DEEP-WATER SPORT

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12094, 23 March 1925, Page 4

DEEP-WATER SPORT

A MONSTER SWORDFISH. CAUGHT AT RUSSELL. RUSSELL. March 18. In the launch Alma G.. Mr Gardiner, of Kamo, caught the second largest’swordfish recorded. The weight was 4501 b, length lift, and girth 4ft lQin. The recotd weight is 5271 b. Mr Gardiner hooked the monster off Piercy Island, and it put up a great fight, leaping more than its length out of the water 14 limes, and requiring great skill in playing it for the one hour and 55 minutes it took to land. During this time the launch had drifted five miles. This swordfish has a very short but thicker spear than others, and is much darker in colour, and has a smaller-sized eye. A remarkable thing about swordfish is the groove or narrow opening (just like a knife cut) underneath and along the back into which the fins can shut up like a fan. A sea snake about 2fi fiin long was taken out of this fish. Mr Kershaw, of Hawke’s Bay, also caught from the Ozone, off Cape Brett, a 2401 b swordfish. Additional week-end catches are as follow from the launch Ozone: —Mfr J. W. Kershaw, of Martinbcrough, Wnirarapa, two swordfish, 2801 b and 2541 b; Mr J. A. M'cDougal, of Martinborough, Wairarapa, one swordfish, 3041 b; Mr it. J. Ussher, of Martinborough, Wairarapa, one swordfish, 2381 b; _Mr W. Toms, of Martinborough, Wairarapa, one thresher, shark, 3281 b, and one kingfish, 441 b; Mr Patterson, of Napier, Mr Glaisbroak, and Mr (Mako) Smith, of Napier, from 'the launch Phyllis, one swordfish, 2881 b; one swordfish, 2121 b; one swordfish, 3441 b, and one mako shark, respectively. Mr Peter Gardiner, of Kamo, in the Alma G-, one mako shark.