AN EXCITING CATCH

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1932, Page 7

AN EXCITING CATCH

LARGE SHARK AT TAURANGA. ATTRACTED BY KINGFISH. Tauranga, Nov. 29. Fishing from the town whart this morning, Mr. W. Waters caught a largo kingfish. He left it suspended, from the wharf, partly submerged in the water to keep it fresh. Shortly afterwards a large shark appeared and swam about near where the kingfish was hanging. Mr. Waters immediately gave the alarm and a line and hook were secured and the head of the kingfish was used as bait. The shark took the bait without hesitation, but straightened out the hook and broke free. It remained in vicinity and then leaped out of the water in an endeavour to take the dangling kingfish, which was considerably lacerated, but was not tom away from the rope holding it. In the meantime another stout rope line was baited and the shark was hooked for a second time. It was 9ft 6in in length and fought desperately for about ten minutes. A harpoon was driven into the shark’s body, the handle smashing in the process, but the narpoon found its mark. A rope was then got round the shark’s body and eight or nine men dragged it on to the wharf, where it was killed. The shark was one of the biggest that has been caught here.