The International Underwater Spearfishing Association

International Underwater Spearfishing Association

World Record

7.5 kg. , 16.4 lbs.

Snapper, Yellow Lutianus argentiventris

Record Category: Men Speargun

Diver:		Matheus Linhares Barros de Souza
Date:		12/2/2024
Location:		ECUADOR

On my second trip to Ecuador with famous local diver and captain Lenin Borbor and Brazilian experienced coach Paulo Junior, we didn't find much fish activity at first, so Lenin suggested we go to rock formations further north. When we got there, we realized that the current had shifted to the south, and right from the start we saw a lot of fish activity, especially yellow snappers. On one of the dives, as the current was strong, I ended up going off the planned route and found a spot 25m deep, with a bottom made up of low rocks and sand, with a lot of baitfish activity in mid-water. As I passed this shoal, I spotted huge yellow snappers (maybe 5 or 6) lurking in slightly colder, murky water. I continued my descent with a static body and managed to land an excellent shot on the head of the nearest snapper, which didn't seem to notice my arrival until the shot. As soon as I got back to the boat with the fish, still stunned by the possible record, I told Paulo that there was a shoal of huge snappers in the area. After a dive, Paulo returns with a yellow snapper slightly smaller than mine. When we got to the scales, the difference between the two fish was only 1lb and, as luck would have it, mine was bigger.
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