The International Underwater Spearfishing Association

International Underwater Spearfishing Association

World Record

13.4 kg. , 29.4 lbs.

Catfish, Flathead Plyodictis olivaris

Record Category: Men Sling / Polespear

Diver:		David Rankin
Date:		8/31/2025
Location:		UNITED STATES

My Fiancé's friend Natalie was was in town from Oregon and me and her were excited to get out and dive. I had been shooting some nice fish the week leading up to that day and Natalie was looking to spear her first fish. The weather was nice but the river as usual had about 3-4 ft of visibility. I ran upriver to one of my best spots below a shoal where it drops off and gets deeper. We had only been in the water for about 10 minutes when i found and shot a nice 30 inch flathead hiding under a stump near the shore. Back in the water I found a submerged tree that had been holding fish regularly. It was about 40 yards from shore and around 12ft deep. I dove down at the downstream end and swam up the length of it to the base of the tree where he was hiding underneath. I put a nice headshot on it but it didn't stone it. It shot out the other side of the log and i wasnt able to wrestle it out before i ran out of breath. I could barely reach the surface while holding my band on my pole spear to get another breath. I dove again, got my hand in his mouth, and swam it back to the boat. After that Natalie landed her first flathead and we were all smiles the rest of the day.
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