NINE-FOOT SHARK

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 50, 23 November 1926, Page 8

NINE-FOOT SHARK

SCHNAPPER FISHER’S BIG

CATCH

Dominion Special.

Auckland, November 22.

Deep-sea fishermen with elaborate tackle and powerful launches might not be disposed to regard as anything out of the wav the capture of a Oft. shark, but when it is added that the feat was accomplished off Rangitoto from an Bft. dinghy by two campers who were fishing for schnapper it takes on a somewhat different aspect. Ihe experience befell Messrs. E. Green and A. Hart, who were out fishing a few yards off shore. A tremendous swirl in the water and sudden canting over of their little craft made them aware that they had something more than an ordinary schnapper on the line, but it was not till later that thev realised the nature of their catch. The fish broke water right alongside the dinghy and Mr. Green jabbed a fishing spear into its bodv with all his strength. “I reckon it must have got him in the heart,” said Mr. Green in describing their thrilling experience, “because he started pumping blood at a tremendous rate and we soon saw that he was done for. ’ We didn’t know till we got him ashore how big he was and perhaps it was just as well we didn’t.”

The little grev dinghy was half full of water when the two campers managed to reach shore with their canture in tow. Just as they were pulling the shark in another big fish, no doubt attracted by the smell of blood, rushed in and buried liis teeth in tl ( ie dead shark’s tail, but finding himself in shallow water did not renew his attentions The monster fish was dragged ashore and pulled nn on tn a stout branch of n pohutukawa tree. During fhe week-end it was the object of considerable attention from campers and week-end "visitors to the island. The shark measured lift. fiin. from the snout tn the tip of the tail.