Photo by Craig Holt Jerry Dilsaver of North Carolina Sportsman Magazine (left) congratulates Joseph Daughtry, who won a fishing trip to Jensen Beach, Fla. to fish with Capt. Mark Nichols, creator and owner of D.O.A. Lures.

RALEIGH — Joseph Daughtry of Princeton drove March 8 to Barwell Road Community Center and North Carolina Sportsman Magazine’s Saltwater Fishing School, hoping to pick up fishing tips from a bevy of experts.

In addition to gathering information about red drum, flounder, cobia, striper bass, king mackerel, bonito, surf fishing, kayak fishing, knots, trailers, marine electronics and navigation, trolling and net casting, Daughtry also picked up a free guided fishing trip to River Palms Fish Camp and Cottages at Jensen Beach, Fla., with Mark Nichols, creator and owner of DOA Lures.

“It’s my first (NCS) Fishing School,” said Daughtry, 30, an employee of Talecris Pharmaceutical Company in Clayton. “I’m extremely surprised to have won the trip.”

Daughtry’s name was chosen from among more than 100 students during a catered lunch of barbequed chicken, potatoes, green beans, bread, soft drinks and dessert.

Daughtry, who may choose between speckled trout, red drum or snook fishing in the Sunshine State, said he’d like to try for snook, a Florida species not found in N.C. waters.

Door prizes for other anglers included Star Rods, Maps Unique Charts, Betts Cast Nets, fishing tackle and accessories.

Instructors included guides and captains Dave Dietzler, Lee Parsons, Ray Massengill, Stu Caulder, Mike Lundy, Mike Wells, Chip Berry, Tim Moore, Benny Herring and Jerry Dilsaver. Other experts included David Owens, John Knight and Chuck Arkell.

Sponsors and partners for the school included Mercury Marine, Triumph Boats, Pioneer Boats, Sundance Boats, Road King Trailers, Sea Striker, Star Rods, Betts Tackle, Eagle Claw, Maps Unique, Charter Lakes Marine Insurance, D.O.A. Lures, Chatlee Boat and Marine, Grubbs Marine, Calcutta, Invincible Marine, ROFFS and the Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department.