You had asked for some feedback a couple of weeks ago and I didn't know what to say. However, watching this I can say that this is my favorite of all of the types of videos you make. I enjoy when you dive the shallow spots and explore the mangroves. They're all fun, but I like these best. I had never heard of the slipper lobster before. I always learn something. Excellent work! Keep up the great adventures!
Several years ago I worked at a 4star restaurant, we did sell lobster for specials , but did have slipper lobsters to serve with steak. They were tasty and less expensive for sea food.
As always, I so appreciate you taking us along on your adventures. I have to say, as an old gal born and raised in Belfast Nr Ireland and who immigrated to Canada - you make me miss the beautiful south - mostly the people. I did own a condo on the Mississippi Gulf Coast but lost it like so many others due to Katrina. I fished as a child in the freezing Irish Sea and so enjoyed fishing the beautiful warm waters of the Gulf. Again thank you Aaron and your beautiful wife for making my day just that little bit brighter! 🙏
Started spear fishing about 3 months ago, I would love if you did a short segment on how you decompress on the way down and just some of the basics most people forget or look over.
Hey man any tips on how to gauge the amount of weight I should have on me while free diving. Like after a certain depth will I begin to free fall or do you always have to kick all the way down
its different for everyone depending on your build. but I like to barely still float at the surface when I exhale. just in case of a black out. but thats just my opinion. a lot of people like to sink on the way down. I'd rather work down and float back up. you should become negatively buoyant around 30 ft if you are weighted properly. but there are also exceptions. if I'm diving really shallow I will wear extra weight so I can work on the bottom without fighting the buoyancy.
Back before "Andrew", as you left Homestead. Located on the east side of U.S 1 was Green Turtle smoked fish store. Whatever happened to it? Do you ever smoke seafood?
@keywestwaterman, Thanks for sharing cool vidz! While diving, as you've encountered sharks, what about crocs?! Are you worried about crocs? How deep is the water around those mangrove islands like @ 19:60?? Explore that mangrove island underwater cave with a group of ppl plz, safety 1st !! Congrats to your Brother!
They see you. They are everywhere if you know how to spot them sunning. Go into that same mangrove area at night and shine a spot light around in the water and mangroves. Their eyes reflect red . I see em all the time in North Biscayne Bay. They aren't like alligators, scared of people. Salt water crocodile s are very aggressive and humans are part of their food chain
Man I've been waiting to see a shark in these mangrove videos hahaha! just confirms my irrational fear of mangrove swimming maybe isn't so irrational 😂😂
Hi Arron ....... I live in Titusville, not too far from the Gehnoe (sp) plant ..... My Step Daughter and her husband ( Misty and Rudy Bronson ) remember you and your brother from way back, I show them your videos and they get a kick out of em etc ..... Perhaps you remember them = anyway = they are proud of you etc, etc, etc ....! ! ! ! ! !
Drysuit or wetsuit for this kind of activity, Aaron? I've never had either, but I do similar activities here in southeastern NC, rivers, creeks, blackwater swamps looking for fossils and fish.
@@KeyWestWaterman we had a run in up north in elliot key diving the mangroves last month with a 10-12ft croc. it seemed to be actively hunting my buddy down, we had to let go of the anchor and haul ass to get him. Chased him down for a good 20 seconds luckily he was able to fight it off with his spear . Ruined mangrove spearfishing for me.
You mentioned doing something on Sept. 26th ? I just wanted to make sure you were aware of a Tropical Storm Helene brewing in the Caribean projected to comeuppance the west coast of Florida around that time???
Might be a dumb question but aren't there any gators in these Mangroves? Because if it does, don't you think you are kind of trapped there? Nice video as always. Thanks
Appreciate all your videos. My 3 year old watches with me. He made me buy a PawPatrol fishing rod and he sets up pillows on the couch, says he’s driving his boat and casts with you when you’re using rods. Can’t wait to get back to Florida and on a boat!
Safety question. Is there a reason why you don't wear an inflatable with the kill switch attached? Standing up front running shallow water. Seems like something so easy to do to mitigate risk since your alone many of times.
It’s a Spanish slipper. I’ve caught several around American shoals. Just did a trip to Miami earlier this year and got 6 in one day. We get the ridged slippers in the gulf but never found a Spanish on the Gulf side.
