BIG SWORDFISH.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18307, 14 February 1925, Page 14

BIG SWORDFISH.

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FIRST CATCHES OF THE SEASON

(special to "the pbess.")

AUCKLAND,. February 13

! News received from Mayor Island states that the tirst swordfish of the season were captured in those waters j this week. The fish fought gamely -as i only this species can fight. So far four swordfish ..and one mako shark have i been secured. Several swordfish escaped after being hooked. •Mr A. »S. Butler, of London, and Mr V. S. Bennett, of St. John's,., Newfoundland, -who visited Mayor Island this week, returned to Tauranga last night. They fished for half a day on Tuesday, anil for a full, day on Wednesday, securing two swordfish and one mako i shark. The swordfish weighed 3001b and 43011) respectively, and the mako shark was 1701b. The shark was hooked on Tuesday and fought gamely for 4') minutes before it was killed. It possessed a formidable set of .teeth, which the sportsmen are retaining as trophies. ■ When out on Wednesday. Messrs Butler and Bennett caught the two swordfish. The smaller one fought for a quarter of an hour. Many times it leaped right out of the water. On other occasions it assumed an upright position, propelling. itself. by its tail, and shaking its head vigorously while so poised in endeavours to rid itself of the hook. Eventually this fish was drawn close to the launch and harpooned.

In the afternoon the sportsmen secured a great prize in the' shape of a swordfish weighing 4301b. This was a magnificent specimen and fought strenuouslv for 6-5 minutes. After the fish was hooked the launch followed it for about two miles. The swordfish adopted similar fighting tactics to the one secured earlier in the day and broke the surface about twenty times between the periods of sounding. The difficulties of landing the fish were intensified by the rod cracking, but Mr . Butler 'eventually brought' it within harpooning range, after which it was drawn aboard.

The visitors characterised the sport as remarkably.fine. - They have both fished the famed tarpon waters off Florida, but this' is their first experience .of gwordnshiirg. They said they would • have no hesitation in recommending Rwordfishing snort to their friends. They declared that it is'equal to tarpon fishing. Another party is fishing at Mayor Island. They ' secured a ■ swordfisli on Tuesday, and another on Wednesday, the weights being approximately-:3.501b and 3801b. Yesterday they hooked two swordfish 'simultaneously. The' lines .fouled, and one fish escaped, but the other.was landed.