DEEP-SEA ANGLING

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 4, 26 March 1927, Page 13

DEEP-SEA ANGLING

SPORT IN THE NORTH THE FISHERMAN’S PARADISE (From Own Correspondent.) RUSSELL, This day. In view of the fact that much prominence has recently been given to deep-sea angling in the Dominion it seems quite evident that a largely increased number of visitors from overseas may be expected to indulge in this thrilling sport in the future. The fact that the Duke and Duchess of l:ork visited the Bay of Islands in the famous battleship Renown has also added much interest to the sport. Although His Royal Highness was only able to make a short stay in the North, his experience of the fishing has led him to express the hope that a time would come when he could spend a month in the waters around Cape Brett. He realises that there is thrilling sport to be had there with rod and line iLnd the interest he has shown cannot fail to increase the popularity of our great asset with each passing year. THE FIRST BIG FISH. To Mr. A. D. Campbell is due the credit of landing the first swordfish at Russell. It was in the year 1909 when this gentleman caught his big fish, and since that time deep-sea angling has made much progress and there is no knowing to what extent the sport will grow. Great credit is due to Mr. Zane Grey, the American novelist, who visited New Zealand last season, at the invitation of our Government, and the fact that the film, "Fighting Fins,” has gone forth to the whole of the world will, undoubtedly, be the means of giving New Zealand wide publicity. Mr. Zane Grey is now on board his schooner in New Zealand, with a party of experts, and the valuable information he is obtaining regarding the habits of the denizens of the deep will be available to the public in due course. His schooner is equipped with every conceivable requirement for obtaining valuable data regarding the many different species of fish which abound in these waters. TACKLE. The controversy over methods of fishing has no doubt been the means of bringing about certain reforms; and in this connection it is very noticeable that a number of anglers are casting aside the obsolete methods and prefer now to fish with the reel and line on the top of the rod instead of on the bottom side. The number of fishing clubs which have sprung into existence is a matter for congratulation, as it proves the people are alive to the fact that it is necessary to foster this deep-sea sport. The rods which are used when fishing for the monsters of the deep measure in length Gft. 6in. to 7ft., and the more popular types of rods are made of split cane, hickory, or tanekaka. The split cane .and hickory rods are imported from overseas, but the tanekaka, rod is made from the native tree bearing that name. The wood is strong and pliable, and after being properly treated, an inexpensive rod for c.eep-sea fishing is brought within the means of the average person. Perhaps the most expensive part to procure is the reel, as there are so many patents, all of which have something to commend them to the angler, and it is always advisable for an angler to get into touch with an expert fisherman before buying any tackle. The best reels are made of metal, but wooden reels are not as expensive. The lines are, as a rule, what may be termed 36-thread, which is about as thick as an ordinary shop thread, and it is simply marvellous that such monster fish can fall victims to rod and line. A sight to behold is a swordfish after being hooked, and it is only those who have had the experience of fighting big fish who know what thrills and excitement there is in the sport. It is essential that tackle should be of the very best to enable anglers to fight their fish and successfully land them. To view a swordfish, when caught, leaping out of the water, and practically walking along the waves on its tail, is a sight never to be forgotten. Swordfish after being hooked make a rush for a distance of several hundred yards and if the greatest care is not exercised snap goes your line, and it is a case of goodbye to the trace and a considerable portion of the line, which measures when new anything from 300 to 500 yards in length. In view of the fact that it is necessary to fish with a wire trace it will be observed that anglers prefer a steel trace about 30ft. in length, with the hook securely attached thereto. If the wire trace is not used the swordfish or mako shark, when hooked, is very apt to bite the line and it has frequently happened that many a record fish has been lost by not taking the necessary precautions. PLENTY OF BAIT. The matter of catching the bait is one which many pages could be written about, but it will suffice for the present if brief mention is made of the shoals of all kinds of fish which are to be seen in the neighbourhood of Bird Rock and Cape Brett. The acres and acres of fish which abound in these waters make one venture to express the opinion that the swordfish will continue to migrate to New Zealand waters in large numbers to feed, so that the question of protection, or limiting the number of fish to be caught by any one angler, need not be given a thought. It should be borne in mind that without the three-miles limit any foreigners can fish with impunity, and no valid reason has yet been given why any government should interfere with the true sport of deep-sea fishing in New Zealand waters, and so long as the breeding grounds (which by the way are not -.longside the New Zealand coast) remain undisturbed there is nothing to fear. It is well known that swordfish travel a long way, are migratory, and like the warmth. In speaking to a naval officer who is a great lover of deep-sea fishing, he stated that the reason for the lateness of the arrival of the swordfish this season was in large measure due to the fact that the warm currents which strike the coast of New Zealand are at least a month later this year. On examining a log kept on board a steamer that trades around this coast it has been ascertained that last season northerlv winds prevailed during the fishingseason. This year there has been a preponderance of "blow” from the east and other unfavourable quarters the result being that the sea has been too rough along the coast to allow anglers to indulge in deep-water fishing with any degree of comfort. Besides, the fish do not rise to the surface in great numbers while the cold winds prevail.