First, The Boat:

First Priority is a Pirate 21, built by Pembrokeshire yachts in 2003. At 6.6m in length, she was the smallest boat in the charter fleet in the UK to be granted a Bluefin Tuna license, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that she is not up to the job! These boats are renowned among small boat anglers for being one of the most seaworthy vessels in their class, and really do punch above their weight in terms of seakeeping ability. Powered by a trusty inboard Volvo Penta AD31 engine, and a Volvo Penta DP-E stern drive, she is able to make speeds of 27 knots and get into the thick of the action in a flash. She is a commercially registered rod and line fishing vessel, bought mainly with the intention of catching Bass, as well as being coded for 4 persons.

More about the skipper, Tom Farage:

Tom has been fishing all of his life, in fact even since before he could walk he was being dragged out by his father onto the beaches of Kent while still in a pram. Spending formative years fishing from beaches and boats with his family, it was quickly apparent that this would be a life long hobby. He has fished over much of the UK, Europe and Southern Africa, from beaches, boats and rocks depending on where the bites are going to come from. He spent several years working on superyachts, before coming back to the UK to pursue other ventures. He is an MCA 200GT commercial skipper, and spends his time between work boats, First Priority and his young family. 

His favourite catches are his first lure caught Bluefin tuna, taken off the Adriatic coast of Italy in 2016, his first shore caught Bronze Whaler shark, caught from Mazeppa Bay in South Africa in 2017, and the first Bluefin Tuna caught on board First Priority in September of 2024! 

Now Tom wants to bring his experience and passion to you. 2024 was the first year that First Priority was able to target the Bluefin Tuna that grace our coastline in the summer and autumn months, and it was a trial run for what we intend to do this season! These are one of the most sought after gamefish in all of the world, and they are here to be caught off our very own shores. The vessel will be available for Bluefin Tuna fishing trips from August through till October, the peak time for the ultimate fishing adventure!