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New Jersey crew lands 622-pound swordfish after five-hour fight
New Jersey angler Eric McDowell and three crew members landed a 622.5-pound swordfish after a fight lasting more than five hours off Ocean City. The catch may set a state record, surpassing the previous 531-pound mark, and drew a crowd when the fish reached the local yacht club.
The crew hooked the fish at Tom’s Canyon, about 85 miles offshore, on 4 November. It measured 14 feet from bill to tail, and McDowell said it took patience to bring it in, with the fish repeatedly taking back line and jumping clear of the water. The crew plans to submit the catch for state-record consideration; McDowell later shared the fish with friends and neighbours.
In short
- A New Jersey crew caught a 622.5-pound swordfish.
- The fight to land it lasted more than five hours.
- The catch could beat the state record of 531 pounds.
Explained simply
Swordfish are large ocean fish named for the long, flat bill extending from their head. They live in warm and temperate seas, often far offshore, and are valued by both commercial and recreational fishers.
Tom’s Canyon is an offshore fishing area in the Atlantic, roughly 85 miles from Ocean City, New Jersey. Anglers go there by boat, and catching a large fish can involve a prolonged struggle as it pulls against the fishing line.
New Jersey recognises state fishing records based on the weight of a catch, so a potential record must be submitted for review. Such records provide a way to compare catches over time; the fish may also be shared as food after it is landed.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Proud angler shows off record-breaking 600 pound swordfish after battling beast for more than five hours”.