What Radio Island Offers and How to Fish It

Radio Island sits in Bogue Sound just south of Beaufort, accessible by a short drive down Radio Island Road off Highway 70. The island itself is a maritime forest preserve, but the real fishing happens in the shallow sound waters and the deeper channel that runs along its eastern edge. You can launch a small boat or kayak from the public ramp at the end of Radio Island Road, or wade the flats on the sound side when the tide is low. The water here rarely exceeds eight feet, and the bottom is a mix of sand and mud that holds both striped bass and flounder depending on the season.

The channel along the island's east side is where larger stripers hold during fall and winter, especially on the incoming tide. Spring brings flounder to the shallower flats as they move inward to spawn. Summer is slower for stripers but decent for Spanish mackerel and bluefish if you're willing to cast topwater early and late. The sound side offers protection from ocean swells, making it a good choice when the Atlantic is rough or when you want to fish without fighting current.

Key Takeaways

  • Radio Island Road ends at a public boat ramp with parking; the channel on the island's east side holds stripers in fall and winter.
  • Spring flounder fishing is strong on the shallow flats, especially during the incoming tide in March and April.
  • The sound waters are shallow and protected, making this a reliable spot when ocean conditions are poor elsewhere.
  • Kayakers and waders can access the flats on the sound side; small boats work the deeper channel and the mouth where it meets Bogue Sound proper.

Seasonal Patterns and What to Target

Fall is the strongest season at Radio Island. Striped bass move into the sound in September and October as water temperatures drop, and they concentrate in the channel where deeper water holds cooler temperatures longer. Live mullet or spot work well, as do topwater plugs and soft plastics worked along the channel edges. The incoming tide is best; fish the last two hours of the rise and the first hour of the slack.

Winter fishing slows but does not stop. Stripers remain in the channel, though they are less aggressive. Slow presentations—live bait fished on the bottom or small jigs worked deliberately—outperform faster retrieves. Water temperature can drop into the low 40s, so fish move less and eat less often.

Spring brings flounder. As water warms into the 50s and 60s, flounder move from deeper offshore waters into the sound to spawn. The flats on the sound side of Radio Island are prime habitat. Fish the incoming tide with live shrimp or small mullet, or bounce small jigs along the bottom. April is typically the peak month.

Summer is quiet for stripers but worth a try for Spanish mackerel and bluefish early in the morning or at dusk. The shallow water warms quickly, and most stripers move back out to deeper sound or ocean waters.

Access and Parking

Radio Island Road runs south from Highway 70 just west of Beaufort. Follow it to the end, where you will find a public boat ramp, parking area, and a small pier. The ramp is maintained by the state and is free to use. Parking fills quickly on weekends, especially in fall, so arrive early if you plan to launch a boat.

If you do not have a boat, you can wade the sound-side flats from the beach area near the ramp. The walk is short, and the water is shallow enough to wade in most places at low tide. Kayakers can launch from the ramp as well and paddle into the shallows or along the channel edge.

Tackle and Bait That Work Here

For stripers, bring medium-weight spinning or casting gear spooled with 12- to 20-pound braid or monofilament. A 7-foot rod gives you enough reach to cast into the channel from a kayak or small boat. Live mullet or spot are the most reliable baits; if you cannot find them locally, shiners work in a pinch. Topwater plugs and soft plastics in natural colors—pearl, chartreuse, and white—are effective when fish are feeding actively.

Flounder fishing calls for lighter tackle: 8- to 10-pound line and a 6- to 6.5-foot rod. Live shrimp is the standard bait, fished on a simple rig with a small sinker and a circle hook. Small jigs—quarter-ounce to half-ounce—tipped with shrimp or fished plain also work well. Flounder are not aggressive strikers, so you need to feel the bottom and detect the subtle take.

Spanish mackerel and bluefish in summer respond to small topwater plugs, spoons, and soft plastics. Bring 15- to 20-pound line and a medium-action rod. These fish are fast and aggressive, so you can fish faster retrieves and brighter colors.

Tides and Timing

Radio Island sits in a tidal system where the range is typically 3 to 4 feet. The incoming tide is almost always better than the outgoing, especially for stripers in the channel. Fish move into the sound on the rise, feeding as they go. The last two hours of the incoming tide and the first hour of slack are prime time.

For flounder on the flats, the incoming tide is also preferred, but the window is longer. Flounder will feed throughout the rise and into the slack. Low tide can be productive too if you are wading, because the water is shallower and fish are concentrated.

Check tide tables for Beaufort Inlet before you go. The timing at Radio Island is close to Beaufort proper, so use those predictions as your guide.

What to Watch Out For

The channel can develop a strong current on the incoming tide, especially during spring tides. If you are in a kayak or small boat, stay alert and do not drift too far into the main flow. The water is shallow enough that you can pole or paddle out of trouble, but it is easier to avoid it in the first place.

Shallow water means you can run aground easily if you are not paying attention to your depth. Keep a pole or paddle handy so you can push off if needed. At low tide, the flats can be impassable for anything but a kayak or a very shallow-draft skiff.

Mosquitoes can be fierce in summer and early fall, especially on calm, humid evenings. Bring insect repellent and consider long sleeves if you are wading.

Nearby Options If Radio Island Is Crowded

If the ramp is full or you want to explore nearby, Grayden Paul Park offers another launch point into Bogue Sound, about two miles west. The fishing is similar—shallow sound water with stripers in fall and flounder in spring. The park has more amenities and less crowding on weekends.

Shackleford Banks, just across Bogue Sound to the south, offers deeper water and ocean-side access if you want to fish the Atlantic side. The run is short, and the banks hold stripers, Spanish mackerel, and drum depending on the season. You will need a boat to reach it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish Radio Island from shore without a boat?

Yes. You can wade the flats on the sound side, especially at low tide. The walk from the parking area is short, and the water is shallow enough to reach productive areas on foot. A kayak is also an option if you have one.

What is the best month to fish for stripers at Radio Island?

October is typically the strongest month. Water temperatures drop into the 60s, and stripers move into the sound in good numbers. September and November are also productive, but October usually offers the most consistent action.

Do I need a special permit to fish Radio Island?

You need a North Carolina fishing license if you are 16 or older. A saltwater recreational license is required for saltwater species like stripers and flounder. You can purchase one online or at most tackle shops in Beaufort.

Is the boat ramp open year-round?

Yes, the ramp is open year-round and free to use. Parking can be tight on weekends, especially in fall, so plan to arrive early if you are launching a boat.

What should I do if I get stuck on a shallow flat?

If you are in a kayak, simply get out and wade. If you are in a small boat, use a pole or paddle to push off shallow water. Carry a push pole or spare paddle for this reason. The water is shallow enough that you are never in danger, but it is easy to avoid getting stuck by watching your depth.