The International Underwater Spearfishing Association

International Underwater Spearfishing Association

World Record

7.7 kg. , 17.0 lbs.

Snapper, Dog Lutjanus jocu

Record Category: Men Sling / Polespear

Diver:		Raul Boesel Jr
Date:		8/16/2014
Location:		BAHAMAS

Was diving about a quarter mile off of South Bimini. Flat Calm, it was around 3:30 in the afternoon and the viz was 100+ft. Found a coral head on the sounder in 85ft of water. Had my 9 ft sea stinger with riffe band and head hunter slip tip and injector wrong. For Terminal gear I was using a 15ft black float line attached to riffe band on polespear. Use that black float line as adjustment for different depths. Attached to that floatline I had a 75ft riffe spectra floatline to a small round bouy, size of a soccer ball. After a good breathe up, I made the dive. At 50ft down I saw what I thought was a mutton pop out of the head and go back in. Kept dropping, and at around 70ft, I saw the snapper pop out again, and this time I saw the unmistakable tear drop under his eye. When I got to the head, he was right under it, facing away from. I put a good holding shot mid body, and started to pull him out. He darted out, and wrapped around a fan. I unwrapped him, and as he tried to dart backin to the head, i started to pull him off the bottom. I hit the surface and started pulling hard on the float line. 20-30 seconds after that I had him in my hands. Was another 50 yard swim to the boat. Probably the most memorable hunt I've had. It was a chess game after I saw him the first time. Super fun! Very grateful to have had a chance at landing this one!