During the 1 1/2 hour sail, we dragged three lines, with different combinations of length, lure, and bait. Just as we were entering Hillsborough, we caught a feisty 25" barracuda on the line from the sea-fishing rod. We reeled it in with great excitement, getting tangled up with line, net, safety lines, etc. We got the fish tied to a line at the back, and (a first for us) we took the time to bleed the fish by severing its gill areas. Supposedly this gets rid of a lot of toxins and improves the flavour. Once we got control of this great silver-sided fighter, it seemed to us it was all-teeth.
As we got ready to anchor, we hauled in the other two lines, each on simple spools. One was set with a clothespin to hold the line, provide some buffer to the attacking fish, and provide an indicator of a fish-strike. Well, that was one strong clothespin, as something big took the lure and bait, breaking a steel leader. Boy, we'd like to know what it was.
Rather than fillet the little beast, I cleaned it, de-scaled it, beheaded it, detailed it (no decals), and cut it into steaks. The work was not easy, and a good, strong, serrated blade was required to cut the backbone. We got to see the size of the backbone later, as, after we cleared customs, we motored to a beautiful little spot behind Sandy Island, and pan-fried all of it. With a little butter, spice, and heat, the steaks flaked apart to reveal a backbone that was 5/8" at the thinnest area.
The taste was wonderful, and greatly complemented the couscous with pigeon peas and onions.
Sandy Island is a low, 1500 foot spit of sand and coral stones, about a mile out from Carriacou. The vegetation was somewhat trashed by the past hurricanes, but the locals have replanted it, and the palm trees, albeit short, add to the beauty. The water is crystal clear; the same beautiful blue that graces the Tobago Cays. We've enjoyed Monday night here alone, and will stay at least until Wednesday morning. As this is significantly clearer water than we will see in any harbours from here to and including Chaguaramas, we may find more excuses to stay. Snorkeling today provided us with a little turtle, a small sting ray, many types of surgeons and tangs, 20+ squid, and the most vibrant blue chromis we have seen so far. It isn't a safe anchorage, being somewhat exposed to the weather, but we'll be careful and will set the anchor alarm for overnight.
When we were here in 2006, we reported into a ham net, and had another sailor saying he knew the place, and the last time he was here, it was being used for a porno shoot or movie. I'll keep my eyes peeled.
