Grantsboro, NC
The 1st annual Inshore Institute Fishing School took place February 17th at the Pamlico County Community College in front of a packed house. In fact, the school hosted an impressive 300 anglers and A LOT of volunteers that helped make the event a success.
It was Neuse River Bait and Tackle’s owner Todd Willis’ vision to create a school that would highlight fishing in Eastern North Carolina while, at the same time, involve some of the best Captains in the business. Willis said he “hoped to raise awareness of fishing in Pamlico County and stimulate the local economy at the same time.” “The response has been great this year and in fact we might have to expand next year”
The school was also very excited to have national TV fishing celebrity Mark Davis be part of the event. Mark has one of the top fishing shows, BigWater Adventures, on the Outdoor Channel and fishes around the world from Alaska to Trinidad. For the past three years Mark has filmed episodes with Captain Mitchell Blake (Fish IBX) and Jay (from our team) where they highlighted the amazing Trophy Red Drum fishing (or Old Drum as some call it) while they fished out of Oriental, NC.
The impressive line up of eastern North Carolina Captains included:
Captain Ricky Kellum – Speckled Specialist Guide Service
Captain Gary Dubiel -Spec Fever Guide Service
Captain Noah Lynk – Noah’s Ark Fishing Charters
Captain Greg Voliva -Four Seasons Guide Service
Captain Ray Massengill – Down East Guide Service
Captain Mitchell Blake – FishIBX Guide Service
Captain Ashley King – Keep Casting Charters
Captain Jodie Gay – Blue Water Candy Lures
This impressive line up gave presentations on how to catch striped bass, speckled trout, flounder, red drum, spanish mackerel, kayak fishing, fly fishing and of course, a local favorite, trophy red drum. School participants were treated to a breakfast biscuit bar by the Country Biscuit and BBQ and Chicken lunch from Moores BBQ in New Bern.
Captains and show participants stayed in the local area in comfort. The fisherman friendly River Neuse Suites in Oriental was the Inshore Institute’s official lodging provider. Check out the views of the property below.
The show wrapped up with over $8,000 worth of giveaways from school sponsors and 7 charters with each of the Charter Captains who presented. Our team enjoyed helping with the event and taking part in the planning, preparation and execution of the event.
Mark you calendars! It’s only going to get better from here. We look forward to next year.
Click below for the event photo gallery!
