GREAT FISH CAUGHT

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6814, 18 January 1929, Page 8

GREAT FISH CAUGHT

BROADBILL OF 568L8. * ANGLER’S EXCITING STRUGGLE. MONSTER FIGHTS DOGGEDLY. WIIANGAROA, Jan. IG. Tho second largest broadbill swordfish to be cauglit in New Zealand, and weighing 568ib., was landed at Whangaroa yesterday by Mr. Stanley Ellis, of Hamilton, fishing from the launch Rcelemin. This was also the first of its species to he caught here this season. The world’s record fish of the species was caught by Mr. H. White Wickham last season. f Mr. Ellis’ fish was foul-hooked behind tho dorsal fin, tho steel trace passing along the right side and through the mouth. To the experienced angler a 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 pf 350 yards the fish fought doggedly on tho surface, without actually breaking water for over an hour. Then it changed its tactics and made desperate attempts to sound, all the lime moving swiftly over an arc of 45 degrees. It towed the sub-stantially-built launch rapidly astern and out to sea. After two hours’ determined efforts to get clear the fish inade»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. Mr. Ellis has been singularly fortunate, as in four days he has caught two swordfish, three mako sharks, two rerernai sharks and now this huge I broadbill. All have been caught otf the Ruahine Reef, Whangaroa. Mr. j Ellis has presented his latest prize tu the Auckland Museum and it was despatched to. the freezing works at Moerewa last evening.