@@KeyWestWaterman I’ve caught rigid slippers on both the gulf and the Atlantic but it seems like South Florida only has the Spanish and every now and then you see someone pull a sculpture slipper. I’ve never caught one of those, but I’ve mounted a couple. Those are the three shallow water species of slipper we have. I’ve heard there’s a couple more deep water that the shrimp trawlers pull up, but I know nothing about them.
Is there a reason that you always pull the bands in that order; outher one than the interior one? I do the oposite, and honestly, don't think I have seen annyone doing the way you do it Greeting from Brazil
yes, the bands lay more flat on my guns if you load them that way. This gun doesn't do it as well because the bands swap places sometimes when you load one. they share a band slot and are smaller diameter bands. but typically it makes the bands lay more flat, its an OCD thing.
Always time well spent. It amazes me that even bad weather coming into Florida looks beautiful. Wishing you and Madeleine safe travels. Have an epic week!
The old legend is true. Florida men are crazy and look normal doing crazy things. Impressive video again bro. Only today I realized that I was not already subscribed. I am now though
Absolutely enjoy the shallow/back-bay experience👍 Question: Several small to medium sized Goliath's were abundant. What is your opinion regarding impact on that local fishery? Do the Goliath's reduce the impact on the larger sized snappers. Only very small snappers were observed and perhaps they are more agile and get away???
Hey Aaron, We live in coastal SC and after watching a zillion of your videos my kids and I want to start spearfishing (And lobstering). Can you make some general recommendations on getting kids (10-12) into the sport and what parts of Florida would make some good trips for us (we have a 25' and 18' cc) Looking forward to the live stream!!!
22:15 Florida is cool. Im 4th generation native. Shame whats going on now. I live in the Indian river ,St. Lucie river area and really miss what was taken by developers. If you like mangroves, go to Chokoloskee .
My fiancé and I have enjoyed watching your show for a few years now. Always fun and informative. We are actually thinking about moving to the Keys one of these days! For the Thursday question and answer mine is do you have to worry about Saltys or Alligator while out exploring? Thanks again Aaron! 😎🎣
Question for your Q&A: do you know how native americans utilized freshwater springs? How were they able to "isolate" freshwater? Did they perhaps build a structure around springs?
As an avid fan who'd like to see continued content, I hope you go back to the spring with bottles (could be a new series... Florida Keys Springs). My brother and I used to dive the FL springs... Blue Springs was a vertical shaft that bottomed at 139' (we'd hug rocks on the way down to increase our bottom time). If you reached through the tangled mess at the bottom you could touch the incredible lateral current of the horizontal shaft below. The cavern at the end of the Ponce de Leon cave was only 75' deep, but it was about 350' laterally from the 3' diameter entry at the bottom of the swimming hole. The passages that led away from the cavern intersected lateral currents that would suck you into the river network that flows under Florida. There are dozens of divers there for eternity. IMHO, bottles would be safer and they'd allow time for better content.
I love watching you poke around in the mangroves exploring, if I lived down there I think I would definitely get lost back in them a lot! A whole new world I wouldn't have expected if not for your video's! Thanks for taking us along, again!!! Congrats & Good luck to your brother and sister-in-law! Here's a question for the live event: do you find that your shots that hit into harder things beyond the fish dull your spear points? If so, how do you sharpen them? Up here in Mass and Rhode Island the reefs are rock and there are days when my tips round off a bit and need a tune up.
Beautiful spots. I think when fish get pinned against the bottom and do that high frequency flop, it really brings in sharks. I had the same thing happen to me in Oregon spearfishing off of the Newport Jetty. I shot a rockfish near the bottom (25 ft) and it did the same rapid flop. About 2 minutes later a 6 foot shark buzzed me while I was breathing up. Probably a salmon shark coming to investigate.
It’s funny how you said you’d be doing a Q&A from some of the questions from this video so as I’m watching I’m thinking of what I wanted to ask, first was, how did you get over the fear of a shark coming up or something of that nature that could hurt you, I’ve never seen you encounter a shark, and then all of a sudden this video it happens. Crazy how that works lol. I’ve been wanting to get into this and I’m nervous about that aspect. So how do you over come that and what’s to make you feel confident knowing they are around, especially on your open water dives when going for wahoo. Second question would be, Im assuming that naturally a small fish has been shot somewhere along the line of your career or someone else’s, how do people approach that situation. I don’t want to shoot a short for obvious reasons but I also understand stuff happens. Thanks again. Love the content it really has inspired me in many ways. One being that I’ve been a heavy smoker for a long time and watching your videos for so long has inspired me to quit to pursue spear fishing. I have a LONG way to go, I can barely hold my breath for 30 seconds, but I’m excited for this next chapter and also excited for your beginner videos on breathing and what not. Thanks man 💪🏼💪🏼 I’m hoping to make it to the live if not I’ll for sure watch the play back.
