BIG GAME FISH

Feilding Star, Volume 5, Issue 1203, 13 September 1927, Page 7

BIG GAME FISH

RECORD BROAD BILL LANDED AT CATALINA ISLAND The world’s record black marline swordfish was caught at Whangar roa in February, , 1926, • by Captain Mitchell, of England. It weighed 9761 b. Up till recently the New Zealand record broadbill swordfish was taken at the Bay of Islands by Air F. E. Burnham, • of America'. It -weighed 44211). Tiiis record has- now been eclipsed by Air G. G. Thomas, wlio, at California, on Juno 26 last, caught a broadbill weighing 5731 b. .The fish fought for live hours and five minutes beforo it was landed. In 1925 Air F. A. Gillespie, of Los Angeles, also fishing at Catalina Island ,caught a broadbill weighing 57111). All these fisli were caught on rod and line. During the season 1926-27 two trophies of 25 guineas each were presented for competition in the Bay of Islands by Colonel Allen Bell, M.P.. for the heaviest swordfish or make shark caught between Cape Te Boinga and AVhaugarei. Air A. H. Long- Mangonui county chairman, also presented a handsome silver cup. One of Colonel Bell’s trophies was won by Air. Boss Martin, of Auckland, with a black marlin caught at Cape Brett weighing 7501 b. The other (also Air. Long’s cup) was won bv Captain L. D. Mitchell, of Arneri-