DANCED ON SEA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 65, 17 March 1936, Page 8

DANCED ON SEA.

SWORDFISH'S DISPLAY. ESCAPE AFTER FIGHT. TREMENDOUS STRENGTH SHOWN. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) TAURANGA, this day. One of the most thrilling figlits ever put up by a big fisli on the Mayor Island grounds was witnessed on Sunday afternoon, when a black marlin made a sensational strike in a heavy sea; The fish leaped out of the water and lauded right 011 top of the bait, taking it.in its mouth and racing away for 100 yards. It ■ then commenced leaping and danced its way along-the surface. The. angler, Miss Trolove, held the fish for over a quarter of an hour. In strenuous efforts to get free the swordfisli >vound.a new steel wire trace round its bill and tail.

The trace was snapped on on a tight purchase while in a curved position and the fish got away. ' Mr. Chadban, master or the launch, states that lie has trolled baits for the last 15 years on deep-sea fishing grounds, but has never seen anything so spectacular as this black marlin's strike and its subsequent thrilling fight. He said it was easily the biggest swordfisli he had ever seen on rod and line. Tho strength which it exerted when it broke the trace must have been tremendous, as the trace was a stout one and was being used for the first time.

The Hon. Vera Churchman, daughter of Lord Woodbridge, and the Hon. Judith Gurdon, daughter of Lord Cranworth, went to Mayor Island in the launch Artono on Sunday, and -on Monday morning the Hon. Vera Churchman landed a striped marlin of 3101b. Three other big fish were hooked, and one! was held for half an hour; by the Hon. Judith Gurdon. Eventually it straight-j cned the hook and escaped. The two anglers returned from Mayor Island last night and immediately afterwards left by motor car for Wnirakei. • They were delighted with the fishing and hope to ixt'i-n to New Zealand next year.

Misses R. and B. S. T.rojove, T.. Davies and Mr. L. Dillon, of Marlborough, and Mr. Trolove returned in the •launch i Kingfish after seven days at Mayor Island fishing grounds. The weather was boisterous, with heavy seas for five days, and interfered with fishing. The party landed six big game fish as follows: Mr. Trolove, three swordflsh, the heaviest being 3711b; Miss B. Trolove, a swordfish of 1911b; Miss R. Trolove, a sword-i fish of 2001b; and Mr. Dillon a swordfish of 2401b. ' ■' .'