I really like these videos and appreciate all the work that goes into them however as a rescue diver, I would strongly caution the folks at home watching this video from entering overhead environments without proper training, equipment, and a back up person with the same equipment & training to spot you. Even though it appears that there’s only penetration of 10-15 feet you should not go into those environments without a tank and a back up tank nearby and a dive buddy - it’s that dangerous. not even a for a quick look. The author of the video is experienced and he manages his own risk tolerance profile. I am attempting to discourage those without similar levels of training experience for attempting these maneuvers.
I really like these videos and appreciate all the work that goes into them however as a rescue diver, I would strongly caution the folks at home watching this video from entering overhead environments without proper training, equipment, and a back up person with the same equipment & training to spot you. Even though it appears that there’s only penetration of 10-15 feet you should not go into those environments without a tank and a back up tank nearby and a dive buddy - it’s that dangerous. not even a for a quick look. The author of the video is experienced and he manages his own risk tolerance profile. I am attempting to discourage those without similar levels of training experience for attempting these maneuvers.
Nice video, quick question I was told that I need to stay 500 yards from the mangrove. Usually I stay near key largo what can you tell me about that? Thank you.
Hey Aaron question for your Q&A. I know you dive so often that you probably don’t train much for freediving nowadays. When you started did you do any training to help increase your breath hold/bottom time and how did you get more comfortable with pressure on your deeper dives?
Do you think it’s possible to move down to the keys and live comfortably as a marine mechanic? I’m in central Florida currently and it’s been a dream to move there one day, but if you think it is possible what islands do you think would be the best for work/house pricing. Love the videos keep killing it 🤙🏼
at 16:16, while you're diving the cave, the center of the screen, your light is reflecting off an eyeball. Clearly, you swam before an aquatic-squatch.
Question. What would have your reaction been if that small shark would have been of substantial size? Would you protect your catch swimming back to the boat or pull back and avoid a full interaction with a respectable size shark?
You should reach out to the cave divers with the Karst Underwater Research or the Woodville Karst Plain Project. Both are exploration groups (with years of cave exploration experience) that would love to check out those springs with you.
Love your videos KWW I do have a pre question for your Q&A. How does someone learn to equalize as they dive I’ve been trying to learn and just can’t do it. I can kinda do it when descending on a plane but I have never been able to successfully do it under water. So I guess do you have any tips to make it feel more natural? bc I feel like I really have to try when I attempt to do it
That is just wild how fresh water is seeping out of there. There's places like that in Yucatan. Appreciate how you make an effort to harvest fish that you may have injured, a lot of people wouldn't have bothered. I hit a hogfish in the Abacos once that still bothers me to this day that I wasn't able to get. Cool slipper lobster!
How is it possible to have a video make MY heart start racing when you went into that spring hole?? But I gotta admit…. I felt like it was me in that spring. Great work taking us on the journey in this video. Don’t let Madeline see how far you went solo.😂
First I want to say thank you for the great videos, my question for your Thursday live q&A is when you find great spots how do you save them I assume you use coordinates but if you could use Google maps would that work or is there some other technology? You need all info be great and look forward to hearing your q&A on Thursday thanks Aaron
With the population of the American crocodile growing in southern Florida have you had any run-in or experiences diving in the Mose with the American crocodile?
I can’t believe fish can do that. It’s full blown matrix bullet dodging. I see it as not twitching when you pull the trigger but actually actively dodging the incoming shaft. It sorta sways me away from going for head shots tbh although it often seems bigger fish can’t react that fast. I’m really not sure.
Ever see an alligator up in those mangroves? With the amount of subscribers you have, you really should have some kind of merch... Is there a reason you don't?
Amazing fishing a lot of nice snappers boy I can't wait to get back to Florida I like to go down there and fish all the time especially the keys the first key Islamorada every once in a while I go to aisle marker 20 nice job Aaron have fun at your family and congratulations also
When you swim from the salt into the (presumably fresh) water, does it get "blurry" ? When I dove in Hawaii near the shore the fresh water aquafer would flow out into the ocean and it would be cold and instantly blurry when it mixed with the warm salt water.
