Spearfishing World Record: Gear

This 100+ lb Narrow Barred(Spanish) Mackerel is not the World Record.  If I was prepared it would have been. Don’t let the same thing happen to you.  Pay attention and we’ll make sure you are ready when your chance comes.

This Mackerel taped out to a fair bit larger than the World Record at the time and we were positive it was in the 100 lb Range.  We measured it but were in such a remote place with no refrigeration were forced to either sacrifice and travel 2 days with no ice to get it weighed, fly it on a plane, ferry, and then in a taxi or cut it up and enjoy it with the village.  We took the measurements, submitted the record application and as you can imagine it was denied.  For good reason. I didn’t have my paperwork in order and I learned a valuable lesson about being prepared at all times no matter where I was traveling. 

So now that you have picked out the world record you know you can break or you are just keen to be ready in case the chance does come, lets get you geared up.

There are five basic things you need to complete the application process:

1. Application

2. Certified Scale

3. Tape Measure

4. Camera

5. Rules

1. The first thing you need to do is get a copy of the latest Application for an IUSA World Record and keep it with you.  You can download it here:   IUSA WORLD RECORD APPLICATION

 We will dive deeper into it tomorrow but for now just get it printed out and read it over.  Put in a plastic 2 Gallon Ziploc Bag with a pen and put it in your dive bag so you always have it and aren’t scrambling to find it when it matters.

2. Next thing you need is a certified scale.    Most of us aren’t going to drop $500-$1500 on a certified 500-1500lb Scale so its best to come up with an alternative plan.   If you are going to buy a scale, there are literally hundreds of different ones out there so do some research and find which ones are the most reliable.  Over the years I’ve had half a dozen scales certified and the IGFA suggests spring scales over digital almost every time.  Here is one of my favorites that is affordable I’ve seenon the internet that is already certified:    CERTIFIED SCALE

You can justify having the certified scale for more than just applying for a world record. If you want to take the BS out of telling your friends how mcuh your fish weigh, now you will know positively and be able to prove it to them.  If you do tournaments, now you will know where you stand and can accurately weigh all your fish.

Lastly, you’ll be surprised how often you’ll weigh stuff, I weigh my bags to exactly 50 lbs before each and every trip so I don’t have to do the last minute scramble at the airport when they accuse me of having my bags to heavy.

If you don’t want to buy a certified scale,  god forbid, find where the closest one is. I’ve weighed fish at bait and tackle shops, IGFA headquarters, the local Deli, Fedex Store, Airports (oh yeah they were stoked to see me roll in with a giant tuna… actually they stopped me before I got through the door, makes for a good story though!),  your local supermarket.  There are lots of options but you better be a smooth talked because they have nothing to gain by helping you out so be a good patron and buy something or hand the guy a few bucks.  With the exception of the bait shop, the rest of these places are required by law to have certified scales so put them to good use!

3. Tape

A simple measuring tape. Buy a cheap one and throw it in your ziploc bag. 

4. Camera

Your phone if you are not still trapped in the 90′s has a camera on it and this is good enough but one that can take at least 2MB pics is helpful for some of the pics that you have to take at what you will find is an impossible angle to see everything. If you can zoom in on it the Board will be a lot happier with you and it will make the application process smoother.

5. The Rules:

Probably the most common mistake people make is they print the application, but not the rules and you end up missing some of the pictures and measurements that you need. Don’t make this mistake.  We will walk through it more tomorrow but print these out or keep a copy of them on your phone for quick reference.  

You never know when you are going to get the chance to make the books so a bit of preparation goes a long way.  Most guys and girls I know that have landed record fish have had late nights scrambling around trying to get all the documentation done or print out and application or find a certified scale.   A little preparation goes a long way…

More to come.