The International Underwater Spearfishing Association

International Underwater Spearfishing Association

World Record

12.5 kg. , 27.5 lbs.

Yellowtail, Northern Seriola lalandi dorsalis

Record Category: Men Sling / Polespear

Diver:		Kevin Alan Glen
Date:		9/13/2015
Location:		UNITED STATES

I like to think this one was a bit of ocean karma. We were in the process of moving from one spot to another when we spotted a bird that looked to be in distress in the water. When we pulled up to it with the boat, we discovered it was a cormorant tangled to a dead sea gull with fishing line. I jumped into the water and caught the bird, swam it back to the boat, and we all helped cut off line and remove hooks (there were a lot). The bird was then released and swam away, hopefully without permanent damage. While I was in the water retrieving the bird I had noticed a nice bait ball, and insisted we stay there for a bit. Within about 2 minutes of releasing the cormorant and getting into the water a large school of yellowtail swam by underneath me. I loaded my pole spear and dove, swimming parallel to the fish and down to their level. Sure enough the school turned toward me, and one fish came in close enough for the shot. I placed a nice shot through the lateral line about mid-body. Knowing the shot would hold, I pulled the fish in quickly. The whole thing was only about 1 minute, from seeing the fish to my hands in the gills. It was then a much longer swim up current back to the boat.
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