Ugly Sea-Monsters Caught in Harbour

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 260, 24 January 1928, Page 1

Ugly Sea-Monsters Caught in Harbour

GIANT STING-RAY AND SHARK EXCITING MORNING’S FISHING It is not generally known that the Waitemata Harbour is a resort of big game fish—of a kind. Peter Hickson, who was fishing off Wilson’s Wharf early this morning, got the thrill of a lifetime, and without the expense usually associated with deep-sea angling. His line, baited for a shark previously seen in the vicinity and hourly expected, Mr. Hickson waited, like Mr. Micawber, for something to turn up. Then, all at once, he got a bite. It was not an ordinary signal such as might be communicated by schnapper or shark. Mr. Hickson experienced something akin to the wide-eyed expectancy of Maui, who, fishing in the Pacific one day, realised he had hooked sqmethingt worth while ' and—hauled New Zealand to the surface. After a long struggle with his line, which surged down in the depths to the urge of some angry creature, Mr. Hickson succeeded in tiring his captive and drew it to the surface with the assistance of interested spectators. While playing the monster the fisherman realised that it was no shark he had on the end of his line, but a sting-ray. But he was not prepared to see so large a specimen of the repulsive fish, which was eventually landed with difficulty. Measuring 9ft. 6in from nose to tip of tail and sft. 6in. across its back, the sting-ray is the largest caught in the harbour for several years. Put on the scale it weighed 4021 b. Not content with this catch for a day’s sport, Mr. Hickson set his line again for the elusive shark.

The shark which had eluded Mr. Hickson was later seen cruising round about the wharf by Mr. G. T. Green, who baited a stout schnapper line and awaited developments. Soon after 10 o’clock the unwelcome visitor took the bait but escaped the twin hook. Again the shark swallowed the offering, and again freed itself when being played. This happ'ened three" times, and it looked as if the wily monster was more than a match for the angler. Using all his skill to try to hold the fish. Mr. Green was cut and burned about the hands by the singing line.

Then two other men, Messrs. E. W. Herring and W. Little, procured a line of similar weight as that used by Mr. Green. The shark accepted the fresh challenge, and this time securely hooked itself. After 40 minutes of exciting combat the monster was gradually tired, and a noose having been slipped, round the tail the shark was hauled out of the tide.

It is thought to belong to the shovelnosed species, and measured Just over nine feet from tip to tip. It weighed about 5201 b.