re: Big Catch

agree with the BS on the blindfolding unless he is fishing a "secret" reef or sunken platform/ship. The deal with these giant deepwater grouper is you get them up to a certain depth and the gases in them expand - pretty much turn the fish into a giant heavy arse ballon and floats to the surface. The first few minutes of the fight are pretty intense but once you get them up to a certain depth quick enough the battle is over. Not trying to minimize JJ's catch, just explain how you get a 300+lb grouper to the surface from 400 ft of water. Im not sure if he uses electric reels but i dont think he does - probably just cranking away on a 50w.

just to give you an idea about the exapansion of gas, check out the eyes on this one - imagine how hard it is for a fish to stay deep with a swim bladder filled to the brim with gas.