Searching for that spring of cold water, made me think of the Story from the Bible where Jesus and a woman are by the well, brotha ur searching for the Truth God is calling you ❤
I would like you to try something for me if you can or maybe you already have. Have you tried to bottle or capture any fresh water from those springs that you have found. That would be a cool way to get a cold drink of fresh water without bringing it. Of course you should have it tested before drinking it.
Super cool video! If you are interested I’d love to check it out with you some time. I am a cave diver and apart of the Karst Underwater Research organization. I have a lot of experience diving caves like this in Florida and the Bahamas. I’d always been curious about caves in the keys, the geology is almost identical to that in the Bahamas with the ooid limestone banks. I can’t say for certain as Iv never dived any caves in the Keys, but I’d estimate that cave may spring and siphon depending on the tides. Bahamian caves in the mangroves sometimes siphon with a whirlpool as the tide falls then spring when it rises again. Super cool find, let me know if I could ever join!
My wife and I snorkel in Caribbean and Florida and really wanna pick up spear fishing any suggestions on how to start adventuring a new hobby like this?
The fish definitely turned after the shaft was released. It’s amazing. Really. It makes me wonder how any of us can catch fish they are so amazingly fast
Do you run into crocs that far south in the keys in the mangroves? I had a buddy that lived up in islamorada in plantation key and there were several crocs in his neighborhood and we used to dive Barnes sound a lot and was always told to stay away from the mangroves due to crocs.
You had asked for some feedback a couple of weeks ago and I didn't know what to say. However, watching this I can say that this is my favorite of all of the types of videos you make. I enjoy when you dive the shallow spots and explore the mangroves. They're all fun, but I like these best. I had never heard of the slipper lobster before. I always learn something.
Excellent work! Keep up the great adventures!
amazing! thanks so much, very helpful. Love to hear what it is yall like most! 🙏
Several years ago I worked at a 4star restaurant, we did sell lobster for specials , but did have slipper lobsters to serve with steak. They were tasty and less expensive for sea food.
Wondering if you'd ever thought of doing a collab vid or two with Nick Stanzyck? I think would be cool.
Actually just must him and Sarah a few weeks ago by chance. maybe one day we can put something together.
It would be cool to fly a drone over those spots to see if it opens up back there.
First! Haha yes
haha nailed it!
what is the best time to come spear wahoo in the keys
haha yikes!
As always, I so appreciate you taking us along on your adventures. I have to say, as an old gal born and raised in Belfast Nr Ireland and who immigrated to Canada - you make me miss the beautiful south - mostly the people. I did own a condo on the Mississippi Gulf Coast but lost it like so many others due to Katrina. I fished as a child in the freezing Irish Sea and so enjoyed fishing the beautiful warm waters of the Gulf. Again thank you Aaron and your beautiful wife for making my day just that little bit brighter! 🙏
hate to hear that, but love to hear the videos bring you some joy! thanks so much 🙏
Man, hard to have bad days when you have an aquarium in paradise for a backyard man. Really cool.
Thanks for watching!
@@KeyWestWatermanwouldnt miss it. Part of my monday routine now, lol.
Definitely make a video if you go back to the spring cave!
absolutely!
Started spear fishing about 3 months ago, I would love if you did a short segment on how you decompress on the way down and just some of the basics most people forget or look over.
working on stuff like that for the spearfishing for beginners playlist! will get to it in time!
Thank you!
@@KeyWestWatermanyeah please!!! Ive always wanted to know.
Thanks for the bottle clean up ... I'm a California boy and truly appreciate nature and people who do to. Thank you
@@KeyWestWatermancan’t wait for this
It's always a good feeling being under the water.
surely is
WOW what a wild shot just giving it a grazing hit. It was really cool that you were able to find it and harvest it.
yea I couldn't believe that one!
Thank you for the Mangrove video. I was missing these. These are why I subscribed. Appreciate it.
absolutely! thanks for coming along
Removal of the bottles you came upon is just one more reason why I like your style. Thank you
🙏
Classy this man is
Long nose or sharp nose spider crab
Actually could be the portly spider crab
you sure?
@@KeyWestWatermannope! There are over 200 species, so if I just start naming the 198 others… we’ll hit it eventually
Your mangrove videos make you feel like you are a kid exploring a new dark place’s, always fun
haha thats how I feel!
