Florida Keys “Hiking” | Solo Camping | Catch & Cook

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[@mikleach]

3:26 Black Mangrove seed pods... There are three types of mangroves white, black, and red. The Black Mangrove makes nectar that honey bees collect to make honey. I am a Florida beekeeper and harvest Black Mangrove honey.

[@BrandonWatkins614]

This is great information! Thanks for sharing with us :)

[@dasheriii]

Thanks for your contribution, however the plant looks very much like the Florida Keys blackbead (Pithecellobium keyense). I grew up in the keys and am quite familiar with that plant.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I've been wrong before, but I have all three types of mangrove literally in my yard, red, black and white. I've never seen any of them with a seed pod shaped like that. The red is the only one that comes close. but is not circular shaped. Google Mangrove seed pods.

[@mikleach]

@@dasheriii Yes, I agree Blackbead (Pithecellobium keyense)

[@user-nj2vv2xm4j]

Haven't had BM honey before. Our favorite is the Tupelo honey from the swamps of N Florida. Expensive but it's the best we've had.

[@gregjacob83]

Just FYI, as a Floridian with over 40 years of camping experience, use a spray bottle with six ounces of water with half an ounce of real vanilla extract to keep those noseeums away. It really works! The only problem is that it only lasts for about 10-15 minutes, but hey it smells great and is non-toxic, so apply as often as necessary. Make sure you use real, not imitation vanilla extract. By the way, I really enjoyed the video.

[@WanderingBobAK]

This was really nice and peaceful, Aaron. Speaking of raccoons ... Spending night on back side of Bahia Honda solo, in my youth. Beautiful night, no wind, no bugs, slept in back of truck with tailgate down, body inside cap, head on tailgate ... fell asleep watching the stars. Awoke with a startle! Freakin raccoon smelling my lobster dinner on my breath ... IN MY FACE! I screamed and jumped, he jumped 8 feet in the air and was gone. Did not come back! Bahaha! The good ole days!

[@billclark1011]

Always look forward to you posts. love the variety you are bringing us.

[@lizgibson5266]

Just got home after a hard day. Great to see you. So peaceful and relaxing. Thanks.

[@stevejo8162]

Another great video!!! Like that you slow things down and you seem like you really appreciate what you are doing!!! Keep it up and we will keep watching!!! Love the cooking the most.

[@brandonelms4288]

No ty for a great demeanor, respect and love for nature, actually teaching us things,relatable(i in alot of ways i do the same outdoorsy catch and cook but for fresh water panfish here in Illinois),making great content and overall being a solid dude! I mean it! I turn everyone interested in nature/fishing on to your channel. Im a fan. So ty A.

[@p.t.anderson1593]

Very enjoyable video. Thanks for taking all of us along!

[@hayduke232]

I’ve been watching for a couple years now and your videos never get old. I loved the humor on this one and something different. I know you’ve asked for ideas, my favorites are the small boat Spearfishing the mangroves. Maybe another camping trip with the small boat and spearfish. You are like a breath of fresh air! Keep up the positive vibes and see you next week. 😊

[@eddyballester8990]

Another wonderful show, glorious scenery. Thanks so much for sharing with us. You made me jump and am sure so wasn’t the only one! Good thing the bugs weren’t bad. Looking forward to your next episode

[@mrhalfapino]

Thanks Aaron! A “Gido’s fishing adventure” style video! I great to know we have spots in FL that we can still explore!

[@juanverdades5437]

Great spot. Thanks for having the conscience to not blow it up. The jumping bridge already suffered that fate

[@paulcahill9940]

Love watching your shows.. I also love watching Catch & cooks.. you should definitely make more of these.. so fun to watch

[@Elwinag]

When I see old boats like that hidden in the keys. The first thing that comes to mind are square groupers. Keep up the great work sir. Love this place.

[@kevinminor104]

What an awesome video, thanks for taking us along. Very envious!

[@KeyWestWaterman]

glad you enjoyed it!

