The International Underwater Spearfishing Association

International Underwater Spearfishing Association

World Record

15.3 kg. , 33.7 lbs.

Pompano, African Alectis ciliaris

Record Category: Men Sling / Polespear

Diver:		judd rosen
Date:		11/2/2013
Location:		BAHAMAS

While freediving aboard the Anejo, with my brother Brett Rosen and Wes Thompson in an area off Bimini Bahamas, we were approached by a pack of aggressive African Pompanos. They were not the least bit shy and kept circling us repeatedly. Of course the largest fish in the school swam right up to my mask at the exact time my tip fell off the Riffe Polespear. I tried to stay calm as the fish swam a semi circle in front of me and then took off into the blue. Quickly adjusting the tip, i gulped a large breath of air before dropping down about 20 feet deep towards the bottom. Laying motionless near the bottom must have peeked the school's curiosity. They returned to investigate and mark their territory. I watched in awe of their beauty and let a few of the smaller fish pass before taking aim on one of the larger Ap's. It was not the big fish i saw earlier, but when the shot hit, he took off with lightning speed. We battled for several minutes before i grabbed my trusty "stoner sling" to go in for the kill shot. This fish was one of three we landed that day. All unassisted. We harvested just enough for consumption and left the rest of the fish for another day, another adventure, and maybe another world record.