Hey man any tips on how to gauge the amount of weight I should have on me while free diving. Like after a certain depth will I begin to free fall or do you always have to kick all the way down
its different for everyone depending on your build. but I like to barely still float at the surface when I exhale. just in case of a black out. but thats just my opinion. a lot of people like to sink on the way down. I'd rather work down and float back up. you should become negatively buoyant around 30 ft if you are weighted properly. but there are also exceptions. if I'm diving really shallow I will wear extra weight so I can work on the bottom without fighting the buoyancy.
Always appreciate the time you give us each new episode, thanks for creating great content!
Gladly! thanks so much for tuning in.
How is there a freshwater spring in the keys, this needs to be studied or something
apparently its not that uncommon. there are a few larger ones offshore but I've never been
Back before "Andrew", as you left Homestead. Located on the east side of U.S
1 was Green Turtle smoked fish store. Whatever happened to it? Do you ever smoke seafood?
@keywestwaterman, Thanks for sharing cool vidz! While diving, as you've encountered sharks, what about crocs?! Are you worried about crocs? How deep is the water around those mangrove islands like @ 19:60?? Explore that mangrove island underwater cave with a group of ppl plz, safety 1st !! Congrats to your Brother!
Really cool. Noticed not much fish life near that spring. Good indicator to me that its super fresh
A 15 ft 900lb salt water crocodile is gonna get you one day in them mangroves buddy .. they are very tactical, ambush apex predators
Weird. Been here 10 years and have never seen one.
They see you. They are everywhere if you know how to spot them sunning. Go into that same mangrove area at night and shine a spot light around in the water and mangroves. Their eyes reflect red . I see em all the time in North Biscayne Bay. They aren't like alligators, scared of people. Salt water crocodile s are very aggressive and humans are part of their food chain
Have you ever looked into getting a 360 camera on some deeper stuff the perspective would be sick!
Man I've been waiting to see a shark in these mangrove videos hahaha! just confirms my irrational fear of mangrove swimming maybe isn't so irrational 😂😂
I’m more worried about the crocodiles 😂😬
Hi Arron ....... I live in Titusville, not too far from the Gehnoe (sp) plant ..... My Step Daughter and her husband ( Misty and Rudy Bronson ) remember you and your brother from way back, I show them your videos and they get a kick out of em etc ..... Perhaps you remember them = anyway = they are proud of you etc, etc, etc ....! ! ! ! ! !
hello! that is too funny, love it! I'm so bad with names I'm a face guy. tell them thanks so much
Sick video! Love the content! I loved doing this type of hunting while I was down there!
love to hear it!
I like seeing the new fish and lobsters,super cool...Thank You!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Be Safe While the Hurricane 🌀 is INBOUND
Drysuit or wetsuit for this kind of activity, Aaron? I've never had either, but I do similar activities here in southeastern NC, rivers, creeks, blackwater swamps looking for fossils and fish.
never worn a dry suit. only wetsuits
Ever run into a croc out there?
almost never in the lower keys. farther north you go you start to see them.
@@KeyWestWaterman we had a run in up north in elliot key diving the mangroves last month with a 10-12ft croc. it seemed to be actively hunting my buddy down, we had to let go of the anchor and haul ass to get him. Chased him down for a good 20 seconds luckily he was able to fight it off with his spear . Ruined mangrove spearfishing for me.
You mentioned doing something on Sept. 26th ? I just wanted to make sure you were aware of a Tropical Storm Helene brewing in the Caribean projected to comeuppance the west coast of Florida around that time???
Yup!
I’m assuming it’s a natural spring of some sort. How cool to see inshore and hope you go back and go deeper in!
gotta be! I will be back!
Might be a dumb question but aren't there any gators in these Mangroves? Because if it does, don't you think you are kind of trapped there? Nice video as always. Thanks
I've never seen one diving this far south, the farther north you go you'll start to see some crocs.
Appreciate all your videos. My 3 year old watches with me. He made me buy a PawPatrol fishing rod and he sets up pillows on the couch, says he’s driving his boat and casts with you when you’re using rods. Can’t wait to get back to Florida and on a boat!
Safety question. Is there a reason why you don't wear an inflatable with the kill switch attached? Standing up front running shallow water. Seems like something so easy to do to mitigate risk since your alone many of times.
I wear a kill switch everytime. I never run anywhere i could run aground. I know the area pretty well.
It’s a Spanish slipper. I’ve caught several around American shoals. Just did a trip to Miami earlier this year and got 6 in one day. We get the ridged slippers in the gulf but never found a Spanish on the Gulf side.
