The International Underwater Spearfishing Association

International Underwater Spearfishing Association

World Record

25.3 kg. , 55.8 lbs.

Grouper, Black Mycteroperca bonaci

Record Category: Women Sling / Polespear

Diver:		Taylor Barit
Date:		4/9/2017
Location:		BERMUDA

We had just gotten off the boat and were searching for fish when I spotted the grouper hanging out on the edge of a reef ahead. As we got closer he got spooked and headed to a nearby cave for shelter. My friend, Chris Duperreault, went down and checked the hole but he wasn't there. After a couple minutes of looking I found him tucked up, showing his whole body and head. It was perfect. I surfaced and tried to slow my heart from beating out of my chest, I was so excited. I went back down and now there was a lobster in my way, trying to grip onto my spear with his legs so it made it a bit challenging to align my spear. The fish was pretty far back with other parts of reef in the way but I aimed the spear just behind his eye and let it fly. It hit bone so the tip didn't hold and he swam to another room in the cave. The sand was all stirred up so I had to wait a couple minutes for it to settle and try to find him. When we found him he was showing just his head. I went down with my Evolve pole spear and shot him in the head again and this time there was no movement. I started to pull the spear and he came right out. The fish gave one last attempt and tried a couple small kicks as I pulled him to the surface so I brained him and took him to the boat. It was an unbelievably awesome experience and I am super thankful for my dive partner Chris.