BIG SWORDFISH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22352, 25 February 1936, Page 12

BIG SWORDFISH

RECORD AT WHANGAROA BLACK MARLIN OF 895L8. [by telegraph—OWN* correspondent] "WHANGAROA, Monday The largest black marlin swordfish ever brought into Whangaroa was caught on Saturday by Mr. R. B. Watson, of Suva, from the launch Wanderer at the Cavalli Island grounds. The fish weighed 8951b. It was played for over four hours, and just prior to being secured broke the heavy split cane rod. All available hands in the township, including some women, were pressed into service to haul the fish up on the frame. Mr. Watson has had the distinction of landing in one week the largest and the smallest swordfish caught at Whangaroa. The latter weighed 991b. and is a New Zealand record for a small striped marlin. Both Mr. S. Ellis, of Hamilton, and Mr. Watson have landed numerous gamefish recently. SPORT AT RUSSELL NUMEROUS CATCHES MADE [from our own correspondent] RUSSELL, Monday A swordfish of 2501b. was caught by Sir Henry Scott, of Suva, from the launch Reliance. Sir William Jaffray, in the launch Jean, caught a mako shark of 2901b. Mr. R. ,J. Bell, of Wanganui, in tho launch'Minerval, took a mako of 2691b. Dr. Pierce, of New York, in the launch Rosemary secured four swordfish, tho heaviest weighing 2701b. and 2641b. Mr. A. Stewart, of Singapore, in the launch Marlin, landed a swordfish of 3141b. Mrs. Ashley-Dodd, England, from the Alma G. 11., secured a mako of 2901b. Mr, Morrow, of Australia, in the Alma G. caught a swordfish of 2961b. Mrs. H. M. Erust, of New York, in the Alma G. landed a fine mako shark weighing 4791b. This was one of the largest fish caught by any fisherman on a 24-thread line. Most of the lines used are 39 thread. When the mako was brought to the gaff it was found to have another trace and hook in its jaw. Mrs. Booth had hooked it a few hours previously, but it had broken away. Mr. Max Cullen, of Russell, in the launch Maomao, took a fine mako of 3801b. MAYOR ISLAND WATERS « SUCCESSFUL PARTIES RETURN [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] TAURANGA, Monday The launch Naomi, with Messrs. F. C. Whytecross, R. White and J. Tapper, of Matamata, returned from tho Mayor Island deep-ea fishing grounds with four swordfish. Mr. Tapper secured two of 3151b, and 2601b., respectively, and Mr. White, two of 2501b. and 2751b., respectively, Fishing from the launch Artono, E. O. Durlacher, .of London, caught two swordfish on Friday and one on Saturday, each weighing 2501b. Mr. Heard and party of Auckland,, in the launch Kenya, secured three swordfish and a large thresher shark on Saturday.