DEEP-SEA FISHING

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 4 May 1934, Page 7

DEEP-SEA FISHING

SEASON AT RUSSELL CATCHES EXCEED TWO HUNDRED AUCKLAND, May 3. The season just closing of the Bay of Islands Swordfish and Mako Shark Club (Russell) has been one of the most successful of the club since its inception in 1924, In the number of big game fish caught tlie season lias been tlie- second best experienced by tbo club, the total catches, by club members and visitors, being 207 fish.

Eight black marlin swordfish were caught, the heaviest by Dr. G. B. Pierce, of New York, from the launch Rosemary, on March 21. It weighed 4761 b. This fish was hooked in a very rough -sea just off Bird Rock and after taking the launch four miles out to sea was eventually gaffed at the entrance to Deep Water Cove. Dr. Pierce stated this fish put up one of the best fights of any fisfi he had landed. Oni March 29 Dr. Pierce hooked a very large black marlin, which he played for 12£ hours. This fish eventually broke away about midnight in a very rough sea, after having taken the launch 15 miles out to sea. The following day Dr. Pierce played a thresher shark for 7.} hours, when the lino parted, owing to the shai-k going right ini among the rooks. There were 108 . striped marlin caught, the heaviest- of Which was secured by Mr. Otto Somers, of Germany, from the launch May!in. The fish weighed 3801 b. Seventy-five mako sharks were caught, the heaviest being landed by Mr. J. M. Booth, of England, 4761 b, from the launch Valhalla. Eleven hammerhead sharks were caught, the heaviest being 3561 b, by Mr. H. WhiteWickham, of London, from the laui\ch Ozone. .. r. Only one thresher shark was caught this season and was landed by Captain Tweedle, A.D.C. to the GovernorGeneral. This fish weighed 4231 b. __ The Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, spent two days fishing and landed one striped marlin eacli day, of 2241 b and 3071 b respectively. The most, successful fisherman was Mr. H. White-Wickham, of London, with 49 fish to his credit and a total weight of over 12,000. Dr. Pierce was second with over 11,0001 b of fish. The total weight of the 207 Dig-game fish caught by the club for the past season was 47,0481 b.

TO TRY FIJIAN WATERS

DOMINION ANGLER LEAVES'.

AUCKLAND, May 3. Among the cargo loaded on the Aorangi was the- launch Ethel, which is being taken to Suva- by Mr R. B. S. Watson, of Walton. Mr Watson has just completed a highly successful season fishing from Whangaroa, and will again fish Fijian waters. During the past two weeks he has made a leisurely trip down the coast, taking advantage of the fishing to ibe ha-di between Whangaroa and Auckland. Early last year the Fiji 'Government, realising the value of big-game fishing as a- tourist attraction, and encouraged by catches of swordfish on primitive tackle from time to time, voted £IOO to defray the cost of shipping a motor launch to Suva. This was done as a. result of communications between Mr Watson and the Fiji Government after Mr Watson had road accounts of various catches reported in the New Zealand Press. The launch taken at that time was the Wanderer 11, which was purchased from Mr Holder, of the Bay of Islands, and shipped by the Waipahi. During early excursions in the neighbourhood of Suva Mr Watson caught a number of tuna, and' two large black marlin, as well as a number of other big fish. Mr Watson, who .is probably one of the most successful New Zealand big game fishermen, has been fishing from the Ethel for throe years, and lia-s along record of successful seasons on the North Auckland fishing grounds. During the 1923 season, Mr E. Ellis, of Hamilton, landed 75 fish, and Mr Watson 56. Tho latter’s total weighed 12,7681 b, which was well over a third -of the total catch from ‘Whangaroa.