WITH THE BIG FISH

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10302, 11 January 1927, Page 5

WITH THE BIG FISH

WORLD'S RECORD HAMMERhead shark Landed

'AN EXCITING FIGHT,

(Special to the Times.) AUCKLAND, Jam io. The deep sea fishing season, both at Deepwater Cove and Mangonui, bids fair to eclipse records this year said Mr B. Scannell, „f Napier a-h’o turned on. Saturday from a three weeks’ stay in Deepwater Cove in the North. This.is the first occasion in which swordfish have-been landed before the New Year, and some •excellent sport is being enjoyed. Mr Scannell has been an annual visitor at l Deepwater Cove for some years, and this year lias been fishing company with Captain J. Mawson" of the Onion Company, and his son. Mi. Broughton Scannell. All three have , made catches of big fish, Mr fecaunel having caught the world’s record hammerhead shark, weighing oanii ’ a , . mako shark weighing dJOIb., while his son caught a 1901 b mako shark.

The methods of fishermen in trolling tor kawhai and keeping them alive to use for bait are well-known,- but the Russell'fishermen are using a new species of float. An ordinary balloon covered with a handkerchief to stop it from bursting is attached to the line in the same method as a kite. This method was introduced by Mr G. Alma Baker two seasons ago/ and by its bobbing fishermen can detect when they have a- bite;

Mr Scannell’s best day this year was, of course, the day on which he landed his record hammerhead. This gave a great fight of about two hours’ duration. This fish nearly always fights on top of the water, making runs of from 100 to 150 yards. This one took the sportsmen in the launch out to sea, fighting all the time, until it was brought alongside. Then it was harpooned and nooses were passed over its tail and Behind its dorsal fin as is the custom with sharks. The fish weighed 3961 b., thus beating the previous record fish landed by Captain Mitchell last year, which weighed 3951b5.

Although it was landed after only about half-an-hour, the 1901 b mako caught by Mr. Scannell, jimr., gave good sport. ,Its capture gave the 16-year-old sportsman the distinction of being the youngest member of the fishing club to land a sporting fish.