DEEP SEA FISHING

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 41, 17 January 1929, Page 6

DEEP SEA FISHING

LARGE BROADBILL CAUGHT. EXCITING EXPERIENCE. (By Telegraph—Special to Standard.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 16. The second largest broadbill swordfish to be caught in New Zealand and weighing 56Sios was landed at Whangaroa yesterday by Air Stanley Ellis, of Hamilton, fishing from a launch. This was also the first of its species to be caught there this season. The world’s record fish of the species was caught by Air H. White Wickham last season. Mr Ellis’s fish was foul hooked beliiii the dorsal fin, a steel trace passing along the right side and through the moutli. To an experienced angler the significant fact is that the left jaw was deeply cut by the trace. The strike was made at 12.30 p.m., and after a run of 350 yards, the fish fought doggedly on the surface without actuallv breaking water for over an hour. * Then it changed its tactics and made desperate attempts to sound, all the time moving swiftly over an arc of 45 degrees. It towed the substantially built launch rapidly astern and out to sea. After two hours’ determined efforts to get clear, the fish made a wonderful rush to the surface, struggling and thrashing the water with its huge body. Its efforts then became less determined, and finally its struggle for liberty ended and it was secured. ' - Air Ellis has been singularly fortunate as in four days he has caught two swordfish, three mako sharks, two reremai sharks, and now this huge broadbill. Air Ellis lias presented Ins latest prize to the Auckland Aluseum.