The big fish caught at Castlepoint on Friday, which was identified as a marlin in Saturday’s Times-Age, is more accurately described as a shortbill spearfish.
Both marlin and the shortbill spearfish are part of the Istiophoridae fish family.
It’s believed to be the first time a shortbill spearfish has been caught at Castlepoint.
“It weighed in at 28.15kg,” Dave Cameron, Wairarapa Sports Fishing Club’s resident weigh master, said.
“The average weight for this species is 22kg, and the highest recorded was 44kg, so this is a good one.”
The shortbill spearfish was caught just days after a marlin was landed at Castlepoint for the first time since 1996.
Wayne Loader, the skipper of the boat the shortbill spearfish was hooked from, was pleased with the catch.
“We were out for most of the day, but we caught the fish within about 30 minutes,” he said.
“My son Nick caught it, and he could feel the line grabbing; it felt heavy.”
Returning ashore, Loader took the fish to Wairarapa Sports and Fishing Club to be weighed. After the details were recorded, the fish was cooked to feed the hungry crew, with the remainder given away to friends.
Cameron is hoping that news of the two recent rare catches will attract more people to the club’s fishing competition at Castlepoint this weekend.
Weather permitting, the contest will be held from Friday through to Sunday, from 7am-7pm on Friday and Saturday, and 7am-4pm on Sunday.
Cameron suggested the best time to check out the event for those not competing is between 4pm and 5pm, when the fish are weighed, and said any observers are very welcome to visit the club rooms at 4/2 Jetty Road, Castlepoint.
