International Underwater Spearfishing Association
World Record  
11.8 kg. ,   26.0 lbs.
Corvina, Yellowtail    Cynoscion stolzmanni
Record Category: Men Speargun

Diver: Andre Street
Date: 12/18/2022
Location: PANAMA


The sun was just beginning to rise as we set out on our journey from our hotel, in San Jose island (Las Perlas) to the place we had come to know as "Jurassic Park". My brother, Diego Santiago and I, eagerly jumped into the water, our hearts pounding with anticipation as we waited for the current to subside and the hunt for the biggest grouper of the trip to begin. As we dove deeper into the depths, the crystal clear waters revealed an abundance of cuberas, their massive forms gliding gracefully through the water. We were awestruck by their beauty, but decided not to shoot, knowing that the true adventure lay ahead. The current carried us to a new rock formation that I had never seen before, but Diego seemed to know it well. The water was shallow, no more than 7-8 meters deep, and as we swam closer, Diego turned to me and whispered, "Breathe, relax, and try not to shoot. The fish will come to you, just contemplate." I followed his advice, and as I scanned the waters, I saw a school of corvinas darting past at lightning speed. I dove in for a closer look and was amazed by their agility and grace. As I surfaced, I saw a lone corvina, larger than any I had ever seen before, swimming just a few meters away. My heart raced as I slowly approached, praying that she wouldn't dart away. I took my shot with my Riffe 1.20 from above, and the fish became immobilized. I caught her and took a picture to commemorate the moment. Diego Santiago and my brother watched the whole scene in amazement, and Diego mentioned that it could be a world record. We decided to weigh and check the previous largest fish of that species, and it was confirmed that this was indeed the case. After all the excitement, we enjoyed a delicious dinner with the corvina and many people were able to partake in the fruits of our labor. It was a truly unforgettable adventure, one that I will always treasure.

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