the horizon. The fishing can be next level compared to the UK, but these trips often feel like life experiences with fishing as a bonus.

9. If you could only fish one technique for the rest if your life out there, what would it be?

Deepwater jigging is a real passion of mine - the feeling of the unknown and being underground when a big fish hits gets my adrenaline going.

10. What have been your go-to Strike shoes lately?

Strike shoes were a godsend on my last Madagascar trip. When you’re banging around on flat-bottomed boats at high speed, grip is essential. It’s hard to find footwear that can take that abuse and offer stability while still being comfortable. The Bluefin Lace Sneaker gave me that firm planted feeling, and its quick-drying capabilities were a real bonus. Comfort and grip were never an issue.

11. What one song do you want playing over the Unleashed speakers when the tuna are biting?

Wow, that’s a hard one. I try to match the music to whoever’s on board, be it alt rock, house, old school classics, or some drum and bass when things really kick off. Personally, I like groovy, laid-back beats that let me stay in my headspace. Right now, it’s Come Fly Away (KANT Remix) by Maverick Sabre, or Fade Out Lines by The Avener.

12. Got a secret seasickness cure?

Prevention is always better than cure. My advice? Eat a good, dry, carbohydrate-heavy dinner and get a good night’s sleep before heading out. In the morning, avoid a greasy breakfast and too much caffeine, and eat plenty of dry carbs on the water.

13. There are plenty of odd offshore fishing superstitions around the world. Does Cornwall have any?

Bananas are the famous one, right? It’s always been a no-no, but I have two every day when I’m at sea and now I feel unlucky if I don’t eat them. Cornish pasties are supposed to be bad luck here too, but I don’t buy into that either. Just as long as it’s a good-quality locally made one, you’re welcome to bring it on my boat.

14. What makes you excited to be a part of the Strike angling family?

Aside from the footwear being really good? I love the ethos of the Strike team, the vibe, and what the brand stands for – it aligns with my style a lot.

Follow Unleashed Charters here and DM Kieren for availability. Check out Wild Seas jigs, tackle, and clothing here.