What Figure Eight Island offers anglers

Figure Eight Island is a private residential community on the northern Wilmington coast, but the surrounding waters—the Intracoastal Waterway, Banks Channel, and the Atlantic Ocean—hold some of the most consistent saltwater fishing in the region. You won't fish from the island itself unless you own property there, but the public waters that border it are accessible from nearby boat ramps and piers, and they hold redfish, flounder, spotted seatrout, and Spanish mackerel depending on the season. The real draw is that these waters sit at the transition between the sound system and open ocean, which means you get both shallow-water sight-fishing opportunities and deeper-channel structure in a compact area.

The Intracoastal Waterway runs directly behind Figure Eight Island and is where most anglers spend their time. The water here ranges from three to eight feet deep, with oyster bars, grass flats, and dredged channels that hold fish year-round. Banks Channel, which separates Figure Eight from Wrightsville Beach, offers slightly deeper water and is a reliable spot for flounder and larger redfish. If you have a boat that can handle the inlet, the ocean side near the island produces Spanish mackerel and king mackerel in spring and fall.

Key Takeaways

  • The Intracoastal Waterway behind Figure Eight Island holds redfish and spotted seatrout in shallow grass and oyster-bar habitat year-round.
  • Banks Channel between Figure Eight and Wrightsville Beach is the best spot for flounder and larger redfish, especially in summer and fall.
  • Launch from Wrightsville Beach Park, Airlie Gardens, or Carolina Beach Inlet—all within 10 minutes of Figure Eight waters.
  • Spring and fall bring Spanish mackerel and king mackerel to the ocean side; summer is peak season for redfish and flounder in the sound.
  • Tides matter more here than in most Mid-Atlantic waters because the narrow channels funnel water and concentrate fish during moving water.

Where to launch and how to access the water

You cannot launch directly from Figure Eight Island, but three public ramps put you on the water within minutes. Wrightsville Beach Park has a two-lane public ramp on the sound side, parking for about 30 vehicles, and a small fee (usually $5 to $7 per day). This is the closest launch to Figure Eight and puts you directly into Banks Channel. The ramp can get crowded on weekends, especially in summer, and the parking lot fills by mid-morning on good weather days.

Airlie Gardens, just south of Wrightsville Beach, has a smaller ramp with less traffic and easier parking, though the lot is tighter. This launch puts you into the Intracoastal Waterway and is a good choice if you want to avoid the crowds at Wrightsville Beach Park. Carolina Beach Inlet is farther south but offers the deepest water and the most direct access to the ocean side of Figure Eight if you're targeting Spanish mackerel or king mackerel. All three ramps are maintained year-round, though winter storms can occasionally close them temporarily.

If you don't have a boat, Wrightsville Beach Fishing Pier extends into Banks Channel and allows day-use fishing for a small fee. The pier is good for Spanish mackerel, flounder, and pompano, though it gets crowded in summer. Several charter boats operate out of Wrightsville Beach and run trips into the Figure Eight waters; ask at the tackle shops on Wrightsville Avenue for current operators and rates.

Redfish and spotted seatrout in the Intracoastal

The Intracoastal Waterway behind Figure Eight is redfish water. The shallow grass flats and oyster bars hold reds year-round, but they're most active and easiest to sight-fish from April through October. In spring (April and May), redfish move shallow to feed on baitfish and crustaceans; you'll find them in two to four feet of water over grass, and they respond well to topwater plugs and soft plastics. Summer (June through August) is peak season—the water is warm, reds are aggressive, and you can sight-fish on the flats in early morning or late afternoon when the sun angle is low.

Spotted seatrout share the same habitat as redfish but prefer slightly deeper water and are more active in the dredged channels and along the edges of the grass flats. They bite best on the incoming tide, especially in spring and fall. Use small soft plastics (2 to 3 inches) in natural colors—pearl, chartreuse, or mullet patterns—and work them slowly along the channel edges. Fall (September through November) is excellent for both species as water temperatures drop and fish feed heavily before winter.

Winter fishing in the Intracoastal is slower but not dead. Redfish and seatrout move into the deeper channels and around structure like dock pilings and oyster bars. You'll catch fewer fish, but they tend to be larger. Use live shrimp or small mullet under a popping cork in December through February, and focus on the deeper holes in the Intracoastal where fish concentrate during cold snaps.

Flounder in Banks Channel and the deeper water

Banks Channel, the water between Figure Eight Island and Wrightsville Beach, is the best flounder ground in the Wilmington area. Flounder are bottom-feeders that prefer structure and current, and Banks Channel has both—the channel is dredged to 12 to 15 feet in places, with hard bottom and shell beds that hold baitfish. Summer (June through September) is peak flounder season. Fish the channel edges and the deeper holes with live mullet or spot on a simple rig: a three-way swivel with a 12-inch leader to a 1/4-ounce sinker and a 18-inch leader to a circle hook.

Flounder bite best on moving water, so time your trips for the first two hours of incoming tide or the last two hours of outgoing tide. Early morning is better than midday because flounder are less active in bright light. Fall flounder (October and November) are larger and more aggressive than summer fish, and they're still abundant in Banks Channel before they migrate offshore for winter.