Good to know. Thought there was only one. That’s the only kinda I’ve caught down here
@@KeyWestWaterman I’ve caught rigid slippers on both the gulf and the Atlantic but it seems like South Florida only has the Spanish and every now and then you see someone pull a sculpture slipper. I’ve never caught one of those, but I’ve mounted a couple. Those are the three shallow water species of slipper we have. I’ve heard there’s a couple more deep water that the shrimp trawlers pull up, but I know nothing about them.
Is there a reason that you always pull the bands in that order; outher one than the interior one?
I do the oposite, and honestly, don't think I have seen annyone doing the way you do it
Greeting from Brazil
yes, the bands lay more flat on my guns if you load them that way. This gun doesn't do it as well because the bands swap places sometimes when you load one. they share a band slot and are smaller diameter bands. but typically it makes the bands lay more flat, its an OCD thing.
@@KeyWestWaterman I'm gonna try it next time and see what it does on mine. Thank you
The first time I experienced Halocline I thought I was having a seizure !
haha Yikes!
Would you ever be interested in a crowd funded collaboration with another spearfishing RUclipsr on the west coast or Hawaii
I could never let others "fund" my adventures, I hope to travel more soon and hopefully meet up with some other RUclipsrs if it's a good fit.
Always time well spent. It amazes me that even bad weather coming into Florida looks beautiful. Wishing you and Madeleine safe travels. Have an epic week!
Awesome video as always!! The weird lobster you found was really cool! Thanks for sharing that with us!
absolutely!
Would LOVE to see an exploration video of that cave from you!
def will be going back!
Make another video before storm comes!!
haha
My question would be did guiding ever get annoying/ ruin the fun of fishing/the water for you?
I will add it to the list!
The old legend is true. Florida men are crazy and look normal doing crazy things. Impressive video again bro. Only today I realized that I was not already subscribed. I am now though
Hey how can I purchase a speargun like the one u got with the pink bands on it?
This is that model I was using. I changed the bands out for my wife. Comes with black bands. keywestwaterman.myshopify.com/products/koah-90-cm-euro
Super awesome vid!!!!! Springs are the best catch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats on the find!!!
👍
thanks for tuning in!
Absolutely enjoy the shallow/back-bay experience👍 Question: Several small to medium sized Goliath's were abundant. What is your opinion regarding impact on that local fishery? Do the Goliath's reduce the impact on the larger sized snappers. Only very small snappers were observed and perhaps they are more agile and get away???
Hey Aaron,
We live in coastal SC and after watching a zillion of your videos my kids and I want to start spearfishing (And lobstering). Can you make some general recommendations on getting kids (10-12) into the sport and what parts of Florida would make some good trips for us (we have a 25' and 18' cc)
Looking forward to the live stream!!!
22:15 Florida is cool. Im 4th generation native. Shame whats going on now. I live in the Indian river ,St. Lucie river area and really miss what was taken by developers. If you like mangroves, go to Chokoloskee .
My fiancé and I have enjoyed watching your show for a few years now. Always fun and informative. We are actually thinking about moving to the Keys one of these days! For the Thursday question and answer mine is do you have to worry about Saltys or Alligator while out exploring? Thanks again Aaron! 😎🎣
Question for your Q&A: do you know how native americans utilized freshwater springs? How were they able to "isolate" freshwater? Did they perhaps build a structure around springs?
As an avid fan who'd like to see continued content, I hope you go back to the spring with bottles (could be a new series... Florida Keys Springs). My brother and I used to dive the FL springs... Blue Springs was a vertical shaft that bottomed at 139' (we'd hug rocks on the way down to increase our bottom time). If you reached through the tangled mess at the bottom you could touch the incredible lateral current of the horizontal shaft below. The cavern at the end of the Ponce de Leon cave was only 75' deep, but it was about 350' laterally from the 3' diameter entry at the bottom of the swimming hole. The passages that led away from the cavern intersected lateral currents that would suck you into the river network that flows under Florida. There are dozens of divers there for eternity. IMHO, bottles would be safer and they'd allow time for better content.
I love watching you poke around in the mangroves exploring, if I lived down there I think I would definitely get lost back in them a lot! A whole new world I wouldn't have expected if not for your video's! Thanks for taking us along, again!!! Congrats & Good luck to your brother and sister-in-law!
Here's a question for the live event: do you find that your shots that hit into harder things beyond the fish dull your spear points? If so, how do you sharpen them? Up here in Mass and Rhode Island the reefs are rock and there are days when my tips round off a bit and need a tune up.
