A FIERCE FIGHT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19767, 15 February 1927, Page 6

A FIERCE FIGHT

BIG SHARK HOOKED LANDED BY CASTLECLIFF FISHERMAN. Fishermen on the northern mole at the entrance to the Wanganui River got a thrill on Sunday morning, when one of their number felt a terrific tug on his line. Previously a shark had been seen cruising around, probably in search of r fish cast aside as being too small for inclusion in the amateurs’ ags. A series of fierce tugs such as only large fish could give soon proved that tho shark had seized the bait and was endeavouring to make away with it. Amid cries of “You’ve got him!” “Play him!” “Don’t haul!” “You’ll break your line,” and other injunctions peculiar to fishermen in sight of a kill, man and fish engaged in a fight to the finish.

Realising its mistake at taking this tiny morsel of delicious kahawai and fearing the disgrace of being caught so cheaply, the shark made a bold bid for freedom. He swam furiously from side to side, leaped and plunged downwards, fiercely pulling. Gradually this thing, that was beyond his reasoning, drew him nearer and nearer the surface. The brilliant sunlight gleamed upon his shining back, and then he turned and made a snap; but his jaws closed upon nothing. Ultimately the fighting fish was compelled to surrender. He was dragged forth into the light of day, into a world vastly different from his own, where three men with knives soon dispatched him—a fine specimen of the blue-skin-ned shark family, measuring 9ft 6in in length, and weighing 2301b5. His mouth, upon examination, revealed four rows of magnificent teeth, tho largest of which measured over an inch in length. Had thus scananger of the seas chosen to become mischievous among surf bathers, he could have given a very good account of himself at Castlccliff during the day.