FIGHT WITH BIG FISH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20875, 18 May 1931, Page 10

FIGHT WITH BIG FISH.

SAVAGE TUNA'S STRUGGLES

HOOKED IN FOVEAUX STRAIT. % FIRST NEW ZEALAND CATCH. While fishing for groper in Foveaux Strait, in the vicinity of lluapukc Island, last week, Captain H. Iloderique, of Bluff, hooked a tuna and secured it on hoard of his boat after a sharp fight. The fish was taken to Bluff, where it caused considerable interest in fishing circles. It is said to be the first tuna ever caught on a line in New '/% aland waters. Captain Roderique brought the fish to the surface after he had hooked it, in spite of its frantic struggles, but when it reached the surface of the water it toro the heavy groper hook from its jaws and would have made off but for the fact that the line became entangled around its tail and hampered its movements. It

was secured with a boat-hook and dragged on board. It continued to fight viciously and bit and snapped about, and in doing so bit a stanchion and broke several of its teeth. Captain Iloderique stated that it was the most savage fish he had ever seen on the deck of a boat.

The fish was about 4ft. 6in. long, and that indicates that it is somewhat smaller than tho specimen found on Oreti Beach on June 9, 1929, by Messrs. <T. K. Grant, of Invercargill, and E. M. Garrett, of Auckland. That fish weighed 2001b. and created great when it was discovered, it being believed to bo the first ono over found in New Zealand waters at that time.

The tuna is said (o be tho king of the k'g-g anio fishes, and can only be successfully caught with rod and line by the physically fit, tuna of 1001b. having been' known to fight for 14 hours before being landed. An expedition, which spent some time off tho coast, went out in search of tuna after tho previous specimen was found on Orcti Beach, but without success.