DEEP-SEA ANGLING

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 35, 11 February 1931, Page 4

DEEP-SEA ANGLING

SPORT AT BAY OF ISLANDS

FIGHT WITH MAKO AND SWORDFISH

News from the deep-sea-fishing grounds from the North appears to indicate that excellent sport is being obtained at the prsent time. A report has just been received by Mr, G. W. Clinkard, General Manager of tlie J)ep. artnient of Industries, Tourist, and Publicity, to the effect that, Mr. C. Stewart, of 'Singapore, who has made his headquarters at the deep-sea anglers' camp on Urupukapuka Island, Bay o£ Islands, completed a.'great day's sport on the'Gth ifist., Vi^b, the capture of a mako shark of 5211b, a niarliu swordfish, 3731b, and two fine kingfish weighing 60 and 581b respectively. The excitement commenced when the mako shark first appeared on tho scene, and,'after taking the bait, made a rush in the direction ot the launch, which it bumped heavily. The impact, which was a severe one, evidently knocked some of the fight out of tho pugnacious monster, which was finally brought alongside after a strugglo lasting about, fifteen minutes, - The angler' had hardly got started agaiu before the bait was snatched once more, and on striking the. fish Mr. Stewart had tha satisfaction of seeing a fine marlm swordfish leap.high into the air. This iish. proved a veritable .gladiutor of the t-eus, and put up a;;mbst spectaDular light, rushing furiously about'"-on. the and leaping repeatedly clear of the water. The fight continued for an hour and a half, the marlin repeatedly making rushes which took out over 370 yards of Jine_ at.a tune. Seated in his swivel chair and braking hard on .the line, Mr. ; . Stewart described the contest as tire fight of a lifetime, at the Conclusion he was streaming with perspiration, and'wafi very glad to bring the marlin alongside after covering some three miles of water from where the fish was first sighted. . A day or two previously Mr. btewart hooked a large hammerhead shark, which finally broke clear. It is considered that from now on until about the second week in May excellent fishing should be had in this locality.