The International Underwater Spearfishing Association

International Underwater Spearfishing Association

World Record

2.4 kg. , 5.2 lbs.

Bowfin Amia calva

Record Category: Men Sling / Polespear Freshwater

Diver:		Thomas Jay Naegele
Date:		6/26/2017
Location:		US

It was my day off of work, the sun was high in the sky and I thought it be my best chance for visibility considering it had rained the day before. Although the water conditions where not the best, I was quite eager to get out with my pole spear for the second time this season! I chose the spot because I had taken many large fish year after year and felt lucky! In the water For only a short time I began to doubt my chances of seeing anything with the water as muddy as it was but I kept on going thinking "Id rather be spearing than sitting on the couch!".. So I kept on hunting. I decided to pursue an area with submerged logs in a little cove that retreated about 15 ft back. The situation was very unsettling as I could only see one to two feet in front of me, I could not help but think I may run into one of the known Snapping turtles I've seen so many times with no warning! five feet into the cove an explosion of water and mud clouded up in front of me and I knew I had just bumped a large fish from its resting place. I assumed it was a common carp. I worked slowly around the mud cloud pulling my pole spear to maximum draw and thinking I may get lucky and catch the fish on its escape. While swimming on the perimeter of the cloud I caught a glance of an eel like tail I've seen many times! The Large Bowfin was swimming just inches in front of my mask! No time to lose, I pointed the spear to the largest portion of the body and let the spear fly!!
Make Certificate