World junior swordfish record ratified

Whitianga’s Daniel Wilson (15) landed a 282.80 kg swordfish on May 21, 2021, to set the IGFA Male-Junior Record (11-16) for the species, which was ratified by IGFA recently.

Daniel was fishing off Mayor Island, New Zealand aboard his dad Nathan’s Westcoaster Shamrock, with Tony Tucker on board, when the 282.80kg (623-pound, 7-ounce) swordfish struck a deep bait in ideal fishing conditions. After a gruelling four-hour and 30-minute battle, he was finally able to get the fish to the gaff after they had the leader in hand three times but had to drop it.

It was the second swordfish Daniel caught that day. Earlier he tagged and released an estimated 80kg fish.

He also kept his run of good angling feats going the next day. Fishing aboard Undertaker, he landed a 26kg shortbill spearfish to create a national mark.

Congratulations Daniel and crews for some great efforts. 

- Grant Dixon