International Underwater Spearfishing Association

World Record

11.7 kg,   25.8 lbs
Mackerel, Narrowbarred Spanish   

Scomberomorus commerson

Record Category: Men Sling/Polespear

Diver: David Ochoa

Date: 09/07/2024

Location: Madagascar

After spending the day diving 30 miles north of Nosy Be, Madagascar. We decided to check one last spot. A little pinnacle that comes quite shallow that has some big Spanish mackerel sometimes. We had seen a 20kg plus fish on the previous spot but couldn’t close the gap on the pole spear so the expectations were high. I didn’t breath up properly as I just wanted to see what the current was doing and where the bait was.

At around 12m I see a small patch of bait right on the up current side of the wall so I decide to check closer. As I got to the bottom at around 18m I was ready to come back up but the bait ball split and raced towards me. That classic view that often ends with a big predator behind.

When I look to my left I see a decent size king mackerel swimming towards me and I raced to close the gap. These fish usually keep their distance but they allow you to chase them and that was the case. I got close enough to land a solid holding shot and the fish took off. I was scared the shot didn’t go all the way through so I didn’t wanna put a lot of pressure on the fish.

Stoked to land my first Spanish mackerel on the pole spear!