[@joncathcart1118]

Sunrise in Sweden and sunset in the Keys. Thanks for another beautiful tuesday morning. 😌

[@keithburrell245]

Great adventure! I have done some beach camping in my day but never down south. Catching your meals is so satifying! Thanks for sharing. Im heading to south florida next week and will bring some hiking and fishing gear.

[@johnsmith-em2wp]

Haha, you are right about the water creeping into your tent...Awhile back I was camping with my brother in SW Colorado, it was late and dark and he decided to just sleep in the van. I pitched my tent on a really soft flat area that turned out to be a dry mountain bog. It rained, and I woke up in 6" of water. I never would have camped there after I saw it in the morning, oh well, crazy things happen, right?. A couple days later we were in a valley when we heard a thundering roar coming towards us....Turned out to be a giant herd of free range cows and their yearling calves coming down the valley before the winter. We literally had to run for it, lucky for us we found a huge boulder we were able to climb up on. We sat on that rock for almost 3 hours till we finally saw the cowboys at the tail end of the herd, they were pretty surprised to see us to say the least. Love the channel bro! I moved to Jupiter 4 years ago, South Florida is truly paradise!

[@tenzinedmiston3349]

Cool change of pace video! I hope it helped get your mind right, everyone needs a good quiet recharge every now and then 🙂Good stuff!

[@juliafiore120]

Picture Perfect, Aaron. 😍Gorgeous sunset 🌅

[@danbeckingham7713]

Fun video man. Really nice that you didn't plan the oyster thing. Boat is super cool. Enjoyed checking out the plants. Thanks for bringing the camera along to your sacr3d spot

[@howardlashbrook8500]

Better pissed off than pissed on. Thank you for sharing your camping trip . Watch out for the jaws with wings. We have them here in the Pacific Northwest too. Stay safe

[@kyleshultis4246]

My man another banger, keep pumping em Out.

[@lloydfiloteo1734]

more of this aaron, i just like whatever video you post. i like ypur vibe. cool and calm guy

[@dalemcgugan5174]

Sunset/Moonrise Priceless😃

[@Jeffrey-ed8sz]

So good Aaron, thanks for taking me along with you 😊

[@KeyWestWaterman]

glad you enjoyed it!

[@Bill3558]

The production and camera work of your videos are great. Keep them coming.

[@Daveincc]

You’re really dedicated to camp in those bugs ! Keep up living your best life and bringing me along !

[@KeyWestWaterman]

haha

[@KonaMan0034]

All your stuff is entertaining but love the camping vids. Keep it coming.

[@mikkimichele51014]

Loved the video. Definitely do another one like this. It's true, sometimes you just need to leave the hustle and bustle and recenter.

[@lhez]

Thanks for the experience!

[@michaelgraham9732]

Very cool. So glad to know this still exists. Your logic regarding revealing details is sound. Salute and be well.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

haha thanks for watching

[@HarryCane305]

@@KeyWestWaterman Is it legal to camp there?

[@billnelson31]

Hiked that trail a couple of times.

[@chapixx]

We here in the Caribbean love those grunts either steamed or fried Especially in the Easter season 🤌🏽🔥

[@JohnnyNix33]

Such an awesome video. Just makes me think of the early Keys settlers, such a lovely place now with technology and infrastructure, but it can't be overstated how tough those early people were who made the Keys their home.

[@joemurray9196]

Thank you for allowing me to escape my world and visit yours! Amazing, relaxing video.

[@GHEENOEMAN]

Love the camping! Thanks for the props!! Congrats to Mads for the sale!! Love you all!!

[@KeyWestWaterman]

of course! love ya sam!

[@FrankJamger]

Great video. The sunset scenes are magnificent.

[@strayedcat1966]

You're the most awesome guy! Always watch your new video's, a day late on this one. Enjoyed the land adventure on an Island not named. Thanks for the hike. Someone must be keeping the trails cleared and no trash or Key Deer either. >>> Tip for toting your fishing rod in the bushes... Carry the reel end facing the direction of travel or the rod end up & back. I've broken a rod end while walking. It is also safer on piers too. Subscribed to Madeleine too.

[@oceansuniii2260]

I LOVE the format!! Very cool 🤙

[@flukecs6480]

It's honestly weird seeing you hiking instead of diving but, I'm all for it!

[@DKofDAH]

If you want to sleep under the stars but don’t want bugs, you can try a hammock with an integrated bug net. Just put you sleeping mat inside it, lay it on the ground and use some paracord to lift the net off your face. Some even have a little tent pole for that. And with a small tarp you are even safe from rain.

[@user-nj2vv2xm4j]

Love this one too. Gotta bring your better half next time. This is pretty cool doing it in the keys. Glad your channel is growing, we've been watching close to the beginning, knew you would do well.

[@RagingChicken]

I love fishing and found your channel and was like, hell yeah!. Now I may even love backpacking better than fishing so to see this I went, HELL YEAH!

[@rustbucket9318]

Love solo camping. Even just for one night. That mangrove sunset reminded me of my first trip to Hawaii with my then girlfriend in 07. Just before flying home we ate at a fancy hotel in Kona and had the best sunset on record. We got married 2 years later, we have 2 beautiful kids and a very blessed life. Got to bring my kids back there in 2017. Takes me 10 years to save enough for the trip. 🤣

[@jenmcpena5857]

What a beautiful place! So quiet too

[@chaselee3965]

@31:10 that is a Tropical Orb Weaver. They're a nocturnal spider that builds a new web every night and takes it down before sunrise. Pretty cool.

[@JackWiliams]

Hell yeah love the solo camp. I camp up in Sebastian as much as I can, fresh snook on an island is somethin else!

[@mmcleod111]

That was great. Really enjoyed the camping stint.

[@charlesbraun8867]

Good change up. We had a place with really clean water. It had some of the biggest blue gill you’ve ever seen. We would do the same thing ,only use clay. Stuff them in a peta of clay and pinch the edge. Toss that into the coals . When the clay cracked you opened the edge and all the scales would stick to the clay. Salt and pepper to taste. Thank you Aaron it’s been quite a some time since i had thought of those times. Good friends , the best of friends just passing a summer night. Yes you are right keeping your spot secret, others would only ruin it.

[@bradjones9634]

Awesome adventure! Another day in paradise. Enjoy brother. Grunts and grits would have been my go to. Lol

[@Walt888]

This video was awesome! Thanks brother💪🏼

[@jasonthomas1236]

We appreciate the ride sir!! thank you

[@KeyWestWaterman]

thanks for coming along!

[@frankelle23]

Great video Aaron. Thank you.

[@jerrysible2177]

Me and my sons go Hammack camping. It’s awesome for hiking, don’t worry about the tide and the big net that comes on them are really cool

[@tevitalatu9620]

Awesome that you do camping aswell another notched up 👍👊

[@williamscarbrough7384]

In the 70’s and 80’s we use to camp out of the boat on the out islands. Mud Key, Marvin Key,Tarpon Belly, Boca Grande and the Marquesas Keys. I imagine you are restricted from doing that now with all the new regulations since then. Back in the day your trail was more of a road back then. I built a house in Sugarloaf Shores. Kingfish Lane West. Grunts were an easy meal to catch off any structure and were always tasty.

[@oldbloke204]

Really enjoyed that one. Thank you.

[@mrmister385]

Aaron. Nice to see you mixing things up. Always keeping it entertaining. Keep up the great work bro. Stripers are starting to funnel into the Cape Cod Canal. Would love to have you up for some Spring Striper fishing if you're interested !

[@KeyWestWaterman]

man those things are fun! hope to get back up soon

[@mrmister385]

@@KeyWestWaterman Come fish w us off Block Island in massive rip current where the Big Stripers like to live. If you've never had to haul in a 50 lb Striper in a Rip Current, OH MY GAWWWD. It will wear you out.

[@user-nj2vv2xm4j]

Use to go fishing there when I was a kid, so many stories from that time. We had lobster pots near Plymouth MA too. Oh the clam chowder up there can't be beat.

