Solo Trip | Commercial Red Snapper Fishing | Profit Breakdown

[@myriamtorres2185]

As a former commercial fisherman (1976-2010) I really appreciate your down-to-earth, tell it like it is attitude. Way too many people out there put too much ego into making fishing about themselves, when it's really about the fish and the lifestyle. Thank you.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Appreciate it! I try to keep it real.

[@Theultrazombiekiller]

Been watching you for a couple years. I love the ocean and southern Florida. Been offshore fishing on many summer trips there. My wife and I are spontanously moving to Ft Myers in January of 25 (5 months from now) onto a liveaboard sailboat we are purchasing. Moving from Nebraska lol. We are self employeed and own a house and we are selling everything we own and have. Been traveling to Florida my entire life. We are only 28 and 27 and we have no kids so now is the the time if we are going to do this. Neither of us have ever lived near the ocean ever. We are planning on traveling for the next 5 or so years on the sailboat and not working and starting youtube. We have so much to learn haha. We only live once. Excited to get into learning offshore fishing.

[@WilliamFluery]

Sounds fun. Good luck.

[@williamflanjack6438]

I live in FM and my uncle/grandfather are sailors. Pops sailed to Bermuda from Ft Myers back in the day. You're going to love it here

[@redflametech]

Thanks for a glimpse into the cost vs return on your adventure. That is something that very few channels ever do so it was really cool to have you share that with us. Thank you.

[@shawnholton8996]

You're absolutely right about the Red Snapper Regs. I'm from Pensacola, as a kid in the 80s and early 90s it was tough to get a limit, now you can hardly catch other bottom species because the Red Snapper are so thick. NOAA and FWC need a better formula for determining current stocks of fish species. Love the Vids.

[@jvirgilio8880]

A little plug here for you Aaron, the No Agenda shirt is true to size and really soft and comfortable. Thanks for the sticker, too!

[@jackfurness4092]

In Jax we’re catching them from 40 foot to 300 foot. They are out of control. On the headboat I work on it’s not uncommon to pull up 200+ snapper a day. And half don’t even make it back down to the bottom with the sharks and cudas. They eat everything in sight and it’s getting rarer and rarer to catch a keeper gag. We have them eating top water plugs in 160 or less. Nowadays a lot of guys don’t even want to fish the season because of how big a shitshow it is. Talked to a bunch of FWC researchers that come on our boats and they tell me they submit correct data to NOAA about overpopulation of red snapper. However it’s obvious that the lawmaker behind the computer is fabricating false data to further their political agenda and close snapper completely. Love the vids Aaron

[@FlTreasureHunter]

Dude it’s all about the money and imports not politics! Follow the money trail! Supply and demand at its best!

[@kayb4995]

@@FlTreasureHunter exactly, it’s not mismanaged it’s just a giant scam.

[@matthewh5935]

Lots of FWC biologists do fantastic work reporting and researching east coast ARS populations, one of the main concerns is right now with the populations is how the age structure is changing on the east coast. Having a lot of fish that are young and not many that are big and old is just as problematic as having a lot of big fish and barely any small fish. Regardless of which situation your area is in(remember the entire east coast is managed as one unit), the big picture for east coast ARS is still not positive enough for managing bodies to confidently start loosening regs. Biologists care firstly about the future health of our fisheries and do not benefit in any way personally by restricting catch. A lot of biologists are also fisherman and to repeat that, don’t gain anything by restricting your catch other than trying to safeguard the future of the fishery across a very large and diverse area

[@kayb4995]

@@matthewh5935 yeah, you do t get how things work at all. Of course you can’t visualize how a biologist or a fwc officer benefits from certain policies, but they do. If some commercial interest make 100 million a year with x regulation and 200 million a year with y regulation, what regulation do you think will be passed? You gotta understand how huge fish and game is. Bog food companies will want to be involved in influencing policy: more people in grocery stores the less people that fish. And I’m just scraping the tip of the iceberg. The entire thing is a scam I feel bad for people like you who think it’s on the up and up. It’s clearly not. Just look at the example in this video of the snapper. Seem on the up and up to you. There’s always an interest somebody has

[@matthewh5935]

@@kayb4995 Im sorry that you think everything is some huge scam, but I happen to work as a fisheries biologist. Just like all fields of work there are problems and it can get political, but there are certainly no multi million dollar bribes going around, especially from commercial fishermen who are scraping by as is. If you could try to read a couple research papers and understand the bigger picture of species conservation maybe you’d find some sympathy for fisheries managers whose jobs I do not envy. All I’m saying is that what happens in front of your eyes does not always represent or capture the entire scope of what managers and biologists have to consider. That being said, managers and biologists alike make mistakes and so it is very possible that mismanagement takes place.

[@DwightPerkins-i7t]

You knocked those reds out in style. Great technique on getting the fish to the top. Glad to see you covered up in the wind and sun. Alot of fishermen don't do that and then pay for it years later. Absolutely great video and felt like I was right there in the boat with you 😎

[@brianzeigler7497]

I really appreciate how transparent you are.

[@maryantosz6195]

Red snapper is my favorite fish to eat! Haven't had it in years. You caught some beautiful fish! It was cool you did it ole school.

[@matthewlambert4371]

Went out at midnight instead of 6pm, not even mad at it though. Thank you for addressing the BS that is Red Snapper mismanagement.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

Yea that was on accident lol

[@proteinguy3366]

I've been watching for years and I love your content. I just moved to Florida myself and have a boat in the keys. Learned tons of fishing stuff from your videos!

[@fierceflyer5]

Pretty much everyone I know has a trolling motor on the bow and we don’t use anchors anymore. We use spot lock, works like a dream.

[@Steve-Jody]

Aaron, WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU MAKE A VIDEO OF YOU DROPPING ANCHOR IN 200+ ft OF WATER AND GETTING SET UP AND RECOVERING THE ANCHOR. Your thoughts. love your videos. Pulled a red off the cape point in 32 feet the other day fishing .

[@fordtrucks222]

Totally agree with you on the red snapper. Trolling for king fish in ft Pierce to st Augustine fishing tournaments catching them on the down rigger. Love the videos keep up the good work.

[@freedomwanderer91]

Yeah, I feel the pain on the mismanagement of Reds here in SC. We only got 1 rec day and it was 6ft seas and small craft advisory so no one really got any fish. I see monsters all the time scuba diving and they are in great shape. Great video.

[@Mike-hb4pc]

You gotta get yourself an anchor retrieval ball. I used one for years... never had it fail. Anchoring in 200' of water you're going to need at least 600' rope. That's a lot of pulling! With the anchor retrieval ball, the anchor ends up hanging on the ball, and all you have to do is pull in the rope with no weight on it. The anchor gets hung on the ball and floats at the surface.

[@KeyWestWaterman]

I have one.

[@craig1lengyel]

You have to calculate depreciation on the boat for the hours you used it for that trip. The boat is wearing out and those hours will contribute to future repairs. 220' boy that is a work out for sure. Thanks for sharing.

[@CatchingDinosaurs]

appreciate your views on conservation

[@philcavallini9657]

U deserve the funds from the vids u make! That's years of experience and many bumps along the way. U paid ur part now u get to enjoy urself!

[@mitchelllavalley3497]

Aaron l really enjoy your videos some of the others u tubers l watch are so fake they act like they are reeling in a whale! LOL. And one of the few U tubers tell it like it really is and l like that kind of honesty! I think a day fishing with you would be like a dream come true amazing 😲 You are the best fisherman l know!

[@user-tr6kw2nq2p]

Dont stop making these videos man i love them and it drives me to go out and push myself to fish better and catch better fish!! 😊

[@cptbluntman5096]

Your channel is awesome dude, you’re so lucky to be in the ocean all the time. My brother Matt put me on to you, he and his wife love you man

[@LegoHeadGrady]

Love when you show what you are seeing on the MFD. Just reeling up fish is one thing, but keepin us in the loop on what the bottom looks like makes it feel like we are on the boat with ya. Good work capt!

