What You'll Find at Radio Island Jetty

Radio Island Jetty is a public fishing pier in Swansboro, a small coastal town in Onslow County on North Carolina's Crystal Coast. The jetty extends into the White Oak River estuary and offers steady access to flounder, black drum, and mullet year-round, with occasional catches of spotted seatrout and Spanish mackerel during warmer months. The structure is rock-built, roughly 400 feet long, and sits in shallow to moderate water that rarely exceeds 12 feet at the end.

The jetty is popular with both locals and visiting anglers because it requires no boat and no fee. Parking is free and immediate, and the walk from the parking area to the pier takes less than five minutes. The water here is calmer than ocean-facing piers because the jetty sits inside the estuary, protected from Atlantic swells. This makes it a good choice for beginners, families, and anyone who prefers stable footing over rough conditions.

Key Takeaways

  • Radio Island Jetty is a free, public rock pier in Swansboro that requires no boat or special permission to fish.
  • Flounder and black drum are the most reliable catches year-round, with mullet and seatrout available depending on season and water temperature.
  • The jetty is sheltered by its location in the White Oak River estuary, making it calmer than ocean piers but requiring different tackle and bait choices.
  • Spring and fall are peak seasons for flounder; summer brings seatrout and mackerel; winter fishing is slower but still possible for drum and mullet.
  • North Carolina saltwater fishing rules apply, including a free recreational license for residents and a small fee for non-residents; check current regulations before you go.

Seasons and What Bites When

Flounder fishing peaks in spring (April through May) and again in fall (September through October) as the fish move through the estuary on their way to deeper water. During these windows, live mullet or live shrimp under a popping cork will draw strikes consistently. Summer flounder fishing slows because the fish move to deeper channels, though early morning and late evening sessions can still produce.

Black drum are present year-round but bite most aggressively in fall and winter. They prefer fiddler crabs, blue crabs, or cut mullet, and they hit harder than flounder—expect a solid tug rather than a subtle take. Spotted seatrout arrive in June and stay through September, feeding on small live shrimp or finger mullet. Spanish mackerel show up in July and August, usually in the deeper water at the jetty's end, and respond to small silver spoons or live baitfish.

Mullet are present all year and are easiest to catch in summer and fall using a cast net or small hooks with bread, corn, or shrimp. They are not a trophy fish but are good for beginners and children because they bite readily and put up a fight on light tackle.

Tackle and Bait Setup

For flounder, use a medium spinning rod (6 to 7 feet) with 15- to 20-pound braided line and a fluorocarbon leader. A popping cork rig with a live mullet or shrimp suspended 18 to 24 inches below the cork works best. Cast near the deeper channels on either side of the jetty and work the cork with short, sharp pops to attract attention.

Black drum require heavier tackle because they can exceed 20 pounds. Use a 7-foot medium-heavy rod, 20- to 30-pound braided line, and a 40-pound fluorocarbon leader. Fish on the bottom with a simple sinker rig and a fiddler crab or piece of cut mullet. Drum are not line-shy, so you can use heavier gear without losing bites.

For seatrout and mackerel, drop down to 12- to 15-pound line and use small live shrimp or 2- to 3-inch finger mullet. Seatrout prefer a slow, steady retrieve along the deeper edges; mackerel will chase small spoons or topwater plugs. Bring multiple rods if you plan to target different species in one session—the jetty is wide enough to fish three or four lines without tangling.

Access, Parking, and Facilities

Radio Island Jetty is located at the end of Radio Island Road in Swansboro, just off Highway 17. Parking is free and sits directly adjacent to the pier entrance. There are no restrooms, shade structures, or concessions on the jetty itself, so bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. The walk from parking to the pier is short and flat, making it accessible for older anglers or anyone with mobility concerns.

The jetty is open during daylight hours year-round. There is no gate or time restriction, but fishing pressure is heaviest on weekends and during peak season (May through September). Weekday mornings in spring or fall offer the quietest conditions and often the best fishing.

Regulations and Licensing

North Carolina requires a saltwater fishing license for anyone 16 and older who is not a resident of the state. Residents can fish for free with a recreational license (no cost, obtained online or at tackle shops). Non-residents pay a small daily or annual fee; check the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries website for current rates and options.

Flounder have a 15-inch minimum size and a daily bag limit of four fish per person. Black drum have an 18-inch minimum and a daily bag limit of three fish. Seatrout have a 12-inch minimum and a five-fish daily limit. Mullet have no size restriction and a 50-fish daily limit. These regulations change periodically, so verify the current rules before you fish. Possession of undersized fish is illegal, even if you plan to release them, so measure before you keep.

What Makes Radio Island Jetty Different

Radio Island Jetty is one of the few free, walk-on piers in Onslow County, which makes it valuable for anglers who do not own a boat or want to avoid charter fees. The estuary location means the water is warmer in winter and cooler in summer than nearby ocean piers, which shifts which species are active and when. The rock structure also creates habitat for crabs and small baitfish, so you can often catch your own bait on-site using a cast net or small trap.

The jetty is shorter and narrower than ocean piers, so it fills up faster on busy days and offers less room to move around. Wind direction matters more here because the jetty is exposed on both sides, and strong wind can make casting difficult. The shallow water means you will not catch large stripers, king mackerel, or other deep-water species, but the trade-off is a more predictable, year-round fishery for smaller, table-ready fish.

Nearby Alternatives and Lodging

If Radio Island Jetty is crowded or the bite is slow, Swansboro Pier (a fee pier about a mile away) offers similar species and slightly deeper water. The White Oak River itself has good kayak fishing for flounder and seatrout if you have access to a boat or rental. Nearby Topsail Island has public beach access and pier fishing at Topsail Beach Fishing Pier, about 20 minutes north.

Swansboro has several small motels, vacation rentals, and a few bed-and-breakfasts within walking distance of downtown. The town is quiet and family-friendly, with restaurants and tackle shops within a few blocks of the waterfront. If you plan to stay overnight, book lodging in advance during May through September, as rooms fill quickly on weekends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to fish at Radio Island Jetty?

Yes, if you are 16 or older. North Carolina residents fish free with a recreational license (no cost). Non-residents pay a daily or annual fee. Check the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries website for current rates and to obtain your license online.

What is the best time of year to fish here?

Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) are peak seasons for flounder. Summer brings seatrout and mackerel. Winter is slower but still productive for black drum and mullet. Weekday mornings in shoulder seasons offer the best combination of calm water and fewer anglers.

Can I keep fish I catch here?

Yes, as long as they meet the minimum size and you do not exceed the daily bag limit. Flounder must be 15 inches, black drum 18 inches, and seatrout 12 inches. Measure before you keep, because possession of undersized fish is illegal.

Is there parking and restroom access?

Parking is free and immediate. There are no restrooms or shade on the jetty, so bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. The walk from parking to the pier is short and flat.

What if the jetty is too crowded?

Swansboro Pier (a fee pier nearby) offers similar fishing in slightly deeper water. The White Oak River also has good kayak fishing for flounder and seatrout if you have boat access. Topsail Beach Fishing Pier is about 20 minutes north and offers ocean-facing conditions.