NC State Sportfishing School: 71st year

Learn from the masters

NC State Continuing and Lifelong Education is set to launch the 71st annual Sport Fishing School this June in Hatteras, North Carolina, continuing a transformative educational tradition that spans more than seven decades. This immersive 5-day program offers participants a comprehensive journey into sport fishing, blending classroom instruction with hands-on training.

The program’s unique curriculum combines two days of in-depth classroom learning, covering advanced equipment techniques and fishing methodologies, with three days of practical, hands-on experience in both inshore and offshore Gulf Stream environments. The educational experience culminates in a time-honored tradition — a celebratory closing banquet where participants can network and share their newfound knowledge.

With roots tracing back to September 1952, the Sport Fishing School originated in Morehead City, NC as a collaborative effort between NC State’s Department of Zoology and the College Extension Division, and has evolved into a premier fishing education program renowned for its exceptional instructional team.

The school boasts an extraordinary lineup of instructors — Captains Ernie Foster, Rom Whitaker, Ken Dempsey, Dr. Herbert Kirk, and Skip Blaylock — each bringing decades of expertise and deep connections to NC State. These accomplished professionals are not just instructors, but also living legends in Eastern North Carolina’s fishing community, having established reputations through successful charters and prominent tournament participation.

“This isn’t just a fishing school — it’s a legacy program 70 years in the making,” said Capt. Ernie Foster, lead program instructor with more than 50 years of maritime experience and proud NC State alum. We’re not just teaching techniques; we’re passing down generations of wisdom. From understanding the delicate ecosystems of North Carolina coastal waters, to mastering intricate fishing techniques, we’re preserving a tradition that connects people to the ocean in one of the most profound ways.”

Open to fishing enthusiasts 18 and older, the Sport Fishing School offers an unparalleled learning experience. Interested participants can explore the full program schedule, instructor profiles and registration information at http://lifelonglearning.ncsu.edu/sport-fishing-school.