Beautiful spots. I think when fish get pinned against the bottom and do that high frequency flop, it really brings in sharks. I had the same thing happen to me in Oregon spearfishing off of the Newport Jetty. I shot a rockfish near the bottom (25 ft) and it did the same rapid flop. About 2 minutes later a 6 foot shark buzzed me while I was breathing up. Probably a salmon shark coming to investigate.
good deal !!
I’ve always been curious are these channels in the mangrove natural or are they man-made? Great video by the way Aaron.
most of them are natural, heavy currents cut out at the bottom and the islands like water through the grand canyon.
@@KeyWestWaterman hi so appreciate that you still take the time to respond to people. It’s got to be really hard to do.
It’s funny how you said you’d be doing a Q&A from some of the questions from this video so as I’m watching I’m thinking of what I wanted to ask, first was, how did you get over the fear of a shark coming up or something of that nature that could hurt you, I’ve never seen you encounter a shark, and then all of a sudden this video it happens. Crazy how that works lol. I’ve been wanting to get into this and I’m nervous about that aspect. So how do you over come that and what’s to make you feel confident knowing they are around, especially on your open water dives when going for wahoo. Second question would be, Im assuming that naturally a small fish has been shot somewhere along the line of your career or someone else’s, how do people approach that situation. I don’t want to shoot a short for obvious reasons but I also understand stuff happens. Thanks again. Love the content it really has inspired me in many ways. One being that I’ve been a heavy smoker for a long time and watching your videos for so long has inspired me to quit to pursue spear fishing. I have a LONG way to go, I can barely hold my breath for 30 seconds, but I’m excited for this next chapter and also excited for your beginner videos on breathing and what not. Thanks man 💪🏼💪🏼 I’m hoping to make it to the live if not I’ll for sure watch the play back.
A true south Floridan. Thanks for picking up the beer bottles those animal left behind>
I really like these videos and appreciate all the work that goes into them however as a rescue diver, I would strongly caution the folks at home watching this video from entering overhead environments without proper training, equipment, and a back up person with the same equipment & training to spot you. Even though it appears that there’s only penetration of 10-15 feet you should not go into those environments without a tank and a back up tank nearby and a dive buddy - it’s that dangerous. not even a for a quick look. The author of the video is experienced and he manages his own risk tolerance profile. I am attempting to discourage those without similar levels of training experience for attempting these maneuvers.
I really like these videos and appreciate all the work that goes into them however as a rescue diver, I would strongly caution the folks at home watching this video from entering overhead environments without proper training, equipment, and a back up person with the same equipment & training to spot you. Even though it appears that there’s only penetration of 10-15 feet you should not go into those environments without a tank and a back up tank nearby and a dive buddy - it’s that dangerous. not even a for a quick look. The author of the video is experienced and he manages his own risk tolerance profile. I am attempting to discourage those without similar levels of training experience for attempting these maneuvers.
Nice video, quick question I was told that I need to stay 500 yards from the mangrove. Usually I stay near key largo what can you tell me about that? Thank you.
Hey Aaron question for your Q&A. I know you dive so often that you probably don’t train much for freediving nowadays. When you started did you do any training to help increase your breath hold/bottom time and how did you get more comfortable with pressure on your deeper dives?
do you apply for a goliath tag every year? if you dont have you ever eaten one?
No, waste of money. Black grouper taste way better and is free
Do you think it’s possible to move down to the keys and live comfortably as a marine mechanic? I’m in central Florida currently and it’s been a dream to move there one day, but if you think it is possible what islands do you think would be the best for work/house pricing. Love the videos keep killing it 🤙🏼
at 16:16, while you're diving the cave, the center of the screen, your light is reflecting off an eyeball. Clearly, you swam before an aquatic-squatch.
Question. What would have your reaction been if that small shark would have been of substantial size? Would you protect your catch swimming back to the boat or pull back and avoid a full interaction with a respectable size shark?
You should reach out to the cave divers with the Karst Underwater Research or the Woodville Karst Plain Project. Both are exploration groups (with years of cave exploration experience) that would love to check out those springs with you.
Love your videos KWW I do have a pre question for your Q&A. How does someone learn to equalize as they dive I’ve been trying to learn and just can’t do it. I can kinda do it when descending on a plane but I have never been able to successfully do it under water. So I guess do you have any tips to make it feel more natural? bc I feel like I really have to try when I attempt to do it
That is just wild how fresh water is seeping out of there. There's places like that in Yucatan. Appreciate how you make an effort to harvest fish that you may have injured, a lot of people wouldn't have bothered. I hit a hogfish in the Abacos once that still bothers me to this day that I wasn't able to get. Cool slipper lobster!
