AN UNUSUAL CATCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22399, 21 April 1936, Page 8

AN UNUSUAL CATCH

TUNA AT NEW PLYMOUTH [BY TEIiEGBAPH OWN CORRESPONDENT] NEW PLYMOUTH, Monday Results that surprised even experienced fishermen followed a chance thrust with a jag attached to a line between the Newton King and Moturoa wharves at New Plymouth to-day. A large tuna, one of the most famous of fighting fish, and a stranger to Taranaki waters, was captured. It measured over 6ft. in length and even when dressed weighed over 1601b. The tuna is found abundantly in tropical and warm temperate seas Fishermen with years of experience on this coast cannot recall having seen a similar fish, although they state that in the summer small bonito, a fish of the same species with a maximum weight of about 91b., are taken on the spinner off White Cliffs.

The fish was seen cruising slowly about between the wharves and its size and strange appearance created great, interest. As the tuna swam in toward the shallow water a fisherman made a chance shot at it with a jag attached to a line. The barb held, and the tuna was quickly dragged into the breakers, where it was helpless. It was not without difficulty, however, that the fish was dragged clear of the water.