Big-Game Fishing Thrills

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23263, 4 February 1939, Page 9 (Supplement)

Big-Game Fishing Thrills

Makos Marlin For Free

By JOHN HUTTON

WHEN New Zcalanders go abroad, one of the first things they are asked, as goon 1 as it is known that they have come from this distant Dominion, is whether or not they hare ever experienced the thrills of big-game fishing. The sport that brings people from England, the United States, South Africa and Australia to our country is world-famous, and each year, quite, apart from the visitors from : overseas, increasing numbers of New ZealanderS are sampling its joys. Young people are among the kecnest recruits to this exciting sport, yet considering the number of game fish taken in New Zealand waters each

yeS^T*" of Now Zealanders' who have caught a big-game fish, or who hare-even seen one (apart from in a museum), is still surprisingly small. Perhaps because of the great" amount of money spout on the sport by well-to-do visit6rS~ many peoplo in New Zealarttf, ahif youthsand girls, too, imagine thit'' it is~ extremely costly, and there : fore mafce : no inquiries as to what it actually- costs. Big-game fishing is not -exactly jiheap, "but at the same.';, time it is possible for peoplo of quit-c modest ' means to try it, by means of'making, tip a party and sharing expenses. Zdhe Grey's t, Freak" Reel Tales Of reels costing £4OO may lead beginners to think that participation in the sport is quite beyond them. The noted fisherman Zane Grey has a reel which cost him £4OO, and this may pe better understood when it is explained that it is set in diamonds, just as the delicate moving parts of & good watch are set in jewels. This, however, is a "freak" reel, a beautiful piece of work it is true, but no better for the beginner than the infinitely cheaper outfit that can bo hired.

The array of gear needed is formidable, • but fortunately it is not necessary for every enthusiast to buy his own. Apart from massive rod, reel, hundreds of yards of line, complicated harness and various odds and -ends, it is necessary , to have the use of a ipecially-fitted boat, of which a number are available at the main deep-sea-'fishing' centres. *The fisherman wears -his harness, part of which is clipped to his rod. He is seated in a swivel chair, with the butt of the rod set firmly in a properly-

mounted', siocket, and the lino trailing over the fitcni. Live bait is often used. Before settiny out for the grounds where the big fellows arc to be found, the sportsman catches a kahawai, and this is fixed 7 to.the big hook in such a manner that when the launch moves slowly along, the lire bait is trailed behind and seems to be swimming. There is quite a technique in getting a strike. The launch is driven quite slowly to a likely-looking place, where the boatman knows that the bijj silvergrcv mako shark, and the bluebacked marlin speed through the water in search of a meal. These great fish chase the shoals of kahawai, and so if a shoal is sigiited. the launch is sailed near it. At tlw same time, the baited hook is trailed astern, and "teasers," artificial fish looking like kahawai, are also put over the stern and dragged along. These "teasers" jump along the surface olr the water like frightened fish, and before long, if the party is lucky, the lean shape of a big-game fish will be seen. Sometimes the fish goes for the "teasers,"' and will not'touch the live bait. The "teasers" are then pulled in, leaving only tho kahawai oh the hook to trail temptingly through the clear water. To those who have seen a deep-sea rod in a shop, but have never seen

one "in use, ifc would seem impossible for any fish to bond it* Yet as soon as the' miiko or marliri strikes, and is hooked, all doubts about the rod bending vanish like smoke. - Indignant at finding himself hooked, the big fish may run for the bottom. The line screams off the drum of the reel, the rod bends like a willow, and the .angler braces himself with arms and legs to save getting pulled overboard. •

Ifit'tjdredS; ol'. yards of- lino are 011 the reel,- and"''it', rarely happens that the fisfc nvlH"- '-tuir -it' all ' out. More often than not come up from the depths liko some swift torpedo, break the and hurl himself high into the air,-.writhing and twisting in his efforts to rid himself of the thing that lias, him Captive. Leaping clean out of the water, the fish falls back with a smack that can be heard for hundreds of yards, and darts off again. Sometimes the fish becomes really angry. Instead of dashing away from the boat, he will turn and charge it, with the water creaming past his rounded body as he makes straight for the stranger that has invaded his home. More than once a fishing-party has had the tables turned 011 it in this manner, and for a long time there was on show in Auckland a plank from a stoutly-built launch, with the sharp

bill of a swordlish driven clean through it. Although many anglers do not agree, it is true that tho skill of the launchman plays a great part in the successful catching of a big fish. A skilful driver will use his boat to help tho straining man at the rod, aiiU, when the time comes, will also roach out with the gaff to secure the tired fish. Hours may be spent in playing a fish, which will often tow a heavy launch miles out to sea. Sometimes, if tho fish does not fight particularly hard, it can bo brought alongside in under an hour, but it is nothing to spend four hours on the job, and there have been cases where up to six hours have been spent. As the sun sinks, and tho shadows lengthen, the launches come gaily home to their moorings. Residents and campers come down to tho foreshore to watch the returning fleet, and there is immediate interest when the flags that tell of good fishing are seen fluttering at mast-heads. With their catches lashed to the counter, or towing alongside, tirea fishermen come proudly ashore, watch eagerly while their fish are officially weighed, and pose willingly enough for photographers. Perhaps their catch has been small, perhaps they have set a record, but in either case they have enjoyed a grand day's sport.