DEEP-SEA SPORT.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 10322, 8 March 1930, Page 3

DEEP-SEA SPORT.

FISHING OFF MAYOR ISLAND. A fishing party consisting of Messrs A. J. Mirrielees, T. R. Hunt, A. de Tourettes, ami H. E. Olding have returned from a two days’ fishing' trip to the Mayor Island swordfish grounds. The party left Tauranga in the launch Kingflsh on Wednesday morning and after a splendid trip to the island set out to catch bait for the big fish. Unfortunately bait of a suitable nature was scarce. However the sea was good and a couple of fish were hooked but the party had not the luck to land them. The fish did not bite too well. A mako was seen cruising about and was induced to take the bait, but was evidently not hungry and got rid of it. A swordfish also took the hait charily and after a short run- discarded it. Next, two swordfish entered the arena, playing temptingly about the boat, but refused to take the unsuitable bait. That evening—Wednesday—was spent in swapping fish yarns—a term given not so gentle a name In other circumstances —with other parties who had had similar luck that Thursday was a perfect but blank for the fishers with no luck in getting bait till five in the evening, which meant something in hand at least for next day. The other parties had an interesting day one losing eight swordfish and the other, after losing one or two. landed one of 3701 b. On Friday morning, within half an hour of starting fishing with the more suitable bait kahuwai— they were fast to something which did not show on the surface and Jost it after a short run Cruising about for half an hour and the party was in among the big fish. Several swordfish were «eu ll,c swt.H'o. “"1 was lucky enough to get a good bite. This fish was well hooked and attci a seventy minutes’ battle .brought alongside and made fast. The gear was re-rigged and Mr Olding was fast to something which, after haU an iimir's nlay, proved to be a ground shark of about 21)011,. Swordfish were still to be seen on the surface, one being hooked by Mr Olding but escaped after about half an hour’s phiy As it was now' four o clock the barty wero reluctantly obliged to lea.e the Wishing grounds ffor Bay and Tauranga. As the passed the other launches hnc swordfish was seen on the deck N The 'swordfish landed by Mr Hunt was weighed on the wharf this morning and turned the scale at -80 lb.