AMONG THE SWORDFISH.

Otaki Mail, 19 March 1923, Page 4

AMONG THE SWORDFISH.

Tauranga, February 2<. What is probably a record so far as sword fishing in New Zealand is concerned has been established in waters off Mayor Island {East Coast) during the past week, where two parties of visitors have been at work with the rod. On Monday last a party on hoard the launch Dorothy, Messrs. Thompson, Branson, Campbell and M. Sinclair, landed a swordfish which weighed about 2831 b. On Tuesday the weather was rather unsuitable. On Wednesday Mr Sinclair landed a Mako shark weighing 2871 b, and having a formidable set of teeth. On Thursday the weather was not favourable, although several swordlish were sighted. On Friday the party hooked several swordfish, but did not effect any "kills:'' The sport on Saturday was magnificent. The party hooked seven swordfish and landed two of 3501 b and 2501 b respectively. One of the exciting episodes experienced was the hooking of three swordfish at one time on different lines. Mr Branson's lish ran : across Mr Sinclair's fish and the latI ter's line was cut. The other two fish I then ran in opposite directions. Mr ! Branson's line run out for 329 yards ' to the limit, mid the line then snap- '■ ped. The remaining fish was held by |Mr Thompson and was drawn up ! close to the boat, but was lost when I within harpooning distance. ; Another party on the launch Hoki- : inai also tested the grounds, and had 1 splendid sport. They were Messrs. P. j A. McHardy (Palmerston North), E. . Cliff and McCullough (Whakatane). :On Tuesday the weather was very rough. Mr McCullough, fishing under j the lee ol the island in the afternoon, hooked a swordfish which headed for the sea. Alter one hour's liglu and a I run of two miles the swordfish headJ ed into very rough water and had to be abandoned, 'ihe weather on Wednesday was rough. Mr McHardy hooked an exceptionally large swordfish, but alter an hour and a-hall the fish reached rough water and in attempting to draw it alongside the boat a heavy su*"ge caused the line .to snap ami the fish was lost. It was estimated that this swordfish weighed about 3501 b. On Friday morning Mr McCullough hooked a swordfish close in undei tin ' lee of the island. This fish put up > I great fight. It made off in an easterly direction, and took the launch seven miles from the island before il was harpooned. H weighed 2831 b. On i .Saturday Mr McHardy hooked a | swordfish. the launch Dorothy being about three-quarters of a mile away from the Hokimai. Those aboard the | Dorothy had also hooked a swordfish j shortly before. After hail an hour's play the two swordfish came close to- ! gether. Both anglers had run out all i their line, and in attempting to pre- • vein them crossing the launch Hokii mai unfortunately cut Mr Campbell's ' line and the Dorothy's fish was lost. ; About hall an hour afterward- Mr McHardy drew his fish aboard the Hokimai, this swordfish weighing 2021 b. I The next day Mr McHardy Ttooked a ' swordfish. which fought for threequarters of an hour, and was eventually captured. This fish weighed , 2701 b, and was sent to the local freezing works with a view to its inclusion , in the New Zealand exhibit of fish that is to be forwarded to the Em- | pire Exhibition.