IT'S A DOGS LIFE
SAILING AROUND THE WORLD WITH SPIRIT OF ARGO
IT'S A DOGS LIFE
SAILING AROUND THE WORLD WITH SPIRIT OF ARGO
Bahamas United States

Passage from the Abacos to Florida, Fort Pierce ~ Our best fishing yet

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With the threat of the first tropical  storm of the season forming very close by we decided, with a heavy heart, to leave our beloved Abacos.

We had originally planned to cross over to Cape Canaveral, Florida, but  the wind strength and direction dictated a more ‘due west’ approach to the American coastline.  We chose Fort Pierce, Florida instead..

The weather reflected our feelings about being pushed to leave and we were chased out by a squall that dumped ‘buckets’ of rain, clearing the decks of any sand left over from the beaches of the Bahamas.

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The squall quickly passed, the sun came out and we were becalmed with little or no wind.  We were forced to motor sail the first section of the journey along the outer barrier reef.

I don't mind no wind if it makes the seas flat calm for me. It is only the silly humans that worry about the cost of fuel
I don’t mind no wind if it makes the seas flat calm for me. It is only the silly humans that worry about the cost of fuel
Look how flat the Atlantic Ocean is after weeks of no wind.
Look how flat the Atlantic Ocean is after weeks of no wind.

We decided to travel on the Atlantic side of the Cays, rather than through the Sea of Abaco, hoping that the fishing would be better.  And we were not disappointed.

Unfortunately it was also a great fishing ground for sharks, and they decided to ‘take a bite’ out of the competition.

But we won in the end. A Wahoo, minus his tail.
But we won in the end. A Wahoo, minus his tail.

We also got a Crevalle Jack, but had to throw him back as large examples can some times carry ciguatera, a type of reef fish food poisoning.

In the morning the winds picked up as we cleared the barrier reef of the Abacos and headed out across the Florida Straight.IMG_6261

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Our fishing luck continued with a few Mahi Maui (also called Dorado or Dolphin fish). We even picked up a Black Finned Tuna just off the coast, making it a 'grand slam' for favourite eating fish.
Our fishing luck continued with a few Mahi Maui (also called Dorado or Dolphin fish). We even picked up a Black Finned Tuna just off the coast, making it a ‘grand slam’ for favourite eating fish.

The low-lying coast of Florida took for ever to come into view, in fact we could smell it long before distant high-rise buildings came up over the horizon.  The mainland smelt of heady earth mixed with car exhaust fumes.  As we made the final approach to the breakwater at Fort Pierce Inlet we could make out distinct smells of herbs like mint and sage.  All very weird!

The inlet was wide and very well buoyed.
The inlet was wide and very well buoyed.

 

The coast line here is very pretty. They have put the industrial docks at the back of the inlet and turned the entrance coast into parkland.
The coast line here is very pretty. They have put the industrial docks at the back of the inlet and turned the entrance coast into parkland.

We had made it to the USA alright.

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The cruisers guide Active Captain recommended an anchorage at the north end of the large ships turning circle in the back industrial section.  But as we were coming in we saw a lovely beach on the south side of the channel which looked so much nicer for ME.  So we anchored up here instead.

Anchored off a little urban beach park. Suits us just fine.
Anchored off a little urban beach park. Suits us just fine.
We had the view of estuaries and wetland on the other side of the inlet. We just got in and settled before the began to set.
We had the view of estuaries and wetland on the other side of the inlet. We just got in and settled before the began to set.

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We have made it to the land of plenty!

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