NCS Saltwater Fishing School Not Yet Full

Registration Slots With Free Fishing Rods Remain Available

One of the benefits of being among the first 100 adult registrants for the 2009 North Carolina Sportsman Fishing School is a free Star Rods spinning rod valued at approximately $40. While some folks thought these seats sold out immediately, that wasn’t the case: there are still rods to be had — although waiting until the last minute might not be the best idea.

Folks who would like to be sure they receive one of these rods should call in their registration to 1-800-538-4355. The person taking the registration can verify their official registration number and will accept most credit cards.

The seventh annual North Carolina Sportsman Saltwater Fishing School will be held at Chatlee Marine, 2615 Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1 South) in Sanford on Saturday, March 21. Doors will open at 8:00 a.m., with sessions beginning at 9 and continuing until 4:30 p.m. A catered lunch is included for all participants.

The all-day event will feature successful tournament anglers, prominent charter captains, top notch guides, knowledgeable pro team members, experienced local fishermen and well-informed industry professionals giving tips, plus explaining lures, baits and techniques used to catch everyone’s favorite fish.

The school features multiple sessions each hour to insure smaller classes and the opportunity for participants to ask questions and have them answered. The sessions will include lecture and hands-on presentations aimed at improving the skills and knowledge of beginning to intermediate level salt water fishermen.

General subject groups will include Inshore Saltwater, Ocean Saltwater and General Information, plus outside instructions on using and throwing cast nets, surf casting, fly casting and more.  The individual sessions will change hourly and participants will choose their preferred topic each hour.

The Inshore Fishing sessions will include Speckled Trout, Flounder, Puppy Drum, Tarpon, Flounder Gigging, Stripers, Cobia and more.

The Ocean Fishing sessions will include Nearshore Trolling for Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, and King Mackerel, Offshore Trolling for Tuna, Dolphin, and Wahoo, Live Bait Trolling for King Mackerel, Ocean Stripers, Offshore Bottom Fishing and more.

The General Information sessions will include Basic Navigation and Safety, Marine Electronics, Reading and Understanding Charts, Three Basic Knots, Making Wire Leaders, Chumming and more.

The sessions conducted outside will include Rigging Offshore Trolling Baits, Selecting and Throwing Cast Nets, Fly Rod Casting, Surf Casting and more.

The list of instructors for the school is impressive and includes decades of experience and success in all fields. Headed by the one-two punch of Capt. Jerry Dilsaver, 2007 Inductee into the SKA Hall of Fame, 2001 SKA National Champion, 1998 USAA Angler of the Year and Capt. Jimmy Price, Southport’s resident flounder expert, standup comic and 1999 and 2000 USAA Inshore Angler of the Year, the list of instructors includes: Capt. David Dietzler, Cape Lookout Charters; Capt. Ray Massengill, Down East Guide Service; Capt. Jot Owens, CaptainJot.Com/Saltwater Assassin Lures; Capt. Rick Bennett, Rod-Man Charters; Capt. Anthony Ng, Fish-Ng Accessories; Capt. Chip Berry and Capt. Benny Herring, Maps Unique; Capt. Mike Lundy, Captain Mike’s Guide Service; Capt. Michael Wells, Miss Ann Sportfishing; Capt. Tim Moore, Goldsboro Power Squadron; John Knight, Raleigh Salt Water Sportfishing Club; Chuck Arkell, Paddle Creek Paddlesports, and more.

Participants will receive the day of instruction, a year’s subscription or renewal to North Carolina Sportsman magazine, a catered lunch, a North Carolina Sportsman magazine T-shirt, many manufacturer’s samples, numerous door prizes, including fishing tackle and fishing trips, and entry into a grand door prize drawing to win a fishing trip to the Louisiana coast.

Whether you prefer stalking the marshes for puppy drum and speckled trout, drifting the inlets for flounder, slow-trolling the artificial reefs for speedy king mackerel, heading offshore for acrobatic dolphin and tasty tuna, or just want to know a little more about salt water fishing in general, the 2009 North Carolina Sportsman Saltwater Fishing School presented by Saltwater Assassin Lures has something just right for you.

The registration fee is $100 for adults and, as noted earlier, the first 100 adults to register will receive a Star Rods spinning rod, valued at approximately $40, in addition to all the other goodies. For each adult registration, a spouse or minor child living at home may be added at the discounted registration fee of $60.

The sponsors of the 2009 North Carolina Sportsman Saltwater Fishing School are Saltwater Assassin Lures, Chatlee Boat and Marine, Star Rods, Sea Striker, Betts Tackle, Blurp Baits, Maps Unique, Charter Lakes Marine Insurance, D.O.A. Lures, ROFFS, Overton’s, Paddle Creek Paddlesports, Calcutta, Eagle Claw, Wave Spin Reels and WSFL 106.5 FM.

For more information or to register, call 1-800-538-4355 or click on the Fishing School banner on this page.