The International Underwater Spearfishing Association

International Underwater Spearfishing Association

World Record

17.5 kg. , 38.6 lbs.

Catfish, Flathead Plyodictis olivaris

Record Category: Men Speargun

Diver:		Seth Anderson
Date:		10/15/2021
Location:		UNITED STATES

The catfish was speared October 15th on the outside of the south breakwall. Depth was about 10 ft, and the water temperature was about 65 degrees. I was shore diving alone. I saw a smaller channel catfish close to the pier right when I got in the water, so I thought I might check up towards the shallows more than usual during this day. After about 10 minutes in the water, I took a shallow dive cruising over the top of the larger boulders. As I came to a gap in the boulders I looked down and saw this catfish cruising. I wasn’t anticipating seeing anything noteworthy on the dive, thus didn’t have my GoPro on. I quickly took a shot into the top of it’s head and out the bottom. It fought hard initially, but I ensured the shaft was fully through and wrestled the fish to the surface. I turned my GoPro on part way through the fight. I then continued hunting for about 20 more minutes before getting out. I stopped some strangers on the pier and asked them to snap some pictures and send them to me. I then hauled it back down the pier to my car.