DEEP-SEA FISHING

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 11933, 27 January 1936, Page 3

DEEP-SEA FISHING

THRILLING SPORT TWO SWORDFISH CAUGHT FJGUT WITH THRESHER SHARK On Friday the launch Kingflsh, in charge of Mr E. Chadhan, went to the deep-sea fishing grounds off Mayor Island, with a party comprising Messrs L. Keeley (Cambridge!, J. A. Buchanan (Mt. Maunganui), J. A. Bates (Rotorua), and E. J. Edwards (Rotoma). On arrival Mr Edwards hooked and landed a striped marlin, weighing 2601 b. This was Mr Edwards’ first catch of a big fish and he was greatly pleased with the thrills of big game fishing. Later in the day he hooked another marlin which after a splendid display of jumping threw the hook.

On Saturday Mr Buchanan hooked a striped marlin. Quickly another marlin made after the other bait and teaser, which had to he quickly drawn in as the rough weather was against having two swordfish on at once. This fish gave a splendid display of jumping and was landed in fifty-eight minutes.

Later Mr Bates hooked a huge thresher shark, which raced seaward and took the boat six miles out to sea. A very anxious moment was experienced when a heavy sea swept the launch, wetting the electric wires of the engine. The engine was then temporarily out of action. The fish still sped onward, running 600 yards of the angler’s line off. An empty benzine container was smartly attached to the line. The engine was again brought into commission, the launch under full speed recovering the drum about half-a-mile out. The line was then taken from the drum and replaced on the reel, the angler now again having control of the shark. After four hours hard fighting in heavy seas the fish, at close call, succeeded in breaking the small line.

The Kingflsh left for Mayor Island on Saturday night with LieutenantGeneral Sir William Marshall and is due to return to Tauranga this evening.

Mr W. B. Steedman arrived here in the launch Dauntless on Saturday afternoon and will make his base for the season at Tauranga in connection with the fishing off Mayor Island. On Sunday week Mr C. Foster and Mr C. Lowe, fishing from the Dauntless, each landed a swordfish. Mr Steedman says he saw dozens of swordfish cruising close to the surface.