Virginia Forrest Beach Fishing

Virginia Forrest Beach is a quiet strip of Hutchinson Island sand with no lifeguards, no crowds and room to cast. It suits anglers who like to walk the trough and read the surf.

• Open Atlantic surf on a secluded stretch north of Stuart
• Pompano, whiting and croaker in the cooler months
• Snook, jacks and sharks along the beach in warm weather
• A small parking area with a short walk to the sand

The beach access is on NE Ocean Boulevard on Hutchinson Island, between Stuart and Jensen Beach, and is one of Martin County's public beaches.

• Look for a small green sign with a beach umbrella; the parking lot entrance is just after it
• Parking: a small lot of hard-packed dirt under sea grape trees; it fills early on nice weekends
• No lifeguards or showers are listed
• Walk: a short path over the dune to the beach
• Fees and hours: none confirmed; listings disagree on restrooms, so read the signs at the lot

This is a classic east coast surf, and the catch follows the water temperature.

• Spring (Mar-May): pompano and whiting linger, bluefish and Spanish mackerel when schools pass
• Summer (Jun-Aug): snook in the trough at dawn and dusk, jacks, ladyfish and blacktip sharks
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the mullet run brings snook, jacks and tarpon close; pompano and whiting begin to arrive
• Winter (Dec-Feb): pompano, whiting, croaker and an occasional permit in the cooler surf

Surf rods of 9 to 11 feet with 10 to 20 lb line cover most conditions.

• Pompano and whiting: a double-hook dropper-loop rig with 1/0 to 2/0 hooks, 2 to 4 oz pyramid sinker, and shrimp, sand-flea or Fishbites-style baits
• Snook: a live mullet or pilchard, or a white bucktail or swimming plug, worked along the trough
• Jacks and Spanish mackerel: a silver spoon or a Gotcha plug cast past the break
• Use a sand spike so you can watch two rods

The Atlantic here has two highs and two lows a day.

• A rising tide into high water brings fish into the trough close to the dunes
• Look for a dark gut or a rip cutting through the break; fish the edges of it
• A light onshore breeze and slightly stained water is good for pompano
• Calm, clear water is better for snook at first light
• Strong easterlies bring weed and heavy surf

This is an unguarded beach, and the surf can be rough.

• No lifeguards: swim only with care, and watch the rip currents
• Shuffle your feet to warn stingrays
• Leave the beach at the first thunder, since there is no shelter
• The dunes and sea grapes are protected; stay on the path
• Bring water, shade and bug spray
• Access: a short walk over soft sand, so not ideal for wheelchairs

This is a simple pocket beach.

• A small unpaved parking lot
• No lifeguards or showers
• No restrooms or bait shop confirmed, so bring bait, ice and water
• The nearest stores are a short drive along A1A
• Cell service is usually good, but carry a charged phone

• Arrive at first light for parking and for the best snook and pompano bite
• Shrimp from a nearby bait shop beat frozen bait for pompano
• Walk the beach at low tide and note the troughs, then fish them as the tide rises
• Bring a rod holder and a long-handled net for the surf
• Take your line and trash with you; the beach is lightly used and kept that way
• If the lot is full, other Martin County beach accesses on Hutchinson Island are a short drive along A1A

This is a Martin County public beach access.

• No fishing rule specific to this access was found; read any posted signs
• Fishing within guarded beaches during guarded hours is barred by the county, and this beach is listed as unguarded
• Do not leave baits or lines unattended near other beachgoers
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Shore-based shark fishing needs a free FWC permit
• Snook, tarpon and permit have their own rules; check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything