International Underwater Spearfishing Association

World Record

5.5 kg. ,   12.1 lbs.

Salmon, Coho    Oncorhynchus kisutch

Record Category: Women Speargun

Diver:		Katya Karankevich
Date:		9/15/2023
Location:		UNITED STATES

I was in a remote community off the road system on Kodiak island. The visibility on an incoming tide was rather good in this particular location, giving me 10-15 feet to spot schools of silver salmon. A kodiak grizzley, the largest brown bear in the world, was crossing the water about 100 feet from me. My friends from shore were yelling to get my attention and point to the bear nearby. He got out on shore and stood up, looking at us all. We saw about 2-6 grizzlies a day here, so it was not unusual. Alaska's taxman often has fur. I was nervous for the rest of the day, as my 9mm wetsuit hood doesn't allow me to hear anything. I was using a Red Tide carbon two band gun with a fabric/magnet slip tip. I picked out a large silver from the school, careful not to look too directly at the fish. The fabric slip tip engaged and held strong on the shot while I swam it back to shore. Visibility went to two feet immediately after.

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