The International Underwater Spearfishing Association

International Underwater Spearfishing Association

World Record

4.5 kg. , 10.0 lbs.

Salmon, Chinook Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Record Category: Men Speargun

Diver:		Daniel Regehr
Date:		5/29/2016
Location:		UNITED STATES

On that Sunday afternoon, I wasn't expecting to see many fish because it was still quite early in the season for both Rockfish and King Salmon. My plan was just to enjoy being in the water and to continue getting my gear ready for when the season really heats up. I geared up and got in the water at White Sands Beach. It was a beautiful, sunny day with light winds and 25 foot visibility, which is quite good for Kodiak. I swam out about 200 yards from the beach along a rocky/cliff shoreline checking the rocks and kelp beds for spearable fish. Nothing. After an hour and a half I decided to start heading back. I came up from a drop to the bottom and saw the faint outline of a tail in distance. I followed and found a group of rockfish in a gap in the rocks. I aimed, fired and got a hit that didn't hold. I reloaded and got two rockfish on successive shots over the next few minutes. By the time the fish were on the stringer, there was quite a cloud of blood, scales, etc. in the water. Having caught dinner, I turned to swim in. Just then, I saw a group of three King Salmon cruising along the base of the rocks near the bottom. One of the group turned up toward the cloud. I quickly kicked back toward the cloud and just then the King saw me and began to turn away, giving me a broadside view. I fired and the spear connected just behind the gill plate - a solid holding shot! After a minute of action I was able to dispatch the fish and swim back.