The International Underwater Spearfishing Association

International Underwater Spearfishing Association

World Record

11.6 kg. , 25.5 lbs.

Snapper, Emperor Red Lutjanus sebae

Record Category: Women Speargun

Diver:		Lorena Hrbut
Date:		9/22/2025
Location:		AUSTRALIA

We were off on a camping trip to the islands to celebrate our anniversary, the weather was beautiful and we had absolutely no expectations or serious goals during this trip. However, we had always spoken about what an incredible achievement it would be for me to be the first woman to shoot a Red Emperor over 10kg. With the hundreds of dives Marcus and I have shared together, it proved to not be so easy to find a fish with the weight to break this record near our home town. The morning started off with diving our usual spots but also exploring new territory, I was feeling good during my dives and the water clarity was on the better side. We had come across a new ground which looked interesting on the sounder, so we jumped in the water and Marcus breathed up and took his dive. Upon coming to the surface he said that there was a very large trout and a cod, from what he could see. I breathed up and took my dive, I saw the large trout staring right at me, the ledge and a whole lot of nothing else. Once I reached the surface, we decided to move spots as there had been more fish life in other areas. Marcus hopped onto the boat and I hesitated, I asked If maybe I should shoot that trout as it was very large. Marcus agreed and told me to do one more dive if I felt like it.... I was really unbothered, but, I breathed up and slowly dove down. Once I saw the ledge, I I leveled out and begun looking around for this big trout. As I turned my head to the right, my heart stopped, adrenalin rushed through me. Two giant Red Emperor, but the one swimming in front was what caught my eye. THAT'S THE FISH! A BUS OF A RED EMPEROR! THAT'S. THE. FISH. I had never seen one so big before!! I knew that was it! It looked like the moon or one huge dinner plate. Trailing behind it was a slightly smaller Red, both of them cruising past, I quickly extended my arms out as far as I could and gently kicked towards it. The giant Red slightly turned his head towards me and without hesitation I took my shot! A perfect holding shot, I knew I had it! I loosened my drag and I kicked up to the surface. Marcus was watching and I yelled to him with the biggest excitement "TWO BIG REDS!". He yells back "YOU'RE KIDDING ME". We are so frazzled and excited, I yell back to him, "I think its a record!! It has to be!". I bring the fish up from the depths and hook my hand under its gills. The fish is incredible. I kick it back to the boat and Marcus and I are in awe of what just happened. Completely unexpected, this fish really did come out of no where and one last dive paid off!
Make Certificate