AMONG THE SWORDFISH.

Shannon News, 16 March 1923, Page 3

AMONG THE SWORDFISH.

j SOME EXCITING IN Cl DEN TS. Auckland Herald Correspondent.) Tauranga, February 27. What is probably a record so. far as sword fishing in New Zealand is concerned has been established in waters off Mayor Island (East Coast) during the past week, where two parties of _ visitors have been at work with the rod. On Monday last a party on hoard the launch Dorothy, Messrs. Thompson, Branson, Campbell and M. Sinclair, landed a swordfish Which weighed about 2831 b. On Tuesday the \yeather was rather unsuitable. On Wednesday Mr Sinclair landed a Mako shark weighing 2871 b, and, liav...ing a formidable set of teeth. On , Thursday the weather was riot favourable, although several swordfish werp sighted. On Friday the party hooked several /swordfish, but did not effect'any “kills/’ The sport on Saturday was magnificent. The party hooked seven swordfish and landed two- of 3501 b and 2501 b respectively. One of the exciting episodes experienced was the hooking of three swordfish at one time on different lines. Mr Branson’s fish ran' across Mr Sinclair’s fish and the latter’s line-was cut. The other two fish then ran in opposite directions., Mr Branson's line ran out for 329 yards to the limit, and the line then snapped. . The remaining fish was held byMr Thompson and was drawn up close to the boat, but was lost when within harpooning distance. ! Another party on the launch Hoki-

mai also tested the grounds, and had splendid sport. They were Messrs. Pi A. McHardy (Palmerston' North), E. Cliff and McCuilough (Whakatane). On Tuesday the weather was very rough. 'Mr McCullough, fishing under the lee of the island in the afternoon, hooked a swordfish which headed for the sea. After one hour’s fight'and a run'of two miles the swordfish headed into very rough, .water arid had to be abandoned. The weather on Wednesday was. rough. Mr McHardy

hooked .an exceptionally. large swordfish, but alter an hour and a-half the fish/ reached rough water and in attempting; to, .draw it alongside the boat a heavy surge caused- the line to' snap and the fish was lost. ’lt was estimated .Inal tins swordfish weighed about 3501 b.

On Friday morning Mr McCullough

•hooked a swordfish- closem. under the lee of the , island: This fish put up a great fight. It made'’ off in an easterly. direction, and took the launch feveii miles frpm the : island before it .was harpooned. It weighed 2831 b. On Saturday Mr McHardy , hooked a swordfish, -tile' launch Dorothy,,being

ahhut three-quarters of a mile away frqm the’HOkimai. Those.aboard the najrq'ihy had also' l , hooked a swordfish hoiiiy -.-before.., After, half an. hour’s play Ihe, two'drivordfish ,came' close together. Both anglers had run out all . 10 ij** line,- and in attempting to pre,'oibt jlheiii. crossing the launch- Hokimai unfortunately cut Mr Campbell’s •me Trml, the. Dorot.hy’.s fish was'lost. About .half an 'hour afterwards Mr Me-

Hardy ■drew, his fish aboard the. Fl.okii >a.i. ;t his,; swordfish weighing' 2921 b. ,/, 'i he next do/y Mr McHardy lioriked a sword-fish, 1 which i ought- for threequarters’• of an hour, and was eventually cnplmbd. -This --fidy weighed' 2701 b, and was sent ! 1o the local lree-z----ug works with-a-view to-its- inclusion in Ihe New -Zealand"-exhibit of 1 fishthat is,-to he forwardt-J to- the-. Empire Exhibition.