COMMERCIAL SPEARFISHING | Gear Review| Banana Gun Highlight Reel | Key West Waterman Ep. 024

[@TEAMinistries]

Love your attention to detail - like syncing the shots to the beat in the highlight section. The little things make the difference.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

glad you enjoy the vids! 🙏

[@jefferyschlicht5920]

I'm really glad to see a guy that really knows what he's doing.I love your Rigs, and set-ups. Also, your opinions are very informative.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Appreciate that! my opinions are just that, Opinions but they have worked best for me over the years! doesn't meant they are necessarily the right way! thanks for the feedback!

[@saltygruntsportfishing9644]

Tour of the boat would be cool. What work you do on it yourself and what you pay others to do. What daily maintenance do is involved when you run it as hard as you do. Also any modifications you’ve made to make your charter trips easier or more convenient. Keep up the content

[@KeyWestWaterman]

awesome! thanks for the feedback! I will try and put that together in the next couple weeks!

[@AngieWolfK72]

Nice overview of your stuff. Thank you! ❤

[@Tyler-kw9ce]

Great video!! And Neptonics trigger mechs are tough as nails just like you said. I got a Flatline speargun off craigslist. Made by a guy in Tampa out of repurposed teak from an fp49 radio ship from WW1. Sent it back to him and he rebuilt it for me for cheap. Looks brand new and the trigger mech was cleaned and felt like brand new.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

they are incredible! all the guns I've built have Neptonics Hardware! my oldest build is 10 years old and don't have a single issue with it to this day!

[@misfitsmiami6777]

The ole banana cannon always wrecking anything in its path

[@darrengjones]

THE NANNER CANNON!

[@KeyWestWaterman]

lol it is a thing of legend!

[@snakeeyes4424]

Hey sorry about the slow business but hopefully we get back soon to normal. Maybe you can do an episode about your deep drop rig that you use to cash Tilefish snowy grouper and such and talk about the electric reels that you use Another idea will be how to free diving maybe how you doing and prepare for it. Have a great week and stay healthy

[@KeyWestWaterman]

SNAKEEYES44 going to be filming a deep drop tutorial this week most likely!! Thanks again!

[@scram8280]

I love watching you fish !

[@KeyWestWaterman]

happy to hear that!!!

[@dinos8557]

Nice video and great stone shot on the cobia at 10:18

[@KeyWestWaterman]

haha thanks for watching! check out some of the other vids if you get a chance!

[@dinos8557]

@@KeyWestWaterman did you put up more videos, Iv'e seen them all.

[@love96940]

thank you for this...i needed to see this..i was just about to ask you about your gear, but i guess it helped to start watching all your videos before asking anything else...

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Haha love it! Thanks for tuning in!

[@mdv2043]

Great video brother. Sorry about the down time with all this crap going on...We in construction have managed to stay more than busy and continue to work. Stay safe and healthy.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

really appreciate it! we will get through it, just a hiccup! going to keep the KZbins coming! stay tuned!

[@joshjohnson8998]

Definitely like to see the other rigs! Awesome!

[@KeyWestWaterman]

coming right up!

[@spbiknut]

Good stuff! The informational videos are fantastic and really appreciate the honesty about sponsors. Started spearfishing about a year ago on scuba so I'm always looking for information about equipment, standards and technique. Found your channel and have been binge watching. I'm in St. Pete but get down to the Keys at least once a month, I'll be the guy on a JetSki with my speargun strapped to the back. I hope to catch up with you guys someday, I'll buy the beer! One request would be some information about the flashers and other equipment used during blue water hunts. Keep up the good work!

[@KeyWestWaterman]

haha thanks so much really appreciate that! im sure ill see ya around, im not hard to find! and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and ideas, really helps a lot!

[@donaldtouchton9523]

If I would’ve seen this video earlier i wouldn’t have asked a dumb question.!😂 see how it works now ! Thanks Dibs👊🏻👊🏻

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Haha never a dumb question!

[@cooperalterio]

love that banana gun man, the sound of the power is unreal

[@KeyWestWaterman]

haha I love it too!!!

[@cooperalterio]

@@KeyWestWaterman if you build another gun you should make a video on it

[@surfinpinetree]

Thanks for the great videos. A suggestion for you would be a sonar video. What transducer, head unit and possible settings for depths 500ft to 1600. Do certain fish have certain marks? And a whole host of info I am not aware of. I fish a lot in Guam and recently bought a 1kw sounder to explore deep jigging beyond 500ft. Any help would be appreciated. Have a great day!

[@Tyler-kw9ce]

Good suggestions I'd be interested to hear about this as well. Always wondered how they mark fish so deep. And what's the minimum equipment to do so.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Killer idea! ill put something together like that to go along with the next sword or deep drop trip!

[@terrymurray4913]

Killer Input on Your Banana Gun Aaron!

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I love that thing!!!

[@ralphfreeman255]

GREAT, GREAT, GREAT video! Love the quick fish sticks!! I always appreciate going through and explaining your gear. I am looking forward to getting this covid stuff behind us and getting in the water. Sorry to hear about the customer loss and hope uncle sam helps you out in some way. Keep the tips sharp!

[@KeyWestWaterman]

haha! glad to hear it! going to be doing a Bluewater gear breakdown as well! we will get through it just another hiccup! stay tuned!

[@johntsairis7011]

Love the montage at the end. Stoned um!!

[@KeyWestWaterman]

haha! thanks man really appreciate it!

[@101181852020]

I also have a heavy brow and had to find a fairly large, single lens mask to dive comfortably. A low volume masks puts way too much pressure right between the eyebrows.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

its terrible! took me forever to find the right mask but once I found it its my mask for life!

[@brendonblue829]

Cool videos keep em coming. What length shaft and diameter? I like the gun

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Brendon Blue appreciate it! 56” shaft 5/16th diameter!

[@NewBookz]

Since watching I have had a keen interest in the "banana gun," thanks for showing your handiwork.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Haha of course!

[@drupydogwhite6827]

Blessed Mr key west Waterman I am from the Bahamas I love your channel, I am one of your new fans like how you break down your boat expenses, I am a spear fisherman to but we only allow to use the Hawaiian sling an spear would love to meet you one day ,would like you to teach me the real way of spearfishing God continue to bless you an your family my name is Dion white

[@KeyWestWaterman]

welcome to the channel! thanks for watching and really appreciate that feedback! never speared in the Bahamas but would love to some day!

[@kekqq]

The low volume masks help with your sinus... thats why you are always snotty in your videos. Also less air to equilise them past 1 atm

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I spent $1000 trying to find a low volume mask that worked for me. Did nothing for the “snot” either. I’ve been diving with a scuba mask for ages. The average diver won’t notice a difference in the volume. I’m a advocate of dive with what’s comfortable!

[@robertcummings2144]

Love your videos. We hope to book a charter with you when this thing is over. What is the stiffness of your Alchemy blades?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Really appreciate that! I kick a medium/soft alchemy S and they are perfect for me, im 6'1" 160 and they are like butter!

[@jamesrahn8339]

Very cool appreciate the info.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

hope it was helpful!

[@stevesoutdoorworld4340]

Can you show us how you built the Banana Gun- Build Plans - and hardware shop?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Its been so long since Ive built it I honestly can't remember what all went into it. All the guns I built I kinda just improvised lol. and have since move several times and don't have any of the tools I used to build!

[@stevesoutdoorworld4340]

@@KeyWestWaterman Ok thanks anyway Bro!

[@KeyWestWaterman]

@@stevesoutdoorworld4340 of course!

[@alexsuarez1933]

Hey man, great video! Appreciate you sharing the info. Hope all this coronavirus gets gone already so life can get back to normal. In the meantime, thanks for giving us something to watch. A Blue Water tips and tricks would be dope. Like a do's and don'ts of blue water. Best practices etc.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Awesome actually have a Bluewater gear breakdown I filmed going to be coming out soon! will also work on a Bluewater techniques vid as well! thanks for watching and I'm gonna keep them coming!

[@zmatt.7324]

hey mate watching from Australia, awesome channel. love the no bs approach can tell by watching that you know what your doing. any beginners would pay to listen to your advise. bit of a running joke overhere but No bananas allowed in my boat so when my wife saw the banana gun couldn't stop laughing. keep up the good work

[@KeyWestWaterman]

haha really appreciate that! ive been doing it a while now and truly love it! lol its the same over here most fishermen consider bananas bad lucky so I thought it would be funny! some people don't think it is!

[@FinsNFeathersOutfitters]

Could you do a full breakdown on parts and what you used to build this gun I really wanna build one identical to it and there’s just a few things Neptonics doesn’t show especially like length and the mid handle setup love the videos as always can’t wait to more!

[@KeyWestWaterman]

shoot me an email I can get you some better specs on the banana gun! [e-mail]

[@jocon60]

Don't think you mentioned it,, but is the banana gun enclosed track or open track ? And what is the biggest advantage(s) that you like with it's track setup? Great video as always!!

[@KeyWestWaterman]

banana is enclosed! I don't really have a preference as long as the gun shoots straight!

[@albertojimenez3197]

how to shoot wahoo, where to find them, flashers guns ect

[@KeyWestWaterman]

have a Bluewater gear breakdown coming up soon!

[@ma93293833]

love your channel, how much weight of you and how much weight you put? would you suggest quick release weight vest? thanks

[@KeyWestWaterman]

The belt we wear are quick release and weight is all based on the person. No way to answer that question. Weight, wet suit, depth all come into play. Fresh water salt water. Lot of factors!

[@kevinkimbrell1404]

Awesome videos man! Keep the spearfishing videos coming! How deep are you usually free diving for the grouper

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Honestly anywhere from 10 ft to 100 all depends on conditions and who I have with me! if I'm going commercial with solid divers we are normally in 50-80 ft!

[@shaunmclane8729]

Sorry about the down time but up side is you make videos that my entire family loves!!! My boys (12 and 7) have questions both spear on scuba... Lol...What training do you do to hold your breath? How did you perfect your aim? And they want reels on their guns, is it worth it?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Haha really appreciate you guys keeping up with the videos! I don't do any breath holding training. I grew up surfing and swam a little in high school which was great practice for breath holding. kinda just came naturally. There is a stamina app that is great for breath hold training. Perfecting your aim comes no other way than simply getting out and practicing, learning to stay calm underwater definitely helps but there is no alternative for repetition! Reels are a great accessory once you start moving on to deeper free diving or diving in murky water. the only alternative is attaching a float line and float as a back up incase that big fish does swim by. I will say reels do take some getting used to, I don't recommend them for beginners.

[@darrengjones]

shaun mclane great questions!!!

[@chadcook87]

Yes this is the video I was waiting for. You're thinner than me but how much weight do you use with a and without a wetsuit? I shoot a Biller 48 stainless, am I missing out?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

that all depends on which suit thickness and gun. also depends depends on which depths I'm diving, there's no exact recipe for the amount of weigh I wear unfortunately! And billers are great guns in certain situations, down here with clear waters we like to have a littler more range. its all situational !

[@chastaylor2114]

How were you able to get the Banana graphics on your gun? I was kinda assuming epoxy? Quick breakdown of how you did it would be much appreciated! have a riffe euro been using for years and was wanting to customize it.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I just put stickers on it and epoxied over them.

[@chrisgil7704]

Googin question but you said it was 53 inches so basically 130cm? And you still manage to murk these fish around the rocks!? That’s badass bro

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I guess!? im not familiar with CM. yea its my go to all around gun unless im specifically targeting wahoo or something bigger in the blue water!

[@wyllmelendez5359]

Can you explain about the type of trigger mechanism you use in the Bannana Gun?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

its is a reef mech manufactured by Neptonic systems!

[@wyllmelendez5359]

@@KeyWestWaterman Thanks

[@Dissame6730]

Yall shoot a lot of triggers down there. How much do they usually sell per pound? Up here in NC we really like our triggerfish, and it's 80% of what you catch on the bottom, if you don't get broke off by cobias, lol. Nice vids, hope your doing well in this whole virus fustercluck.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I don't shoot a ton of them, and honestly don't know off the top of my head what they go for in the market! if the day is really slow I will start to pop them! Yea I hear they are thick up there! Having a tough time but we are getting through!

