Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge Beach Fishing

Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge Beach is the wild end of Jupiter Island: no buildings, few people and a long run of beach to fish.

• Surf fishing is permitted on the refuge beach year-round
• Pompano, whiting and bluefish in the cooler months; snook and jacks in summer and fall
• A steep beach that puts deep water within a short cast
• No lifeguards, few facilities and usually few people

The refuge beach is at the end of North Beach Road at the north end of Jupiter Island, north of Hobe Sound. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages it.

• Getting there: take Bridge Road east across the Intracoastal, turn left at the ocean by Hobe Sound Beach and follow North Beach Road north until it ends at the refuge
• Fees: a $5 daily vehicle pass (exact change at the canister at the beach entrance, online, or at the Hobe Sound Nature Center) or a $25 annual pass (online or at the Nature Center)
• A current signed Federal Duck Stamp or an Interagency Pass waives the fee
• Parking: a lot at the end of the road; the beach is little known, so there is usually space
• Hours: sunrise to sunset

This is open Atlantic surf, and the fish follow the seasons.

• Spring (Mar-May): the last pompano and bluefish, whiting, Spanish mackerel on clear days
• Summer (Jun-Aug): snook along the beach at dawn, whiting, jacks
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the mullet run brings snook, jacks, bluefish, redfish and blacktip sharks close in
• Winter (Dec-Feb): pompano, whiting and bluefish, best after cold fronts
• The refuge also lists spot and flounder among its catches

Pack light enough to walk the sand, but bring a rod that can reach the first trough.

• Pompano and whiting: a pompano rig with sand fleas, clams or shrimp on a 3-4 oz pyramid sinker
• Bluefish and Spanish mackerel: silver spoons and small jigs on a short wire leader
• Snook: white bucktail jigs or swimbaits along the first trough at dawn
• During the mullet run: live or cut mullet on heavier gear for jacks, redfish and sharks
• A 9-11 foot surf rod with 15-20 lb line and a sand spike covers most days

Jupiter Island has two Atlantic tides a day.

• A rising tide, from mid-tide to high, is usually best for pompano and whiting
• The steep beach means fish feed close in; do not overcast
• A light northeast swell after a cold front brings pompano in; a big swell makes it unfishable
• Summer mornings are calm and clear, best for snook and before the heat
• Onshore wind and weed make fishing hard; offshore breezes flatten the surf

This is an undeveloped beach with no lifeguards, so take care.

• The water gets deep within a few steps; do not wade out to cast
• Rip currents form along the beach, especially in a northeast swell
• There is little shade and no drinking water; bring plenty of water and sun protection
• Leave the beach when summer thunderstorms build
• Expect a walk over soft sand from the lot to the water, which is hard going with a heavy cart
• Sea turtles nest here through the warm months; keep off marked nests and fill any holes

Facilities are minimal by design.

• A parking lot at the end of North Beach Road
• Portable toilets
• A wooden observation platform on top of the dune
• Fishing line disposal containers; please use them
• No lifeguards, food, water or bait; bring everything with you

• Buy the pass ahead or bring exact change for the canister
• Walk north from the lot to find empty beach and fresh troughs
• Look for troughs and cuts at low tide, then fish them on the rising tide
• Buy fresh sand fleas or clams before you come for winter pompano, and leave the refuge's wildlife undisturbed
• Plan to be off the beach by sunset, when the refuge closes
• Leave the dog at home; pets are not allowed on the refuge beach

The beach is part of the Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

• Beaches and trails are open from sunrise to sunset
• Sport fishing is permitted with rods and reels or poles and lines only, kept attended, so leave cast nets at home; the refuge also limits how many rods each angler may fish, so check its rules
• No pets, fires, camping, drones or metal detectors, and no disturbing sea turtles or their nests
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt, and state and refuge rules both apply
• Shore-based shark fishing needs the free FWC permit
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything