South Carolina man wins fishing school grand prize

He chooses fishing excursion to Costa Rica

North Carolina Sportsman

April 12, 2012 at 4:54 pm | Mobile Reader |

George Beckwith

Sailfish will be on the menu for Brent Dilendik, who won the grand prize at the North Carolina Sportsman Saltwater Fishing School -- a trip to Costa Rica.

Brent Dilendik travelled a long way from Aiken, S.C., to attend North Carolina Sportsman’s Saltwater Fishing School last month at the Cape Fear Wildlife Expo in Wilmington, N.C.

Now, he’s got to make an even longer trip.

Dilendik won the drawing among the 200-plus fishermen who attended the school for a Costa Rica fishing trip donated by Capt. George Beckwith of Down East Guide Service.

Dilendik will receive four nights’ lodging and breakfasts in a hotel on Jaco Beach, Costa Rica, VIP airport and marina transfers and two days fishing – one day inshore for roosterfish and one day offshore for billfish aboard Beckwith’s 42-foot sportfisher, the Dragin Fly.

"We saw it advertised in the magazine and decided to drive up for the school,” Dilendik said. “We’re novice fishermen; we’re just starting to get into saltwater fishing.”

Dilendik had the choice of two trips: the Costa Rica fishing trip or a 3-day dove-hunting excursion to Cordoba, Argentina.

Another big door-prize winner from the Cape Fear Wildlife Expo was Dennis Smith of Wilmington, who won a 9.9-hp Mercury outboard motor donated by Mercury and North Carolina Sportsman.

Visit www.downeastguideservice.com for details and pricing on any trips.