The International Underwater Spearfishing Association

International Underwater Spearfishing Association

World Record

17.1 kg. , 37.6 lbs.

Grouper, Gag Mycteroperca microlepis

Record Category: Men Sling / Polespear

Diver:		Nicholas Bailey
Date:		6/9/2025
Location:		UNITED STATES

I was diving at a cool new spot I found with the sonar and it was loaded with baitfish. I had been diving with the polespear in hope of getting this exact record. It was frustrating not even being able to spear smaller snappers with the polespear, but with it nearing the end of Gag Grouper season, I decided to persist. On my way to the bottom I loaded my polespear and saw about a 14 pound Gag, but it spooked. As I reached the bottom, I followed a big snapper to a hole, and shined my flashlight in it. Just a big goliath and some other fish that I wasn't after. I saw another hole to my left so I shined the light in there and saw what I thought was a big Cubera snappers tail. As I shined my light again, I realized it was a grouper. I aimed my Riffe polespear to stone it and let it fly. Though I didn’t stone the fish, I unicorned it through the eye and out by the belly. It swam directly out of the hole still on the injector rod! On my way up I clipped my belt reel to it, but realized it was easier to just keep letting the fish swim up. I screamed with pure joy and disbelief at the surface. I was in shock that I found the fish and even got it in one dive. I’ve been stuck for hours many times after shooting groupers half this size in holes, so this was really special. When I passed the fish into the boat, my buddy Oliver nearly fell in the water trying to pull it in. High fives, pictures, and a smile you couldn't wipe off of my face were what followed. I told a bunch of my friends I was going to try to break this record this year, and I’m very proud to accomplish that goal. Part of me was a little sad because my buddy Drake has the record, and he recently passed away while freediving. But, I know Drake would be stoked for me and I'm honored to submit a record of the same fish. This is my first time submitting a World Record, hopefully there's more to come!
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