The International Underwater Spearfishing Association

International Underwater Spearfishing Association

World Record

16.4 kg. , 36.2 lbs.

Catfish, Flathead Plyodictis olivaris

Record Category: Women Speargun

Diver:		Brittany Perry
Date:		7/31/2022
Location:		UNITED STATES

I was spearing in the Sabine river when I shot this flathead catfish. The visibility that day was about 4ft and the current was slow but steady. I dove about 10-15ft to the bottom of the river and was slowly swimming along the muddy floor when the fish came into view from the dark. It was large and laying stationary. I took aim and creeped a little bit closer to make sure it wasn’t a carp hiding through the murk. I took the short, 3ft shot and with a thump, I knew it was time to head to the surface. The swim back to the bank wasn’t the easiest but I was able to get to shore, kick off my fins and bring it on land. Logan Boudreaux, who I was spearfishing with, watched from the shore and was waiting for me. We were both surprised by how big it actually was. He suggested that we find a dock on Toledo Bend to have it weighed. We loaded up and drove to Living The Dream docks to have the fish weighed on the certified scales and celebrated with a couple drinks.