The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1903-10-02
MONSTER SUNFISH

= three-hours' fight and the capture
of monster sunfish weighing 1880
pounds was the strenuous experience of
Two women and boatman at Catalina
last week. 1t has added new chapter
to the life of that famous mart and to
the fishing history of the Pacific Coast.
The fishermen of this coast have made
many notable catches and have CAPS
tured many things strange and start
lins in the sea, but the monster caught
last week, resembling a dismantled ale-
pAant minus the bones, is easily the
biggest catch of the season.
The particular one that was landed
owes his destruction really to two
women, Mrs A. w. Barrett, of Los An
geies. and Mrs. Nellie Hall, of Roches-
ter, n. Y. They were out in the Pacific
Ocean last Tuesday with Skippar
George Farnsworth in a launch, after
jewish. While gazing over the calm
surface of the channel about mile
from shore the ladies happened to look
behind them, and away off in the dis
tunce, about half-mile astern, saw a
greet black mass on the surface of the
sea that shone up distinctly in the sun.
Il was whale-like in size and appear
about to investigate the apparent dere-
lict. AS the boat drew near the occu
pants saw that it was a monster sun
fish that was lolling on the surface,
wa.ming itself in the morning sun.
From its size the party knew that to
venture too close might invite fight
and a wreck of the boat, but after con-
sultatlon the ladies decided that the big
Shiny lump of quvering flesh must he
shared if possible. Accordingly Skipper
Farnsworth selected his heaviest gaff
hook and turned on full steam ahead
for charge on the fish mountain.
When close enough, Farnsworth
swung the gait with all his force and
the hook went down deep into the quiv-
5ring flesh of the sleeping fish
1t was rude awakening, and when
the fish felt the sharp pain, it dashed
out In every direction with great fury
in the effort to free itself. The hook
had taken firm hold and could not be
pulled out and when the monster real
ized this, it renewed its fierce efforts to
escape.
This twisting and turning and
thgashing continued for over an hour
u.-ti. relief came in the person Of Boat
man Elms, who had seen the fight from
a distance and instantly realized that
something was doing. He also sunk his
bis gaff into the struggling sea ele-
plant, and by taking turns the two
men securely held it until it fought It.
self into complete exhaustion. the
struggle going on for one hour and
forty-five minutes after Elms arrived,
o. for about three hours after Farms
worth first gated 1t.
The task of bringing 1t to the beach
took up another half hour. 1t was
tCNed in by both launches, and doz
en- men worked themselves tired drag |
sing Il up on the beach. Although the |
tackle of Avalon Is ample for handling !
all kinds of fish up to 1000 pounds, 1t |
was inadequate for this one. for 1t was !
about twelve feet long and about five |
feet IN diameter.
II was almost as large as a prize COW |
at 4 county fair, and 1t attracted ten |
times as much attention. The entire |
OF Avalon turned out to see
The big thing, which had been drawn
up to the platform by means of a heavy
blpcl. and tackle. There 1t remand |
Cor 2 day. and it quivered with life for
many hours after being taken out OF
he Water.-Los Angeles (Cal) Cor,
Chicago Inter Ocean.