Fish Identification

[asystole]

Was doing some spear fishing the other day along the South Carlsbad State campground and was on my way in. I was in about 8 feet of water, sandy bottom and noticed off to my left a rock about the size of a microwave oven. Sitting on the sand next to the rock was a very nice size fish. Taking a closer look I noticed it was a very large grouper, I would guess about 16 to 18 pounds. It was kind of a light cream color with tan colored circular markings. I just admired it and watched it watch me, didn't take a shot because I wasn't sure what it was and I thought it was pretty cool seeing a fish that large in the close to shore, maybe he was a resident.

When I got home I looked up some different fish online and the closest thing I could find was a Broom Tail Grouper. Does that make sense, could it be that is the fish I saw? Let me know what you think. Have never seen this type of fish in these waters before.