A FAMILY fishing trip turned out to be a close encounter with a massive pod of dolphins.

Three generations of fishermen filmed the pod of dolphins just off the south coast near Brighton.

Dad Shane White said it was the best trip of the year.

The 38-year-old builder who lives at Shoreham said: “We were out on a fishing trip heading towards Brighton and we were off of Southwick when we saw them.

“They came up along side us.

“We turned around and followed them and they were swimming beside the boat.

“They were jumping all around us.

“There were about 35 or 40 of them all round the boat, at the front, either side and at the back.

“We were heading towards Brighton to fish in between the piers for plaice.

“I could’ve followed them and stayed with them for ages but we decided to turn around and head on to where we were going.

“We went over to them and they followed the boat for about five or six minutes.

“I wish I’d stayed with them a bit longer now.”

Shane said his father and son were both as astonished as he was to see the magnificent sea creatures playing around their fishing boat.

“There were sightings of them in September but I’ve never seen them like that before.

“We go out five or six times a year but we’ve never seen anything like it.

“My dad has been fishing out there for years and he’s never seen them like that.

“It was a good day out and the weather was so nice, the water was so clear you could almost see down to the bottom.”