“SWORDIES” COME CLOSER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 924, 18 March 1930, Page 11

“SWORDIES” COME CLOSER

BIG FISH CAUGHT OFF LITTLE BARRIER MAKOS ALSO PLENTIFUL That big-game fish may be caught comparatively close to Auckland was demonstrated on Saturday, when a party fishing from Mr. H. R. Burrett’s launch, the Raema. hooked and landed a fine swordfish off the Little Barrier Island. VITiIKN A land next day with the fish, this was no doubt the first occasion on which a launch has entered the Waitemata with the spoils of deep-sea fishing borne in the approved style over the counter The fish was hooked while trolling, and for an hour fought strongly, towing the launch in the direction of the Mokohinau Group. It could not be weighed, but appeared to be not les< than 2501 b. Mako sharks were also observed, but could not be induced to take the bait. The party, consisting of Messrs. Burrett, 11. G. Bartleet, Langstaff and Euan Dickson, left Auckland on Friday evening, and lay under the Little Barrier until dawn on Saturday. The head of the fish will be preserved and mounted. Though probably the first to have been caught in the Gulf with proper deep-sea fishing equipment, it is not the first to have been observed there. Manv years ago a swordfish was harpooned'in tin-har-bour itself, off Judge's Bav.