A Sandy Bay teenager has claimed what’s believed to be a record-breaking catch after a gruelling three-hour battle with a massive swordfish off Tasmania’s east coast.
15-year-old Lochie Miller hauled in the 151-kilogram fish during a Tuna Club Tasmania competition at Pirates Bay on Saturday.
The epic fight played out in 550-metre-deep water off Eaglehawk Neck, with the young angler spending three hours and 15 minutes wrestling the fish to the boat.
“We lost a smaller one early in the day but we managed to hook up and it was just about, it took over three hours in the end and we just had to keep going on it,” Miller told Pulse.
“We had 20 kilos of drag on it for two hours.”
The fish, measuring just over four metres in length, tested every ounce of the teenager’s skill and endurance.
“It was just really mentally challenging in the end but we managed to finally pull it in and get it on board fortunately.”
Lochie’s dad Leo, who was among five people on board during the catch, said the fish would be shared among friends, family and crew members.
“It freezes really well. You can freeze it for up to a year because it’s got quite a high visceral fat content,” he said.
“We’re having steaks on the barbecue tonight. It’s a really good eating fish.”
He said swordfish are among the ocean’s toughest opponents for anglers.
“They’re the hardest fighting fish in the ocean because they’ve got more white muscle than any other fish in the world,” he said.
During Tasmania’s swordfish season, amateur anglers typically land around 50 fish, with half kept and half tagged and released.
The competition saw 33 other boats competing from the same port, with dozens more recreational fishing vessels in the area.
For Lochie, who has been fishing since he was four-and-a-half years old, the catch is the pinnacle of years pursuing the sport.
“I’ve caught a lot of fish before but this one definitely takes the cake,” he said.
“Of all the ones I’ve caught, this is definitely the best.”