[@GoodLivingTT868]

Yo! Loving your channel man! I noticed in another video you target trigger fish for the market. Any idea how those are cooked? Only us spearros in Trinidad will harvest them, and when we do it's just one. We make it into something called popcorn chicken. I'm wondering if we're missing out on a greater market share over here.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Glad you like the channel! when I eat trigger fish I treat it just like any other white fish, blacken it or pan sear! a little more firm than most fish but I think its just as good!

[@goferizer]

Do you have issues with your masks sealing with facial hair? If so, how do you deal with that? Enjoy your vids. Thanks for taking the time to share them.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

goferizer i do! I have to trim the top of my mustache with a razor and the top of my bread near my cheeks. Some guys use vaseline but i can’t deal with it!

[@chrismiller519]

Hey Ryan. Great videos. Curious about using dyneema shooting line. I agree with the advantage in ease of cutting and re rigging to retrieve a tangled fish on the bottom. Do you find any increase in band tangles? Also, do you use the same diameter as your reel line? And if so, have you thought about omitting the pigtail snapswivel altogether? Or, if using a smaller ID shooting line for better hydrodynamics maybe omit the pigtail and use only a swivel? Also just curious do you tie to your shaft with a bowling or do you splice it? Also the loop on the other end. Splice or knot

[@KeyWestWaterman]

its Aaron! and I don't ever have any issues with band tangles. my reel has spectra on it not dyneema. no I like the pig tail because I can quickly remove it instead of tying it, often do it underwater if a fish is wrapped or went in one hole and out the other. the end to the shaft I use a bowline, the end to the pigtail I just tie a uni!

[@WillyK51]

Since in the 1950's/60's my dad used Penn Long Beach trolling reels spooled with SS cable, and so did I eventually, He used a 6 Ft + spring loaded Spear gun plus a custom made aditional drag near the muzzle, Apnea, and the drag was to prevend cave dvelers to rock up, pelagic loosen drag an shoot. Ok SS cable? yes it sinks and won't tangle like floating dynema and uncutable with coral or barnakles, 70 plus yrs of combined spear fishing whithout issues with SS

[@KeyWestWaterman]

that is wild! thanks for taking the time to share!

[@dhickman9879]

Great content, really enjoyed your narration. Longtime reef and backcountry fisher and speared....looking to buy my son a new gun for backcountry holes and shallower water stuff, could you recommend any brand and size? My boys 22 now, delay with my old sea hornet, would like to get him something lighter and easier to use.....thx, stay safe down there! Dh

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Awesome glad you enjoyed it! if he's hunting shallow water and holes I'd look at the koah shorties! sick little shallow water/hole guns!

[@henryg1875]

Love your channel, only found it the other day when trying to find more information about the Alchemy S fins. I was wondering if you are using the ones with the 30° angle or the 23° angle? And why did you choose one over the other? Thank you so much. I don't really know which one is better suited for me... I am only a novice and can't dive that deep (if that is a factor in the decision making?) I am actually the same weight and height as you, however I use about 6kg of weight with my thick wetsuit so I'm guessing medium-soft is the right stiffness or maybe medium? Sorry for all the questions but I'd really appreciate if you could help me out ☺️ Thanks

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I went with the Alchemy S, solely because I like the pathos foot pockets lol, wish I had a better answer. And if you're my size I would go with medium soft as well, they start out a little stiff but break in after a couple weeks. A medium or anything more stiff is a really stout blade for much larger people or if you are extremely muscular and have a powerful kick. No worries at all happy to answer hope that helps! let me know if you have any other questions!

