Jerry Dilsaver

I began fishing at about 4 years old with my father and uncles and have been fishing since and I'm 71 now. I am a semi-retired outdoor writer/photographer that has been published locally, regionally and nationally since 1986. I competed in the Southern Kingfishing Association King Mackerel Trail and my team was the National Champions in 2001. I also competed in the US Anglers Association and my team earned Angler of the Year honors in 1998. I now give seminars at 3 to 6 boat, fishing and outdoor shows each year from Myrtle Beach, S.C. to Richmond, VA. and speak to several fishing clubs and/or civic groups most months. I used to host a radio fishing report every weekday here in N.C. and have been the guest on television fishing shows a dozen or so times. Several of the fishing shows (Carolina Outdoor Journal) continue to run on UNCTV (PBS in N.C.)

In 2007 I was introduced to kayak fishing and really liked it. I kept expanding my knowledge and area and now fish mostly salt water, both inshore and in the ocean. My favorite inshore fishing is for red drum and my favorite ocean fishing is for king mackerel.

In 2009 former Hobie sales rep, Michael Garet asked me to join the Hobie Regional Fishing Team and I accepted. I did events with him from Charleston, S.C. to Richmond, VA. Great Outdoor Provision Company's Wilmington, N.C. store has always been my primary store, but I also supported their other 6 N.C. stores and 2 VA. stores, plus other dealers when in their areas. One of my programs was to host 6 in-store seminars each year in the Wilmington, N.C. store, plus I also occasionally did in-store programs for the other stores. I enjoy introducing people to fishing, especially kayak fishing and also enjoy helping them sharpen their skills and learn new techniques.

One of my favorite things is that I helped start a kayak fishing program that is still used by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Education Team. They use Hobie Kayaks for the program and honored me by using several pictures of me fishing on my PA 14 for the wrap on their enclosed trailer used to transport the kayaks.