06/13/79 New York Post

New York Post
June 13, 1979
By Paul Pucciarelli

Tred Barta, who once told me he could catch tuna trolling with salamis, invited me swordfishing last weekend. Swordfishing in June?
“Believe me, Paul, the Canyon is loaded with fish this early because the water in the Gulf Stream is extremely warm,” he insisted.
So last Sunday the 27 year-old used plane salesman and his father hook his 32 foot RandiStrike off shore and quickly boated the first rod and reel sword of the season, a 202 pounder. A real feat since some people never catch a sword.
Fishing some 120 miles southeast of Shinnecock Inlet, between Block and Hudson Canyons, Barta baited four others before finally hooking his trophy on a 15inch double-hooked swordfish squid. The light tackle specialist, who holds numerous world records, attributed the loss of the other swords to bad luck, swordfish fever and poor judgment.
“The classic goof was being undercrewed,” he said. “Only my father and I were aboard.” So after four hours and 30 minutes, using 50-pound test line, the fish was brought to gaff, Barta’s first in five years.
Barta has gone on record that some of the world’s best fishing is within 150 miles of the Statue of Liberty.
“When it comes to gamefishing, the blue waters around New York have no equal,” he said. “And, it’s a fact that some of the world’s best charter boat captains fish these waters regularly, and are available throughout the season.”
I’ll buy that.