Tiger Shores Beach Fishing

Tiger Shores Beach is a small, uncrowded surf-fishing access on Hutchinson Island, reached by a short boardwalk through the dune. It is the kind of beach where anglers set rods in sand spikes and wait.

• Open Atlantic surf with an unguarded, quiet shoreline
• Whiting, pompano, bluefish and jacks from the trough and first bar
• A nearshore reef about 1,000 feet east of the access
• Free parking next to the sand

The access is at 3233 NE Ocean Boulevard on Hutchinson Island and is run by Martin County Parks and Recreation. The county says all of its public beaches allow fishing from the beach.

• Parking: a small free lot beside the dune, so arrive early on weekends
• Walk: a short wooden boardwalk to the sand, then soft sand
• Showers: reported at the boardwalk
• Lifeguards: none; this is an unguarded access
• Hours: not confirmed, so check the signs

This is a classic east-coast surf bite, with the reef adding variety.

• Spring (Mar-May): pompano and whiting in the trough, bluefish on bait schools
• Summer (Jun-Aug): jacks, ladyfish and small sharks at dawn; mangrove snapper on the reef side if you can reach it
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the mullet run draws snook, jacks and bluefish along the bar
• Winter (Dec-Feb): pompano and whiting after cold fronts, plus sheepshead around the reef

Use a 9 to 11 foot surf rod and 15 to 20 lb line, with a sand spike to hold it.

• Whiting and pompano: a two-hook pompano rig with sand fleas, fresh shrimp or Fishbites, fished in the trough
• Jacks and bluefish: a cut mullet or a spoon cast past the first bar
• Snook: a live pilchard or mullet on a float at first light
• Reef fish: a heavy bottom rig with cut bait, if you can cast the distance
• Bring or buy bait; do not dig it on the beach

The Atlantic here has two highs and two lows a day, and the bar and trough shift with the swell.

• Fish the rising tide and the hour either side of high water
• Dawn and dusk are best, and quieter than midday
• A light onshore breeze brings fish into the trough
• Heavy surf after a storm rolls in weed and muddies the water
• Clear green water after a week of calm weather is ideal

There is no lifeguard, so you are on your own.

• Rip currents can form along any open beach; do not wade deep with a rod
• Summer afternoon lightning is common; head for the car at the first thunder
• Shuffle your feet to warn stingrays
• Bring water and sun protection; there is little shade
• Access: a boardwalk, then soft sand; not suited to wheelchairs

This is a basic access.

• Free parking close to the sand
• A short boardwalk over the dune
• Outdoor showers reported
• No restrooms or lifeguards confirmed
• No bait shop at the beach; stock up in Stuart or Jensen Beach before you go

• Bring everything you need; there are no shops at the beach
• Dawn is the best window, and the lot is empty then
• A stubby sand spike and a long rod keep your line clear of swimmers
• Pack your trash; fishing line left on the sand harms turtles and birds
• Check the surf report; a gentle swell makes the trough easier to read
• Stay away from the county's full-service beach parks to the north and south, where fishing is banned

Tiger Shores is a Martin County beach access.

• The county's tourism office says all county public beaches allow fishing from the beach
• Martin County code bans fishing at its full-service beach parks, and limits shark fishing and chumming near them; this access is outside those parks, but read the posted signs
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Snook have their own rules; check FWC
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything