GULF CROSSING: DAY 148: Crossing the Gulf of Mexico to Clearwater Anchorage

Tate’s Hell State Forest Anchorage to Clearwater Anchorage: 15.3 mph; 162.6 miles; 10:37 hours


We left Carrabelle at first light and made it to our Clearwater anchorage before sundown - that’s a good day crossing the Gulf. 


The crossing is long and tedious but we had to stay vigilant. We played a game of frogger the closer we got to Clearwater with the crab pots. Florida crab trap markers are child’s play compared to the markers on the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. We use industrial family sized bottles spray painted in Hunter’s Safety Orange for goodness sakes. These guys use something that looks like a ping pong ball painted white and blue! Who can see that? Some had a red stripe and a small few were green or pink. The pots are dropped at 20/30 feet deep all the way up to the shallow channel off Clearwater. The weight of the trap is not supported by the marker and you cant see them when waves are at a foot.


During our crossing, a seagull decided we were a good resting place; he landed on the deck and just walked around for a while. Silly bird!


There are two good anchorages when you come into Clearwater. The first is Anclote Island - pretty straight forward. The second, and it’s tricky - watch your depth finder, is at Three Bar Rooker. We chose Rooker. Fantastic holding and a good night’s sleep.


We also saw the Anastastia diving for sponges!







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