The International Underwater Spearfishing Association

International Underwater Spearfishing Association

World Record

4.7 kg. , 10.4 lbs.

Wiper Morone chrysops x Morone saxatilis

Record Category: Men Sling / Polespear

Diver:		Kenneth V Western
Date:		5/21/2025
Location:		UNITED STATES

This is a fish that I have been after for years. I have had some success in the past with a speargun, however my best wiper weighed in at around 6.5 pounds. Planning this trip with my two kids Jake and Jocelynn, this was the first spearfishing trip specifically dedicated to wiper for the year. In prior years the viz had been so bad that it was nearly impossible to spearfish and with my kids remembering those dives quickly opted to bring their rods instead. Arriving early at the lake, it was a surprise to find some of the best viz we have ever seen, which was aided by the calm weather and not a single boat on the lake. I quickly geared up with a Salvimar Darkside 75 CM attached to my float as a back-up and my Salvimar 195 cm pole spear with a slip tip in hand, hoping to get an amazing wiper on a pole spear. I slipped down into the water and began diving at an average of 15’. Nearing my target depth, I found the viz less than desired, but around 6’ which worked well for the pole spear. After hours of being entertained by many amazing small and largemouth, crappie and catfish, all which were illegal to shoot, I finally started seeing a few wiper. After a few more dives I had a school of wiper running by and despite the challenging viz I shot my first wiper of the day. It was a great fish, but far from the one I was after. After this first fish I realized the band securing the dyneema for my slip tip had disappeared and I did not have another. Every dive after that I had to hold the dyneema to keep the slip tip in place. I continued on loosing count of the dives and finally landed a perfect shot on my second wiper. Moving down the final stretch of shore for the day, I tossed my flasher and immediately a school of wiper flashed 5’ from the surface and then darted off. I slowly descended down 15’ to the murky bottom and within 45 seconds the school was zipping by. I quickly picked out the fattest wiper in view and landed a shot high in the body. With the slip tip I was able to gently play the fish until it was close enough to bear hug and dispatch. With the fish in my arms, I knew right away that this was a new world record wiper taken by pole spear. What a fun and amazing day!
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