If you're fishing from the Wrightsville Beach Pier, flounder are a reliable target in summer. Drop a live mullet or spot to the bottom and hold it there; flounder will find it. The pier also produces pompano and Spanish mackerel, especially in the morning.

Spanish mackerel and seasonal ocean fishing

The ocean side of Figure Eight Island, accessible from Carolina Beach Inlet or by running through Wrightsville Inlet, produces Spanish mackerel in spring and fall. Spanish mackerel are fast, aggressive, and abundant—they school in the nearshore water (100 to 300 yards off the beach) and bite small shiny lures. Spring runs (April and May) bring the first wave of fish; fall runs (September through November) are usually heavier and the fish are larger.

Fish Spanish mackerel with small spoons (1/2 to 3/4 ounce) or small soft plastics on light tackle. Cast near structure—sandbars, drop-offs, and the edges of the inlet—and retrieve steadily. Spanish mackerel are sight-feeders and respond to fast-moving lures. If you see birds working baitfish, run toward them; mackerel are usually underneath.

King mackerel also show up in fall (October and November) in deeper water off Figure Eight. Kings require heavier tackle and larger baits—live mullet or mackerel on a wire leader—and they're more of a specialized target. Most anglers fishing the nearshore water for Spanish mackerel will occasionally hook a king, but dedicated king fishing usually means running farther offshore.

Tides and timing at Figure Eight

Tides matter more at Figure Eight than in most Wilmington waters because the narrow channels of the Intracoastal and Banks Channel funnel water and concentrate fish. On a moving tide—especially the first two hours of incoming or the last two hours of outgoing—fish feed actively and are easier to catch. Slack tide (the period between tides when water movement stops) is usually slow, and many anglers leave the water during slack.

Check the tide tables for Wrightsville Beach or Carolina Beach Inlet before you fish. The tide at Figure Eight runs about 15 to 20 minutes behind the inlet, so adjust accordingly. Spring tides (the largest tidal range) occur around the new and full moon and produce the strongest current and the best fishing. Neap tides (the smallest range) occur around the quarter moons and are usually slower.

Time your trips for early morning (first light to mid-morning) or late afternoon (two hours before sunset to dark). These windows are when most fish feed, and the lower sun angle makes sight-fishing easier. Midday fishing is possible but slower, especially in summer when the sun is high and the water is bright.

Tackle and bait for Figure Eight waters

For redfish and seatrout in the Intracoastal, use a 6 to 7-foot medium-light spinning rod with 15 to 20-pound braided line. Braid is sensitive and lets you feel the bottom and detect strikes in shallow water. Carry soft plastics (2 to 4 inches) in natural colors, topwater plugs for early morning, and a popping cork with live shrimp for slower days. A small net is useful for landing redfish in shallow water.

For flounder in Banks Channel, switch to a 6.5 to 7-foot medium rod with 20-pound braided line and a 20-pound fluorocarbon leader. Use live mullet or spot on a three-way rig with a small sinker. Flounder have soft mouths, so use circle hooks and let them hook themselves rather than setting hard.

For Spanish mackerel, use a 6 to 6.5-foot medium-light rod with 15-pound braided line and a 12-inch fluorocarbon leader (mackerel have sharp teeth but are not as aggressive as kings). Small spoons and soft plastics work well. For king mackerel, step up to 20-pound braided line and a wire leader, and use larger baits or lures.

Live bait is usually better than dead bait in these waters. Mullet, spot, and shrimp are available at tackle shops on Wrightsville Avenue or at the Carolina Beach Inlet. If you're sight-fishing for redfish, artificial lures often outperform bait because they're more active and easier to cast accurately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish from Figure Eight Island itself?

No. Figure Eight Island is a private residential community, and only property owners and their guests can access it. The surrounding public waters—the Intracoastal, Banks Channel, and the ocean—are open to fishing from boats and public piers.

What's the best time of year to fish Figure Eight?

Spring (April and May) and fall (September through November) are excellent for redfish, seatrout, and Spanish mackerel. Summer (June through August) is peak season for flounder and redfish. Winter is slower but still productive if you focus on deeper channels and structure.

Do I need a boat to fish Figure Eight?

No. Wrightsville Beach Fishing Pier extends into Banks Channel and allows day-use fishing. Several charter boats operate out of Wrightsville Beach and run trips into the Figure Eight waters. If you have a boat, you have more options, but the pier and charters are good alternatives.

What's the difference between Banks Channel and the Intracoastal?

Banks Channel is the deeper water (12 to 15 feet) between Figure Eight Island and Wrightsville Beach and is best for flounder and larger redfish. The Intracoastal behind Figure Eight is shallower (3 to 8 feet) with grass flats and oyster bars, and is better for sight-fishing redfish and seatrout.

How do tides affect fishing at Figure Eight?

Moving tides concentrate fish and trigger feeding. Fish the first two hours of incoming tide or the last two hours of outgoing tide for the best results. Slack tide (between tides) is usually slow. Check tide tables for Wrightsville Beach and adjust for the 15 to 20-minute lag at Figure Eight.