Marrakai
That long Tom is a beast - watch out for the teeth they always seem to get you somehow!
A nice little grouper too, certainly did the right thing letting that one go!
Nothing wrong with a fresh smaller sized queenfish! I didn't know the real big ones were still OK, thought the risk of ciguatera was too great?
Not surprised your mates preferred the fresh queenies over the barra & to upset the applecart here amongst us Aussies I'm going to agree also!
The barra is a spectacular fighter & is the king in freshwater; but all of the big pelagics are dynamite when hooked - would be a day long remembered!
As far as tastes go, there's nothing wrong with barra what-so ever, they do however last better in the freezer than virtually most other fish which is why they're big favourites over here with our closed season in Queensland.
And if anyone asks what is my favourite fish...the humble whiting!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand_whiting
cheers
93x64mm