[@henryg1875]

@@KeyWestWaterman Thanks for the quick reply 👌 I guess I'll just try if the pathos footpocket fits me well and then I'll also go for the 23° angle fin. Oh does the color on the fin effect the fish when spearfishing? I have tried to keep my current spearfishing stuff in black and brown colors. Do you notice any difference when using the yellow fins? Thanks again👍

[@roanmilelli]

Where do you get the wood for the banana gun?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I used to order it online from a guy I found on spear board way back in the day! don't have his contact anymore I haven't talked to him in years

[@jaretttapia1844]

Do you do chartered spear trips ?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I do! check out my instagram @dibsonbottom_adventures

[@djnree]

Hi bro, Do you recommend S blades for deep spearfishing to 20-30 meters... Or V3 could be better choice? also i m 172 and 75kg if i go for M stiffness is it ok you recon thanks mate

[@KeyWestWaterman]

it you plan on doing deeper stuff I'd probably go with the v3's. and i'm a very similar build and I like a medium soft personally but its kinda a preference.

[@jeffdaley9524]

Do you take out scuba divers and what kind of knife was that

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I don’t do scuba. And red tide Spearfishing knife.

[@fishhunter348]

Hey mate loving your videos! Just wondering what mech and remote trigger set-up did you use on your midhandle? Im thinking of building one but concerned that the trigger pull will be different since the mech trigger needs to be cut so short. How is the trigger pull on your gun?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I have a Neptonics reef mech in this gun with Neptonics ar-15 midhandle kit. I absolutely love this set up its my go to gun!

[@angkit216]

What you say about carbon speargun rob Allen ,wettie or picasso ?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I don't have any experience with any of those guns unfortunately! but there are a ton of great options out there!

[@alexsocha38]

Notice you shoot allot of trigger fish, do you sell that or just for home cooking?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

they go to the market as well! and this video probably has every trigger fish I've ever shot in it. I don't shoot them often lol

[@ericsutton6469]

Yo dibs, what blade stiffness do you have on the Alchemy S fins?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

medium soft!

[@ericsutton6469]

damn you’re quick, thanks man!! i’m about to put in an order and we’re around the same size, gonna go M/S as well bc I’ve heard the soft can be too soft. Would you go with the normal S or S30’s?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

they are perfect for me, not too soft but still get a lot out of them. and I like the originals.

[@dimitris779]

Almost as good as a mediterranean spearo lol. Nice channel bro.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

haha thank you sir! glad you like the channel!

[@terrywalker4790]

Aaron, do you know where I can order a speargun blank like the banana gun set up like yours. I like the idea of being better able to control the shot using 2 hands vs rear trigger setup. I looked at Neptonics and their speargun kit is a rear handle setup. Any info or suggestions appreciated.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I used to buy my wood from a guy on spear board but I don't believe he makes them anymore. (over 10 years ago) Neptonics is your best bet, if you give them a call or shoot them an email im sure they might work something out with you! or just have not route out the trigger mech slot and you can do it yourself!

[@ehickey73]

Surgical with it 🤙🏼

[@KeyWestWaterman]

oh yes!

[@8916MICO]

Hey what stiffness you have in your fins?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

medium soft!

[@tmg754]

what thickness shaft do you run, 5/16?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

on my reef guns yes!

[@tmg754]

@@KeyWestWaterman thanks for the reply!

[@jeffjones6138]

How does the snorkel work.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

if you're being serious you just put it in your mouth and breathe.

[@jeffjones6138]

@@KeyWestWaterman im serious,im 66 never snorkeld,i no u can be on surface and look down into water and breath, but i see u under water was wondering if u had a breath underwater

[@KeyWestWaterman]

@@jeffjones6138 nope! Just use it to breathe from the surface. I hold my breath when i go down!

[@jeffjones6138]

@@KeyWestWaterman thanks guy,enjoy ur show

[@mfalasa]

What shaft diameter do you run?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

5/16th

[@kebblesolomon7066]

What price for the banana gun?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

They are $895 fully rigged ready to shoot. keywestwaterman.myshopify.com

[@kebblesolomon7066]

How can I order diving stuff from you?

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I only carry guns currently that link I just attached on the last comment goes to them. may be working on getting some more gear in the future.

[@aurelioarenas6293]

How to deal with sharks, what behavior make you decide to call it quit.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

that is something I plan on covering! trying to save up enough footage with shark encounters!

[@papartvanzmix7563]

Nice speargun idol..can i have one?please 🤣😅

[@KeyWestWaterman]

lol she's one of a kind! thought about making some extras to sell but no time, maybe one day!