The International Underwater Spearfishing Association

International Underwater Spearfishing Association

World Record

14.1 kg. , 31.0 lbs.

Parrotfish, Rainbow Scarus guacamaia

Record Category: Men Sling / Polespear

Diver:		Steel Rockett
Date:		11/29/2023
Location:		UNITED STATES

It was the last day diving in the Bahamas.. Joey, (my friend/driver we hired from the island) suggested I shoot a big fish for his Christmas dinner... Preferably a parrot fish which is his usual favorite- (a fish that I normally catch as livestock for aquariums, not one I normally hunt) So I agreed that I would keep an eye out. First we found a few grouper at some shallow reefs then made our way to the next area- 3 flat rocks in 45ft of water that are usually teeming with life. As I jumped in, the first thing I did was check the biggest cave on the reef. As I looked inside I instantly saw a big YF grouper as it bolted away. I quickly reacted and speared the fish just before it escaped and ripped it out of the cave quickly. As I was pulling the fish up, I noticed a fish in the distance that resembled a big grouper but with a much different swimming pattern. (no tail bolts, more pectoral rows) As it drew closer I realized it was a giant reef fish- a rainbow parrot to be exact. Once realizing this I went to the surface & asked my driver one last time to confirm- "Hey Joey, you still want a parrot right? " Well Joey didn't hesitate for a split second to hand me another spear off the boat... so I started getting my breathe ready. First I saw the fish circle the reef then veer into the opposite cave entrance from the one I was at. As the fish entered the cave unbothered, I knew that now was my best chance to ambush. I dove down, loaded my Polespear, and waited for the fish to exit the other side. (Usual parrotfish behavior) As the fish exited the entrance I was waiting on top of, it sped up as soon as it noticed me. Upon instinct, it went to find the nearest structure- which ended up being the cave it had just exited from. The fish doubled back just as I lead my shot into the top of its head.Instantly, the fish began tearing into the reef bending the spear into the cave and pulling me down. After a brief battle I tore em out and surfaced. Needless to say my buddy Joey had all the fish that he wanted for his dinner after that. We ended up getting a few more fish then headed to shore just before dark.. Joey took the parrot to clean right away.After a few hours of cleaning the boat & everything it was about 9pm at night.. I figured I should look up the world record for this fish & I was shocked to see that it was much bigger than not just the polespear but Speargun record as well!! I quickly called Joey- Good news is he still had the fish-Bad news is that he gutted and gilled it (losing at least 5-7lbs min.) But I knew this fish would still be big enough despite this, so we ended up weighing the fish and were relieved to see that it still very much qualified still. After taking the measurements, Joey put the fish back in his freezer for Christmas dinner and I flew back home to South Florida. Now I'm really hoping to return to the island soon & get the beak mounted off this beast once it's been eaten.
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