[@user-yl9os7iv5h]

Been 2 years watching ya. Now you on my turf. Ex-Army. I know FL got different bugs and then funny things, too. Good mixing it up. Be safe, enjoy as usual. Talk your wife and dog into it with quito spray, Great show, dude. Now I'll subscribe since I've secretly been giving you my cash👍🏼. Thanks, man. ❤yall, Memphis, 10

[@paulnotine4033]

You are a trooper! My version of camping is a high floor in a Marriott hotel.... Respect to you!

[@godfreydarby8717]

we used to camp at sebastian inlet,there wasnt a bridge across the inlet then,we ate oysters from the mangrove they were long not cup shaped and they had a lot of current,the inlet was much more narrow then.

[@sain223]

God I miss those beautiful FL sunsets. As someone who grew up in FL being stuck up here in the PA Mountains. Makes me kinda jealous not going to lie seeing videos like this lol. Keep up great work boss love the videos.

[@Biscayneboy]

Idk why I found this video so funny 😂😂 Aaron your the 🐐

[@hb4th]

I know exactly where that spot is. Sure is one heck of a hike in there. If I recall there are a few other remains of cars along the way. Good episode.

[@chipguy11]

That’s a change up for you!! Love your videos!

[@strosdetailingchannel]

Awesome vid, I just purchased a 2 person tent that you can set up and break down in seconds (sunnychic). Pumped to use it, camping is one way to bring us back to reality. The way it use to be a long time ago, important for everyone to do it and put their phones on Airplane. Cheers 🍻

[@seanmahoney2755]

You sir, are so good at freedom, your videos are like “freedom academy”.

[@bobjarrard]

Great change up. Thanks. Bob

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Glad you liked it!

[@budrohammbone2806]

I like that tent. If you could dodge the storms & tides that would be a cool camp with a harvest moon, in the fall. The grunts are fun on a freshwater ultra light with 10 lb test.....

[@maryantosz6195]

You are allowed to have secrets!! I wouldn't tell anyone either!! Great video!! ❤

[@mikew3194]

Also, since everybody likes to share their methods. I find inflatables always pop if you're sleeping on the ground. I stick to foams for that, and use inflatables only in hammocks, and sometimes inside a sleeping bag for more extreme cold.

[@JohnBaruch10]

Great video breaking the norm. If you burn green leaves or something live plantwise it'll get rid of bugs.

[@coastalheights3574]

Another great video Aaron, I remember when I was young my Mom would drive us down from JAx to the keys and we would camp all along us1. Miss those days before it was developed like it is now.

[@CoastLife247]

Hopefully helpful tip. If you keep a strong rum like Sailor Jerry or even better everclear pour a little over the gills and they go down almost immediately. Good excuse to keep on the boat lol

[@AdventureswithQuillen]

Love The Keys!! Need to get the family back down there soon. One of our favorite spots is the jumping bridge. Lol Lots of fish there usually also.

[@user-xz3sr6wm3j]

I was going to tell you about the bench and you ended up camping by it. The locals called that the heat trail. And I'm sure you know why after walking it. It was blocked off for many years and they just recently had opened a backup. Never saw the Jeep when I went down there. Took an electric bike the only trouble is when you go underneath the mangroves you're about to get knocked off. And I didn't see you go all the way to the end where it opens you know the other one on the same key where your home is just on the opposite side. And I'm sure the mosquitoes + the NOSEEUMS almost carried you back !enjoyed your trip down the heat trail.😊

[@NFNADVENTURE]

Those are mangroves pods. The seedlings. Theyll grow. Usually start to turn brown on one end when hanging. And they'll fall. Grow roots. And a new mangrove tree will start to grow

[@Rainersherwood]

They float too! That’s how mangroves grow in such random places

[@HarryCane305]

Usually they look like sticks not half circles. and a little darker. A different strain of mangrove?

