Hutchinson Island, Florida
On The Fly Saltwater
September 2024
Article and photos by Jimmy Jacobs
The On The Fly South crew had just completed checking out the ICAST show (International Convention of American Sportfishing Trades) in Orlando, Florida. It was now time to head to the coast for some fishing.
Annually we have taken this opportunity in the heat of Florida’s July summer to target snook on the beaches, when those fish are right up in the surf. Unfortunately, this year the fish were not there when we arrived on the southeast coast’s Hutchinson Island at Jenson Beach.
As with most areas of the Sunshine State, if one angling door closes, there’s likely several more located close by. In this case, the region from Fort Pierce on the north down to St. Lucie Inlet in the south has a number of potential do-it-yourself hotspots that are very conveniently found nearby. Here’s a look at several of those that are good for anglers on foot, starting at Fort Pierce and working south.
Bear Point Sanctuary
At roughly 3 miles south of the Fort Pierce Inlet via State Route A1A (newly named the Jimmy Buffet Memorial Highway), this preserve is located on the inside shore of the island. A parking area is provided, offering access to a gated dirt road running along the shore for half a mile.
Along that way there is an opening where water is pumped into the adjacent mosquito control canal, a pier on that same canal and a bridge across it. All of these allow some room for casting a fly. The canal holds snook that are particularly active when current is moving in the waterway.
Additionally, at the parking area there’s a kayak landing from which it’s possible to wade fish along the shore of the main lagoon in both directions. This is a better area when the tide is rising. Redfish, snook, seatrout and jack crevalle are all possible catches here.
Vitolo Family Preserve North
Traveling another 1.5 miles south on A1A, the dirt road leading into the Vitolo Family Preserve North appears on the lagoon side of the road. At the point the road is gated, a short walk brings you to the lagoon shore, where there is a two-level observation deck. To the left (south) a cleared area offers casting room to the lagoon and to the mosquito canal where pumps exchange the water from the lagoon to the canal.
Also, by walking to the north along the levee road there are a couple of culverts where the tide enters and exits the canals. The water just in front of these sometimes harbors snook. The lagoon waters along here can have reds, trout and jacks as well.
Blind Creek Riverside North
This spot is 1.2 miles south of the Vitolo Family Preserve North entrance along A1A. There’s room for parking at the start of the dirt road located here. You can then slip through gaps in the mangroves to access a wadable flat along the shore.
The grass flat in front of this access is noted for holding some seatrout during all months of the year.
Herman Bay to Normandy
The shoreline along the Indian River Lagoon across the island from the Herman Bay Beach Access, south to the Normandy Beach Access is a great place for wade fishing. Beginning at the small cove at the north end known as Grandma’s Pocket, a sandbar parallels the southwest facing shore. This site holds seatrout year-round, but the December to March period offers the best action. Also, some good snook fishing is available from June to September.
Once the shoreline begins paralleling the highway to the south, it is possible to park and wade fish the entire length of this long and shallow cove. It is another area noted for holding trout all year.
The Causeways
Continuing south, Causeway Boulevard runs west to cross the lagoon. The first bridge you cross on this route holds a deeper channel beneath it. There is good access to the seawall on the western side. Tossing sinking or intermediate lines here can provides some action for snook all year. From October to January the fishing gets really good, turning excellent in February to April.
Finally, farther south, A1A turns west to also cross a causeway to the mainland. The first bridge crossed, and the western end of the second one are noted for holding snook. Both of these are best fished on the incoming tide. The linesides are present here on the same annual schedule as at the Causeway Boulevard bridge.
Summing It Up
This area on Hutchinson Island usually offers great snook action on the beaches during summer. But, if Mother Nature is being a bit fickle, turn your attention to the Indian River and give these sites a try.
