Deep-Sea Fishing Calls Anglers

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 258, 21 January 1928, Page 11

Deep-Sea Fishing Calls Anglers

CAMPS FILLING UP MANY FINE CATCHES (From Our Own Correspondent) RUSSELL, Friday. Deep-sea anglers are beginning to arrive at the Fishing camps in large numbers to indulge in the thrilling sport. The months of February, March and April are the best for sword-fishing, but it is not generally known that the mako shark, thresher shark, hammerhead shark, and the kingfish can be caught with rod and line during any month of the year. On January 10 last a great surprise awaited Mr White-Wickham, of London, while he was fishing off Piercy Island, near Cape Brett, when he hooked a fine broadbill which, when weighed, turned the scales at 6731 b. This is the largest broadbill ever landed on rod and line, and therefore constitutes a world’s record. The giant swordfish put up a great fight, and it took Mr. White-Wickham two and a-half hours before he could bring the fish to his launch. He was fishing from the launch Ozone, which is owned by Mr. Vipond, of Russell, and a word of praise is due to this launchman for the skilful way he handled his vessel. Mr. White-Wickham had with him, as his expert, the redoubtable Sid Irving, and what this man does not know about these denizens of the deep is hardly worth knowing. He seems to appreciate every movement of these fish, and it is largely due to this expert that when once a “swordie” is hooked the fish has little chance of escaping. PRIZE TOWED HOME

Owing to the great weight of the fish it could not be hauled aboard*, and it was found necessary to tow the monster home. On arriving at Otehei Bay the prize was hauled up for weighing. Its tail touched the top of the derrick and its bill rested on the wharf. When swinging in the air, the fish looked a perfect specimen of the broadbill. Mr. White-Wickham was heartily congratulated on his splendid catch. Some excellent photos were taken of the fish, and they will be sent Home for exhibit among those who are interested in big game fish. It has been suggested that if the Government could see its way to send to England, and other places, a few casts of these swordfish, it would be the means of giving wider publicity to the wonderful fishing grounds we possess in this Dominion. The more visitors we attract to New Zealand the better it will be for the country. We have a live publicity officer in the service of the State, and it is hoped he will bring this matter before the Minister. It may be mentioned that Mr. L. D. Mitchell, another Englishman, holds the world’s record for the biggest and heaviest fish caught on rod and line. It was a black marlin that this angler caught, when camped on the Island of Urupukapuka, Bay of Islands. When the fish was weighed in Russell, it turned the scales at 9761 b. This record will take some beating. WOOL-BUYERS' HOLIDAY A party of wool-buyers, after their heavy labours, enjoyed a most pleasant holiday angling off Cape Brett, where the large lighthouse stands, to give warning to all “ships that pass in the night.” The buyers made their headquarters at Otehei Bay. They expressed themselves as being highly delighted with the beauties of the Bay of Islands. The many islands dotted about the harbour makes one venture to express the opinion that there is nothing to compare with the scenery in any part of the world. During the woolbuyers’ fishing exploits, after the big game fish, the following catches will show that their “bids” for piscatorial “fleeces’* proved most successful. In point of fact, they are so enamoured with their visit that they have booked again for next season:— Mr. Howard Yotftig, of Boston, mako shark, 4061 b; Mr. Otto Sommers, of Leipzig, mako shark 3421 b, kingfish 561 b, mako shark 1801 b, kingfish 381 b; Mr. J. L. Blackmore, Wellington, Hapuka, 451 b. Mr. and Mrs. Kimball Salisbury and Mr. Mentund arrived from Chicago by the Makura on January 18, #nd will spend about six weeks fishing in the waters iii and around Cape Brett. They will stay at the fishermen’s rendezvous, which is situated at the head of Oehei Bay, and is in close proximity to the fishing grounds. COMING BACK AGAIN Mr. A. Dore, of Lyall Bay, Wellington, has returned to the capital, after spending an enjoyable holiday fishing. He had exceptionally hard luck in loosing a fine swordfish after playing it for some time. He also hooked three mako sharks, 'all of which evaded capture. Mr. Dore landed a blue shark, but unfortunately this does not come within the category of the big game fish. Mr. Dore having experienced the thrills of the sport, intends to pay a visit to the Bay of Islands next year. Mr. Howard Heinz and Mr. Flinn, of Pittsburg, are due here from America on February 1. They will re!main here for a month. This will be their first visit to the fishing grounds. A party from Government House, Melbourne, were due to arrive at the Bay of Islands yesterday, and will try their luck fishing. Mr. Geo. Baildon, the Mayor of Auckland, and Mr. H. R. Mackenzie, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, have returned to Auckland, after spending an enjoyable holiday cruising among the many bays and inlets in the northern waters. Messrs. B. Sladden, R. A. Falla, and A. T. Pycroft, all of Tauranga, came up from that town, in their launch Severn, and have made an extended tour of the bay. They -are at present anchored in Otehei Bay. sheltering from the heavy irale. * CATCH OFF TAURANGA While fishing off Otumoetai Point a Tauranga farmer, Mr. J. Tilby, hooked a shark, which was killed after a strenuous fight. The shark was Oft long.