[@NFNADVENTURE]

@@HarryCane305 I'll agree with that. I've never seen them curl like that. Usually pretty straight

[@dasheriii]

Florida Keys Blackbead (Pithecellobium keyense Coker)

[@dasheriii]

​@@HarryCane305The tree is a Florida Keys Blackbead (Pithecellobium keyense Coker)

[@garypage9515]

I lived for 35+ years in SW Florida (Naples, Ft Myers, Cape Coral), and I would never camp past sunset in the mangroves, just because of the no-seeums! Their bites don't go away very quickly!!

[@PHorne]

By U thanking us❤ here in Atlanta Ga 🎉 how could we not🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤

[@fairwind8222]

This is different, I like it!👍🏻

[@KeyWestWaterman]

thanks for tuning in!

[@michaelmorgan7425]

Traveling and land locked, you get me tnrough.....to a point, lol. Can't wait to be back in FL and doing this!!

[@noobsforuse1015]

YES YES YES, keep this going

[@TheKingfishspecialist]

Of course I see this video today. I’ve spent the last 2 days trying to catch some mangrove snapper out of a shallow water wreck I found. Couldn’t get them to bite any lure in my tackle box. There were tons of those mangrove oysters around. Wish I had seen this just a day earlier lol Edit: as far as I know the slits in the fish let the seasoning get deeper in the meat

[@bradcallander7789]

Great time , coming down next month hope I can camp if not to hot but no matter I will be happy camper

[@tokenblackgirl8480]

Thank GOD for your channel! Brings so much needed peace. Please don't ever change. 🩷

[@TheDadFaxs]

You're talking in the video about that tent being a three-person and Overkill. I have a white stag tent that I bought in the 90s. It's 13 ft long 9 ft wide the center roof is 9 ft in the side roof is 5 ft it's got a divider so you have two rooms. That's what I use for myself. In the back because I can set my bed up in the back room. And use the front room for all my gear getting changed. You never have to worry about getting sand in your bed. Lol

[@freedomwanderer91]

Looks pretty cool. I am not really a camper but it is fun watching others camp.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

haha

[@dananderson128]

When you started this video talking about hiking 3 or 4 miles, I was sure this was going to be an April Fools joke!! I didn’t know there were any places in the lower Keys that was even possible. I was sure you were going to pop out at The Bungalows on Key Largo and meet Madeline there. I love grunts. I used to call them the Yellow Perch of the sea.

[@valero4592]

Bro, the story behind that boat, I dare to say that it was a group of Cubans arriving in this wonderful country, I was part of a group of Cubans who left Cuba on a boat like that 22 years ago.

[@williamhughes5197]

Pretty sure I have a good idea of where you were at. I camped out on wisteria Island across from Key West back in the late 80's . No where near the place that you were at in the video 😂. Beautiful sunset and I think those are called mullusk oysters in the mangrove

[@Bguerrax3]

Please more of these

[@onlyychevys]

That was awesome!

[@markespich8574]

Grunts,they are the bream of the sea. Delicious!

[@chir0pter]

Really cool episode!

[@Penncrest69]

Yes. You did get me.

[@lowlightevangelist9431]

Man a cpl weeks ago I had a bag of Boars Head mesquite turkey, and flicked tiny pieces in the water and it brought loads of fish through mangrove in Key West, at boat ramp s of Flagler

[@catchcookandmore]

whats up man ,, nice to see you againg

[@KeyWestWaterman]

all is well! thanks for tuning in!

[@jamesrahn8339]

The last time I went camping was last winter in the Everglades. 8 miles in and it was absolutely gorgeous although I will never do it again for 3 reasons. The biggest being water. I had to pack in enough fresh water for 2 of us and it's way too much weight. 2 is the Crocodiles, 3 we're the sharks on shore. 😂

[@mdv2043]

Dude that was a square grouper fishing boat in the mangroves. Also iam surprised you didn't come across an encampment of Hatians down there with all the crap going on over there camping there you should always carry some protection...also when camping you can fold you a nice spoon out of that tin foil.

[@mdv2043]

Ps clear your head? Pretty new wife, live in paradise awsome job for a living... I would be counting my blessings not clearing my head brother.

[@badvibes501]

Those " sea grapes" are so good! I prefer them over the regular grapes lol !!