No Big Deal, Just a 200lbs Goliath Grouper!!

Hello from the land of sand and blue seas,

Let’s just dive right off the deep end and into the heart of this monster fish, shall we? I was sweating in my second floor office surrounded by screens as I often do when a sudden urge to go snorkeling overpowered me… I grabbed my gear and skipped down the steps to hit the streets without missing a beat. As I’m burning the soles of my feet on the searing concrete while contemplating if I prefer oatmeal or shredded wheat I see an acquaintance and inquire what’s the good word? Supposedly the good word was well that fish above, unreal eh!?

As I approached the beach I could see a gathering, the type that forms whenever there is an accident, fight or some other spectacle. Get through the small crowd and see this Goliath Grouper or Junefish or whatever. Supposedly they are in the same family, others say no but who really cares just look at it? Supposedly this type of fish can get up to three times larger and a whopping 600lbs!? This fish was so big that supposedly the small skiff nearly flipped as they managed to “haul em in”.

I grew up catching fish that looked like this weighing 1/5th of a pound and loved it. For someone who loves fish and fishing, just being there for a catch like this is like winning the World Series for a Baseball fan. It’s also why people pay good money to go deep sea fishing because “anything can happen at sea”. For every 10,000 fishermen who catch nothing, not even a rock there is that one who goes out and catches the biggest fish anyone has ever seen. Who cares about catching a barracuda when you can catch a Goliath grouper!?

The largest steak they removed from this fish was 55lbs without any bone. The mouth was large enough to put my entire head in and probably powerful enough to crack it like a coconut. It had what appeared to be sandpaper on the top and these pointed dagger like devices on the lower jaw. It’s skin was so strong that it could be used as masonite on a skate ramp or really shoddy wall paper on a small trailer home destined for a roach infestation. Just look how big it is and remember that I’m 175lbs…

I just eat some for lunch and it was delicious, add “eat Junefish” to list of things to do.

In closing, I’m seeing an alarming number of couples here on Little Corn Island these days. I hope this place doesn’t turn into a “couples retreat” as that is code in the tourism industry for “really boring place to buy over priced seafood and dine by candle light on the beach” type scene. Also this example of “just doing something” and it leading to something cooler is a great reminder that you’re never going to sleep with a 200lbs fish if you dont’ get off your seat and jump around…

Photo credit: “Johnny da boi” from Hamburg.

Tips hat,

P.S: Went to the reggae bar last night, it was weak as usual but the stage is always set and only needs a spark… Also, stay tuned for more goliath grouper photos.

P.P.S: Happy Mother’s Day Mom –  LOVE YOU!!!