The International Underwater Spearfishing Association

International Underwater Spearfishing Association

World Record

4.6 kg. , 10.1 lbs.

Drum, Freshwater Aplodinotus grunniens

Record Category: Women Speargun

Diver:		Shelby Lynn Peterson
Date:		7/23/2021
Location:		UNITED STATES

I had the opportunity to participate in the 2021 Freshwater Worlds Tournament held in Beaver Lake Arkansas. On the second day of the competition we were specifically hunting rough fish. 30 minutes before the end of the competition I was diving with my dive partner in flooded timber. I would dive to the base of trees or in-between the bases of sunken trees. I came to a spot right between two sunken trees sticking out of the water and dove. At the bottom of my decent before reaching the bottom two freshwater drum swam out from behind a fallen tree on the bottom. I instinctively pointed and shot my gun at the bigger of the two drum knowing it could be a potential world record. I aimed toward the middle of the fish as to not glance off his hard skull. The fish flipped once as the shaft pierced it but I was able to quickly subdue him and string him on my float line as I nicked its spine. I was then able to submit it as one of my fish in the tournament as well as use a present certified scale to weigh it so I could submit it for this record.