Walton Rocks Beach Fishing

Walton Rocks Beach is a wild-feeling beach on South Hutchinson Island where rock outcrops break up the surf and hold fish. It is a quieter alternative to the busier beaches near Fort Pierce and Jensen Beach.

• Coquina rock outcrops along the shore and in the surf
• Snook on the rocks in summer, pompano and whiting from fall to spring
• Sheepshead around the rocks in winter
• A county park with restrooms and pavilions that doubles as an off-leash dog beach

Walton Rocks Beach is at 6700 South Ocean Drive (A1A) on South Hutchinson Island, south of Fort Pierce and north of Jensen Beach, and is run by St. Lucie County. Florida Power & Light's St. Lucie nuclear plant stands just to the north.

• Getting there: follow A1A south from Fort Pierce or north from Jensen Beach
• Parking: a park lot behind the dunes
• Hours: dawn until dusk, like all county beaches
• The walk: short dune crossovers from the lot to the sand
• Surface: soft sand and uneven, slippery rock

The rocks give this beach both surf fish and structure fish.

• Spring (Mar-May): the last pompano and bluefish, Spanish mackerel, whiting
• Summer (Jun-Aug): snook along the rocks early and late in the day, whiting and croaker in the troughs
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the mullet run brings snook, jacks, bluefish and sharks close to the rocks
• Winter (Dec-Feb): pompano and whiting in the troughs, sheepshead and black drum around the rocks

Bring a surf rod for the troughs and a medium spinning rod for the rocks.

• Pompano and whiting: a double-drop rig with sand fleas or shrimp and a 3-4 oz pyramid sinker in the troughs
• Snook: white bucktail jigs, swimbaits or live mullet worked along the rock edges early in the morning
• Sheepshead: fiddler crabs or shrimp on a strong 1/0 hook right against the rocks
• Bluefish and mackerel: spoons and plugs when bait shows
• Expect to lose some rigs in the rocks; bring spares

South Hutchinson Island has two Atlantic tides a day.

• A rising tide covers the rocks and brings fish in to feed along them
• Low tide is the time to scout the rocks and troughs, then fish them on the rise
• A moderate swell stirs sand fleas for pompano; a big swell makes the rocks dangerous
• The first light after the park opens and the last hour before dusk are best for snook along the rocks
• Clear water fishes best; after a blow, wait for it to settle

Walton Rocks is a natural beach with real hazards.

• The beach is not guarded; do not wade deep and watch for rip currents, which form around the rocks
• The rocks are slippery and sharp; wear shoes and do not climb them in surf
• Dogs run off leash here: keep bait, hooks and fish out of their reach
• Shuffle your feet when wading to avoid stingrays
• Leave the beach at the first sign of summer lightning
• Respect the posted boundaries of the power plant property to the north
• The soft sand and rocks make it hard going for wheelchairs

The park is simple but has the basics for a morning of surf fishing, and the county lists fishing among its uses.

• Restrooms
• Pavilions and picnic tables
• The beach itself is the county's off-leash dog park
• No lifeguards; the county guards only Pepper Park and Waveland
• No bait shop or food; buy bait in Fort Pierce or Jensen Beach on the way
• No lights; the park is open dawn to dusk

• Scout the rock outcrops at low tide, then fish their edges as the tide rises
• Snook hunt the rocks at first light in summer; a white jig is the go-to lure
• Sheepshead gather around the rocks in winter; fiddler crabs are the bait
• The troughs between the rocks hold pompano after cold fronts
• Bring spare rigs; the rocks take their share
• It is the county's dog beach, so fish a little away from the crowd and be patient with four-legged visitors

Walton Rocks Beach is a St. Lucie County park.

• The park is open dawn to dusk
• Dogs are allowed off leash on the beach but must be leashed if they bother people or other dogs
• Stay out of posted areas of the neighboring power plant property
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Shore-based shark fishing needs the free FWC permit
• Snook and tarpon have their own seasons and release rules; check FWC before keeping any snook
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything