Mullet Key Bayou

[FalconFlyer]

Hello everyone.... was wondering if anyone had experience anchoring at Mullet Key Bayou just north of the Tampa Bay Inlet? I have a 390MY and was thinking of anchoring there for a couple of days with our small 15 foot whaler in tow... any feedback would be greatly appreciated other than what is listed on Cruiser's Net map... thanks in advance...

 

[griff4]

Hi Falcon Flyer: We might be interested in anchoring there too. Our usual boating spots are Shell Key or Egmont Key, but we have not overnighted there. We made the mistake of going to Shell Key today and the water was too rough. Let us know what, if anything you have found out about Mullet Key Bayou as an overnight anchorage. Thanks, Griff4

 

[BOXERDOGTY]

It's been a few years since I've anchored out there. But what I remember is that 1) It's a nice place. 2) Well protected. 3) Lots of VERY shallow spots. Follow the channel in and make sure you anchor in the deepest area (middle.) We woke up in the morning to a low tide and another boat closer to shore was high and dry on its side! 4) Bunce's pass is unmarked and tricky. You may want to come in from the east (Sky Way channel) the first time.

 

[FalconFlyer]

Thanks for the information Boxerdogty.... I plan on doing just that coming in from the east. I draft 3.5-4 feet so I don't have much of a choice. One of the tips I heard was perhaps come in at low tide so that way you know where the shallow spots are. When you were there, what were the soundings in the middle, the chart shows 16 feet or so... is that what you encountered?

 

[FalconFlyer]

Griff4... if you are looking for a little trip... come up by us in by Tarpoon Springs... at 3 Rooker Island... we overnight there all of the time and on the weekend there is no less than 20-30 boats there....

 

[griff4]

FalconFlyer: Did you actually locate a chart of Mullet Key Bayou? I have looked on line and found nothing with any detail of Mullet Key Bayou, itself. Thanks. Griff4

 

[FalconFlyer]

Hey Griff4... .I use the iPad Navtronics map which is always up to date... in addition they just added auto routing. This in combination with Google maps gives you really good overview.

 

[griff4]

Hey FalconFlyer: I visited West marine to check into charts of Mullet Key Bayou. They had about the same as what I already have. Not large or too much detail. At mean low water there is 5 or 6 feet of depth in the middle. Which means high tide could be 10 feet. There is a marked channel in there from Bunces Pass. I actually drove there today with the admiral to check the place out. Spoke with the head ranger. No problem about anchoring there overnight. No ranger reservation required. After dark, no entry allowed from anchored boats to the island. The admiral is not too thrilled about overnighting there because the beach is not really nearby. But let us know if you plan to visit or overnight there and we may stop by. As the crow flies, we are probably only 10 miles away from Bunces Pass. Use the email feature to reply. Griff4