How is it possible to have a video make MY heart start racing when you went into that spring hole?? But I gotta admit…. I felt like it was me in that spring. Great work taking us on the journey in this video. Don’t let Madeline see how far you went solo.😂
First I want to say thank you for the great videos, my question for your Thursday live q&A is when you find great spots how do you save them I assume you use coordinates but if you could use Google maps would that work or is there some other technology? You need all info be great and look forward to hearing your q&A on Thursday thanks Aaron
With the population of the American crocodile growing in southern Florida have you had any run-in or experiences diving in the Mose with the American crocodile?
I can’t believe fish can do that. It’s full blown matrix bullet dodging. I see it as not twitching when you pull the trigger but actually actively dodging the incoming shaft. It sorta sways me away from going for head shots tbh although it often seems bigger fish can’t react that fast. I’m really not sure.
Question for Q&A: if someone wanted to book a charter to do exactly what you did in this video, shallow water mangrove spearfishing, would you do it?
Hey man Question?
what is your favorite type of fishing, rod n reel/ spear?
and whats your favorite species and why?
thanks man!
Ever see an alligator up in those mangroves? With the amount of subscribers you have, you really should have some kind of merch... Is there a reason you don't?
Thanks again for the fun you are giving me.
absolutely!
Amazing fishing a lot of nice snappers boy I can't wait to get back to Florida I like to go down there and fish all the time especially the keys the first key Islamorada every once in a while I go to aisle marker 20 nice job Aaron have fun at your family and congratulations also
When you swim from the salt into the (presumably fresh) water, does it get "blurry" ? When I dove in Hawaii near the shore the fresh water aquafer would flow out into the ocean and it would be cold and instantly blurry when it mixed with the warm salt water.
Searching for that spring of cold water, made me think of the Story from the Bible where Jesus and a woman are by the well, brotha ur searching for the Truth God is calling you ❤
I would like you to try something for me if you can or maybe you already have. Have you tried to bottle or capture any fresh water from those springs that you have found. That would be a cool way to get a cold drink of fresh water without bringing it. Of course you should have it tested before drinking it.
Do you play any video games if so what do you play?
I do not
Quick question. Really like his videos. Does it effect his account if if watch the whole ad vs skip it when the skip button pops up after 5 seconds??
Super cool video! If you are interested I’d love to check it out with you some time. I am a cave diver and apart of the Karst Underwater Research organization. I have a lot of experience diving caves like this in Florida and the Bahamas. I’d always been curious about caves in the keys, the geology is almost identical to that in the Bahamas with the ooid limestone banks. I can’t say for certain as Iv never dived any caves in the Keys, but I’d estimate that cave may spring and siphon depending on the tides. Bahamian caves in the mangroves sometimes siphon with a whirlpool as the tide falls then spring when it rises again. Super cool find, let me know if I could ever join!
Q&A: What are the certifications and qualifications that are necessary and/or recommended to get into the charter / spearfishing guide business?
My wife and I snorkel in Caribbean and Florida and really wanna pick up spear fishing any suggestions on how to start adventuring a new hobby like this?
This is much more interesting than the police chase videos I normally watch!
I'd be petrified in those caves!
I always like mangrove videos. That cave would have been pretty creepy. Thanks for sharing
Honestly though, how many baby Goliaths have you just absolutely smoked off camera. 😂
your drive back home sucks? 6-7 hours ?
haha yea something like that.
The fish definitely turned after the shaft was released. It’s amazing. Really. It makes me wonder how any of us can catch fish they are so amazingly fast
Great video as always! How long should or can you keep fresh fish on ice, before freezing? Thanks
I have a question, what's the worst encounter you have had with a Shark, Gator, Snake etc.... love your videos btw
Do you run into crocs that far south in the keys in the mangroves? I had a buddy that lived up in islamorada in plantation key and there were several crocs in his neighborhood and we used to dive Barnes sound a lot and was always told to stay away from the mangroves due to crocs.
Hi from Scotland. Really enjoy your videos and exploits. Thank you!
When are u coming back to Belize?
not sure! hopefully some day!
Ever use smaller fins when you are shallow?
Yes these are half the size of my regular fins.
@AAron. Have you come across any Saltwater croc while snorkeling the mangroves?