AMONG THE SWORDFISH

Horowhenua Chronicle, 16 March 1923, Page 3

AMONG THE SWORDFISH

SOME EXCITING INCIDENTS,

Auckland Herald Correspondent.) Tauranga, February 27.

What is probably a record so far as sword fishing in New Zealand is concerned has been established in waters off Mayor Island (East Coast) during the past week, where two parties of visitors have been at work with the rod. On Monday last a party on board the launch Dorothy, Messrs. Thompson, Branson, Campbell and M. Sinclair, landed a swordfish which weighed about 2831 b. On Tuesday the weather was rather unsuitable. On Wednesday Mr Sinclair landed a Make shark weighing 2871 b, and having a formidable set of teeth. On Thursday the weather was not favourable, although several swordfish were sighted. On Friday the parly hooked several swordfish, but did not effect any “kills.”

The sport on Saturday was magnificent. The party hooked seven swordfish and landed two of 3501 b and 2501 b respectively. One of the exciting episodes experienced was the hooking of three swordfish at one time on different lines. Mr Branson's fish ran across Mr Sinclair’s fish and the latter’s line was cut. The oilier two fish then ran in opposite directions. Mr Branson's line ran out for 329 yards to the limit, and the line then snapped. The remaining fish was held by Mr Thompson and was drawn up close to the boat, but was lost when within harpooning distance. Another party on the launch Hokimai also tested the grounds, and had splendid sport. They were Messrs. P. A. Me Hardy (Palmerston North), E. Cliff and McCullough (Whakalane). On Tuesday the weather was very rough. Mr McCullough, fishing under the lee of the island in the afternoon, hooked a swordfish which headed tor the sea. After one hour’s fight and a run of two miles the swordfish headed into very rough water and had to be abandoned. The weather on Wednesday was rough. Mr McHardy hooked an exceptionally huge swordfish, but after an hour and a-half the fish reached rough water and in attempting to draw it alongside the boat a heavy surge caused the line to snap and tire fish was lost. It was estimated that this swordfish weighed about 3501 b.

On Friday morning Mr McCullough hooked a swordfish close in under tin lee of the island. Titus iish put up a great fight. It made off in an easterly direction, and took the launch seven miles from the island before it was harpooned. It weighed 2831 b. On •Saturday Mr McHardy hooked a swordfish, the launch Dorothy being about three-quarters of a mile away from, the Hokhnai. Those aboard the Dorothy bad also hooked a swordfish shortly before. After half an hour's play the two swordfish came close together. Both anglers had run out all their line, and in attempting to prevent them crossing the launch Hokimai unfortunately cut Mr Campbell's line and the Dorothy’s fish was lost. About half an hour afterwards Mr McHardy drew his fish aboard the Hokimai, tliis swordfish weighing 2921 b.

The next day Mr McHardy hooked a swordfish, which fought for threequarters of an hour, and was eventually captured. Tin's fish weighed 27011), and was sent to the local Deeding works a view to its inclusion in the New Zealand exhibit of fish that, is to he forwarded to the Umpire Exhibition.

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