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At Ocean 82 and ? #295392
02/09/2023 08:33 AM
02/09/2023 08:33 AM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 226
Cincinnati
murphycpcu Offline OP
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murphycpcu  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 226
Cincinnati
Does anyone know what fish swim around about 10 feet from the beach at this place? The fish were at least 3 feet long and we could see about 5 of them at one time from our table that was ocean front.. They were large enough that I would be concerned about swimming out there while they are present.

Also noted their lobsters they display and prepare are much bigger than Skip Jacks or any other place we have ever been to on the island.

Over all another great SXM experience.

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Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: murphycpcu] #295393
02/09/2023 08:57 AM
02/09/2023 08:57 AM
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 112
sxm
E
enzosxm Offline
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enzosxm  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 112
sxm
If they were sort of still they could have been Barracudas

Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: murphycpcu] #295395
02/09/2023 09:14 AM
02/09/2023 09:14 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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boucharda  Offline
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Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
Tarpon are huge and usually swim in groups. More common in Simpson Bay Lagoon

Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: murphycpcu] #295397
02/09/2023 09:19 AM
02/09/2023 09:19 AM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 226
Cincinnati
murphycpcu Offline OP
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murphycpcu  Offline OP
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Posts: 226
Cincinnati
They seemed to be very pointy in the head and there was enough light to see how silver and rather gig they were. I assume they are not good for eating or someone would have an easy time catching them.

Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: murphycpcu] #295398
02/09/2023 09:40 AM
02/09/2023 09:40 AM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 687
Lake Texoma, Texas
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cruzer Offline
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cruzer  Offline
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 687
Lake Texoma, Texas
If you saw flashes of reflected light as they turned on their sides, they'd be tarpon, which is my guess, as I see them all the time in the night lights at GCBC.

Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: murphycpcu] #295399
02/09/2023 09:54 AM
02/09/2023 09:54 AM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 705
South Coast of MA
S
SXMBND Online content
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SXMBND  Online Content
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Posts: 705
South Coast of MA
Originally Posted by murphycpcu
They seemed to be very pointy in the head and there was enough light to see how silver and rather gig they were. I assume they are not good for eating or someone would have an easy time catching them.


Let's hope so.......

Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: SXMBND] #295400
02/09/2023 10:02 AM
02/09/2023 10:02 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
According to google "Tarpon is edible but people rarely eat them because their meat contains a lot of small bones and it's reported that they don't taste very good."


Carol Hill
Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: murphycpcu] #295401
02/09/2023 11:52 AM
02/09/2023 11:52 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,568
Auburn, WA
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Auburn, WA
"Also noted their lobsters they display and prepare are much bigger than Skip Jacks or any other place we have ever been to on the island."
The bigger they are the higher the price per lobster.

Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: murphycpcu] #295403
02/09/2023 12:10 PM
02/09/2023 12:10 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,496
Grenada
Zanshin Offline
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Zanshin  Offline
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Posts: 2,496
Grenada
I ate there a week or so back. The food was good, but as a wine aficionado I still salivate at these images:

[Linked Image][Linked Image][Linked Image]


[Linked Image]
Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: Zanshin] #295405
02/09/2023 12:15 PM
02/09/2023 12:15 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,568
Auburn, WA
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Auburn, WA
Need a well padded wallet for those. dine

Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: murphycpcu] #295406
02/09/2023 12:56 PM
02/09/2023 12:56 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,496
Grenada
Zanshin Offline
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Zanshin  Offline
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Posts: 2,496
Grenada
Naah, the '83 Petrus goes for a mere US$19,000 retail...
I spoke with a sous-chef there on Tuesday and asked if they just had one of the big ticket Grand-Cru wines but he said that they had 2-4 of most of them. That's a significant inventory investment! Were I rich and have a larcenous streak I'd rather hire a crew to get these than trying to steal artwork. You can't drink a Kandinsky or let it breathe smile


[Linked Image]
Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: murphycpcu] #295407
02/09/2023 12:58 PM
02/09/2023 12:58 PM
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 685
L
lcote Offline
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lcote  Offline
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Go see Sylvain at Select Wine Cellars Zanshin. He's a sommelier who knows his stuff!

Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: murphycpcu] #295409
02/09/2023 01:31 PM
02/09/2023 01:31 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,496
Grenada
Zanshin Offline
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Zanshin  Offline
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Posts: 2,496
Grenada
@Icote - I happen to be have my Sommelier certification. I did that years ago in Germany, at the wine university in Geisenheim. But I've never been to that store - I'll have to change that...

Last edited by Zanshin; 02/09/2023 01:33 PM.

[Linked Image]
Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: Zanshin] #295411
02/09/2023 01:54 PM
02/09/2023 01:54 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,297
CT
pony600 Offline
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pony600  Offline
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CT
Originally Posted by Zanshin
@Icote - I happen to be have my Sommelier certification. I did that years ago in Germany, at the wine university in Geisenheim. But I've never been to that store - I'll have to change that...


Yes, it is worth the trip. And stop next door at his restaurant as well- Champagne Bistro. You won't be disappointed! If your'e on Facebook, both Select Wine Cellar and the restaurant (Le Champagne SXM by Sylvain) have a page.

Last edited by pony600; 02/09/2023 02:00 PM.

[Linked Image]



If life hands you a lemon, just squeeze it on a lobster!
Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: murphycpcu] #295416
02/09/2023 02:51 PM
02/09/2023 02:51 PM
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 685
L
lcote Offline
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lcote  Offline
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Posts: 685
Sylvain is excellent. He knows our tastes so well. And he has never chosen us a bad wine! He is amazing.

Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: murphycpcu] #295417
02/09/2023 03:22 PM
02/09/2023 03:22 PM
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 112
sxm
E
enzosxm Offline
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 112
sxm
If they were pointy and silver 90% barracudas. The ones around SXM are not edible, not that Barravudas' meat is the finest, but bevause there is a very high chance that they can transmit Ciguatera, a fish food poisoning.

Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: murphycpcu] #295420
02/09/2023 04:43 PM
02/09/2023 04:43 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 76
J
johndana274 Offline
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johndana274  Offline
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Posts: 76
I remember a facebook video recently that the angler was fishing off Grand Case and caught a big Tarpon, reeled it in and then released. Same discussion there, the fish is to bony and not worth the effort to eat.

Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: murphycpcu] #295422
02/09/2023 05:37 PM
02/09/2023 05:37 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 685
Rhode Island
Bluesfan Offline
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Bluesfan  Offline
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Posts: 685
Rhode Island
I have never quite understood why a sport fishery for Tarpon has not been started in SXM. Isn't fly fishing for Tarpon considered a major challenge?

Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: murphycpcu] #295423
02/09/2023 05:43 PM
02/09/2023 05:43 PM
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 3
Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten
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CraigCNicholls Offline
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CraigCNicholls  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 3
Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten
While they could be any number of species, most likely they were either Tarpon or Barracuda. If it was around dusk, then most probably Tarpon. Neither Tarpon or Cuda are anything to be concerned about when swimming. Tarpon are absolutely timid and harmless and have no teeth. Barracuda have a reputation (undeservedly, IMHO) of being aggressive but I've been scuba diving and snorkeling around them and never had a concern. In fact, I head-butted a 4 foot Cuda once when diving off a boat of Creole Rock. He gave me an indignant look then swam off into the blue. The only concern with Cuda is they are attracted to bright, shiny things and may snap at something they perceive as 'prey'. They have some pretty fearsome-looking teeth and could do some damage if they latched on to you. Just respect the ocean and the creatures in it - it's their home and we're just visiting. If you go swimming, leave your 'bling' back on the beach or better yet, at home.

Cuda are not edible in these parts (generally 35 deg N to 35 deg S) due to the high risk of Ciguatera poisoning. Tarpon are generally not good eating, though some people use them for fish stew/soup. They have a lot of small bones and the meat is oily, besides, they will feed on garbage and often live in the most brackish water. Good to catch though! Great sport on light tackle as long as you can get them out in the open.

Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: CraigCNicholls] #295446
02/10/2023 09:51 AM
02/10/2023 09:51 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 179
East Tennessee
lhbsurf Offline
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Posts: 179
East Tennessee
We were there a couple of weeks ago and asked about the fish, they told us they were Tarpon and they swam by most every evening.


Laura
Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: murphycpcu] #295447
02/10/2023 10:05 AM
02/10/2023 10:05 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 412
Michigan
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cacapasa Offline
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Posts: 412
Michigan
Tarpon used to congregate in Simpson Bay behind the former location of Lee's Roadside Grill. Customers would feed them french fries and other leftovers, just to watch the commotion the fish made grabbing the treats. It was part of the entertainment there, but I don't think Lee had them under contract and he had to leave them behind when he was forced to move up Billy Folly Road!

Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: cacapasa] #295458
02/10/2023 11:34 AM
02/10/2023 11:34 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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GaKaye  Offline
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Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
I believe tarpon were also the fish that were at Turtle Pier. Definitely fun to feed them.

Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: murphycpcu] #295463
02/10/2023 11:56 AM
02/10/2023 11:56 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,568
Auburn, WA
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Auburn, WA
Yes. The Tarpon can be found all along the piers and walkways along Simpson Bay Lagoon.

Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: murphycpcu] #295472
02/10/2023 03:10 PM
02/10/2023 03:10 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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pat  Offline
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Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
Back when Uncle Harry’s was still there the tarpon used to put on quite a show every evening. They seemed to be attracted to the lights and if any foods happened to fall in the water, the feeding frenzy was a sight to behold.

I also was told many years ago they weren’t particularly good eating - way too boney to enjoy. 🙂🙂


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: CraigCNicholls] #295474
02/10/2023 03:19 PM
02/10/2023 03:19 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 833
Harriston
megamania Offline
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megamania  Offline
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Posts: 833
Harriston
Not a fan of barracuda.....but I am a bit iffy on most type of fish etc swimming around me, lol....sorry I jsut am.....When we were out on a day trip,,,some got off to snorkel.....of course big chicken me stayed on board.....and the snorklers were feeding the fish,,,,one barracuda actually nipped a guys ear and drew blood....not sure exactly why or how,,,but boy was i glad I stayed on the boat!


Randy and Meg Young
Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: megamania] #295498
02/11/2023 01:36 AM
02/11/2023 01:36 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,568
Auburn, WA
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Auburn, WA
While Scuba diving my dive buddy had a shinny ring around his mask lens. Barracuda grabbed the mask off his face. Let go instantly but gave my buddy a pi××ing moment. Been around Tarpon diving many times. They are quite docile.

Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: murphycpcu] #295505
02/11/2023 07:45 AM
02/11/2023 07:45 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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boucharda  Offline
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Massachusetts
There are plenty of Tarpon at the dock behind Naked Pirate Rum Bar....probably the ones from Lee's move down a bit....and when they had lights facing the water below the drawbridge there were MANY of them swimming below

Re: At Ocean 82 and ? [Re: GaKaye] #295515
02/11/2023 09:33 AM
02/11/2023 09:33 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 568
Bucks County, PA
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snuba Offline
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Bucks County, PA
There was a lot of them at the Turtle Pier, big ones too. Used to throw some food to them, sure was fun to watch. Miss that place....


Life is short, travel the World.

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