[@dallasedc2976]

Man you been spoiling us with all these spontaneous uploads! 😂

[@carlsoncox285]

“Bruising the groin buddy “. True hard core fishin!!!keep the videos coming. Thanks Aaron

[@rayzerclan1327]

One of my favorite videos! That was a ton of physical work!

[@Jeffrey-ed8sz]

Really enjoy Aaron and Maddie's cook and taste reactions. Really good content. A reel Sportsman. 😊

[@DFMotorSports]

I recently caught a 60lb jack crevalle, total day ender - we got our lines out again and instantly hooked up on a 70lb bull dorado but I was so spent I couldn't even help. Amazing fish!

[@johnphillipsfishing]

Nice haul of Snapper on your own with no electric! Great job! The sharks have been a big problem on our side of the Gulf also the last couple trips out for us. Keep up the great work! Let me know if you ever want to fish with us out of Sarasota!

[@bretburt7317]

Anytime you need to break out the gaff is a good time. You definitely earned your paycheck today! Mostly because of your personality. Good for you.

[@edwinroberts4653]

Agree one day a year not right. Served FWC for Bush.

[@Bos520]

Love the videos. I truly appreciate the truth that you bring. I often dream of moving south and starting a career as a commercial fisherman thinking it would be just as fun as hobby fishing, and you always bring a sense of reality. Not saying someone cannot come do what you do, but it is a lot of hard work and there are a ton of unseen things that can be not so glamorous. Moral of the story, if you work hard and put in the hours, can shake off the bad you can make a living, but it isn’t for everyone. Keep doing what you are doing and I look forward to your videos coming out to live a little vicariously through you. For now I will stick to my kayak and bass fishing the northeast.

[@charlielippert1451]

I appreciate the way you do commercial fishing, it’s a whole lot better than dredgers or net fishing. Much more sustainable.

[@josedelacampa7066]

One thing that I miss from fishing in Cuba, is that kind of fishing (beside blue Marlin)and yellow eye and queen snappers

[@longstrangejourney4776]

Another great video Aaron. Thanks for the breakdown. I'd like to hold the polyanna view that the Gulf Management is doing their best but my personal opinion, and this is the gut feel from many years of viewing this, the powers that influence the Gulf Fisheries Council are simply trying to wear the residential anglers down, via the constant rope-a-dope on this issue. In my opinion, they essentially want to get residential anglers to accept the foregone conclusion that ARS are reserved for Commercial Fishermen.

[@Grant-vk6zo]

Really enjoy what you do. Great videos of our outdoors without fluff. I'm in the Panhandle and RS are the same here. One day is a bit overboard. Many are sacrificed to sharks or dolphins being thrown back unfortunately.

[@Just_in_time_outdoors]

Love the channel. I spent some time in South Florida from 1983-1990 I can pear thru your life style and dream. Jan 2025 here we come

[@braydenwilliams4478]

Tried to watch the OG post but it wasn’t there when i came back to, glad to see it reposted

[@clenaghen]

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing! You and Madeline live a special life!

[@gene_pool_exotics3261]

Im happy to hear that your hard work put into this content provides you a second/third income. I hope that the volume continues to increase with every video. Thank you

[@johnfkorn1265]

Awesome Aaron, cept the sharking

[@IWillNotArgueWithMorons]

You are living the dream…love the sentiments on conservation and red snapper. Couldn’t agree more on all of it! Keep the content coming. I am fairly new to your channel. For a couple decades now I have said, when I win the lottery…I’ll be living in the middle keys…and living that life. Maybe someday sooner than later it’ll happen 😂 I cant complain…living a pretty good life…just to live that tropical water life….in that place…has been the dream since my first trip down. Enjoy 💦 🎣 🤿🌊🍻🌎🤙🏻

[@LindaMorada-u1f]

Hello from MN! Really miss living in the Keys so thanks for getting me back out on the big water fishing with you!

[@krestonclifton6859]

The head boats down in texas when they find them are limited in 30 minutes and thats roughly 86 folks limited in 30 minutes with big one coming on live pins or on Spanish sardines

[@LuisDiaz-kn9vl]

I can not stop thanks you because you are the best and fisher man

[@rustbucket9318]

We have some strong regs on red snapper here in Texas too. We can go out just about any time (weather permitting) and catch a limit. 2 fish limit in fed waters with a 3 month season. 4 fish in state waters (open season) but that usually doesn't pay off since our state water is so shallow out to 9 nm. They could double the limit and double the season and we would still be knee deep in snapper. Federal regs are not very well managed in everyone's opinion when it comes to these fish.

[@randymeinholdt4401]

Fantastic video. My favorite videos of all are the rod and reel vids. So sorry never had a chance to book a charter with you

[@leekillman802]

Awesome video, one of my favorite fish to eat

[@backcountrylifemagazine6912]

Great Vid!! Spent my whole life hunting and fishing…often alone in big wilderness and on big water. Spent a ton of time in Alaska….a million miles from anyone, alone, surrounded by brown bears. Walked out of the woods at night in Northern Michigan with wolves in close proximity. I love it all so I get it, but nowadays, when I watch your solo trips, I worry a bit about you bro. I’ve been adrift in a tiny boat, no power, no radio, 60 miles off the coast of Belize…at night, heading towards Africa, on the wind. Falling overboard is easier than most people think. So is getting cut and bleeding out, (tried that once too). Having kids late in life made me way more cautious. You’ll probably feel that effect before too long. Stay safe out there!

[@love2fish78]

Another awesome video #Keywestwaterman !! I so agree with what your are saying about opening the fishery for red snapper amongst a few other fish such as Goliath and maybe even some shark species. I honestly think it also has a little to do with marketing. Fish can become expensive when there isn’t - insert finger quotes - “a lot of fish” to consume. Therefore the state makes more money on less fish. We all know the people in the state offices have no idea about these fish and their actual population. Between the Jewfish and Red snapper, fishing the reefs here out of Sebastian inlet can be challenging. 6/1 reds to mangs/grouper/lanes/triggers. I used fish/work on a kingfish boat and these snapper would chew our cedar plugs more than the Mack’s half the time and they are still to this day thick enough to gaff along side the boat if you wanted to and that’s in 140/220 ft of water off of both Bethel and Thomas shoal… I think they could market the red snapper with a $50 snapper stamp 1 fish per day for a month long season and make that bi-annually. Everyone wins this way. Families can have food on the table and the state can get their money as usual.

[@fishydubsfishing6516]

Why does everything in this state have to be a pay for play people need to stop suggesting this all the time I buy a fishing license to fish the belong to the people I'm sick and tired of paying extra for everything I do just like a snook stamp $20 for nothing the state does not stock any snook States that charge you for a stamp have hatcheries and they stock fish this state you pay for nothing

[@trappertimsadventures2652]

This is the first commercial red snapper video that I've seen and it is awesome

[@roncarlson8061]

One of your best videos, so informative, appreciate the way you explain what you're doing, Aaron

[@xENTREEx]

Awesome that you grew up in canveral. Me to. Small world.

[@ChapterNYCBuildingCode--dh1xy]

Thanks so much for sharing, really great content!

[@livkinry]

Great one, Aaron! 🤗🌻👍

[@kentfey5313]

Aaron in port canaveral, you typically have to catch 15-20 ARS to get one grouper. Trolling live baits on the surface around wrecks and 8A you can get them fairly easy and regularly, I’ve been a capt for over 35 years here and they are more abundant now then ever.

[@deangraham4263]

What you do man is a dream! It's awesome to see someone be super open, thank you again for a great video

[@jrod_813_8]

Just getting back from our trip to marathon. Some good size mahi, a wahoo and had a blue marlin eat one of our mahi. Solid trip. Lobster was a struggle though

[@Maxbfishing]

A midnight video launch. WOKE UP TO Bonus fishing morning w AQUAMAN ❤

[@mikehawk7294]

The rare and endangered red snapper!!

[@tomlpdx]

Thanks for speaking the truth about this. respect to you!

[@juliemanarin4127]

New subscriber here! I love crab and lobster videos and the cook as well!! Great channel!

[@NotAZKool]

Always a pleasure to watch. Thank you for sharing everything you do.

[@mikkimichele51014]

Thank you for what you do. I love the videos, I've learned sooooooo much. Keep filming we'll keep watching.

[@remer702]

When fishing for a designated species e.g Red Snapper, mutton Snapper, blue runner? , tell us your pound test, using a leader length in inches of leader, pound test braid or mono and weight of sinker. It would just make it a little more fun especially when you are broke off- Thanks.

[@michaellombardo7788]

Good day fishing thanks for the video

[@juliafiore120]

Good morning, Aaron☕️Nice surprise to see a new video. Looked like a great day. Now, go get a massage 😝

[@BOAExplore]

Nice Catch.I havent caught a snapper in a long time

[@seekinfindin5669]

Thanks Aaron!!

[@terriwillis6871]

I am so jealous of you man! Lol. I have vacationed in the keys & it's the most beautiful place I've ever been. Watching you get to fish the ocean as much as you do is just a dream to me. Love your videos

[@andrewparry6106]

Cheers for your honesty mate

[@lutherprince9304]

Living the life! Awesome video! Thanks for sharing I appreciate you!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@markespich8574]

That is one heck of rig you’re fishing with. Looks like you are pulling up the bottom.

[@WyadeBrown]

One of the best fish for me

[@kylesplace]

Man I was down there last week (never been before) and would have loved a couple days calmer days to go off shore. It was too rough for me and my 22ft bay boat

[@rickshearer6359]

I'm happy for y'all! I enjoy your content! Your a super diver and spear fisherman! Would love to see some more sea hunts!!!

[@stevenfischer5392]

Great video! I really enjoy fishing for Red Snapper myself! They taste good,and fight good. Here in Ft.Myers its a hike out to get on them, 50-70 miles out. There is alot of them. If a fish needs help its the cobia! Dont see them as much anymore. Snapper are in schools everywhere offshore. Tight lines brother, yall take care!

[@cameronmyers9225]

Another awesome video! Watching this while having fresh red snapper from yesterday’s trip!

[@JustinFlinchum]

I believe in limits. In north Carolina they have closed flounder season. But when you are fishing all you catch is flounder

[@979201]

Keep up the great work brother!

[@lewisspeed3041]

That was tough,you really went hard on this one

[@chrisng5144]

wow lots of fish!

[@miyayo_3055]

Respect your grind💪

[@SctyGrpPowers]

Nice daily $$. To do what you love is a giant bonus. Keep up the great vids.

[@user-xz3sr6wm3j]

I just wanted to say after 10 years Aaron you have now j o i n e d thewhy do today what we can put off till tomorrowlife!I hope you had a good miniseason and soon opening season will be here next week. I've lived here for 55 years. I live edwhere you are four blocks away 30 years ago stay well. Have a good opening day!

[@Veranamo]

Great video. I’m never that productive on the water and am exhausted at the end of the day. Cross fit on the ocean!

[@isickofit]

Ever used sticky chum balls pressed into a wire spiral hooked on your lead? Keeps them close when deep fishing..

[@josedelacampa7066]

What a great video you made in showing in the fish finder were the shark ate your fish

[@markespich8574]

Well,action brings more action.

[@henny_pab3351]

always love the videos!! i’m right here in homestead florida and any chance i get to go out to the keys im there and when i don’t get to go, which is most of the time these weekly videos fill that void

[@Tinfoilhat1000]

Nice man, I envy you in a good way.

[@AllenRienstra]

Great stuff Aaron - keep up the good work!

[@tombryan1]

Making it work, good for you, but you are earning it. Making content is challenging and time consuming.

[@rolandvance6663]

Great video and info 👍🏼

[@rossbryan1587]

Id love to see you go back to Canaveral and make some videos, I know that would be allot of moving parts... But I would enjoy that. Another great vid Aaron thanks!

[@charleshatcliff5588]

Another great vid man. Thanks ! God Bless be safe out there alone.

[@javiersarria359]

On that note I think I’m going to move 😂 those reef donkeys are serious work 💪

[@motolitho1]

Thank you for that sobering breakdown. Passion trumps all else...

[@mmiadragonz]

That Jack is so cool I love those things

[@MareEgretsMoose]

That ARS is one pretty fish. Nice catching, Cap!