Hi Marina, can you introduce yourself to Fishing.news readers?
My name is Marina, I'm 41 years old, I live in the Yvelines (78), I represent the brands: Navicom, Way Of Fishing and Mercury, I mainly fish for predators from boats on the Seine. For pike, I use swimbaits, big soft lures, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits. For pike-perch, I use two techniques: scratch fishing and vertical fishing, which has become a lot of fun thanks to the Humminbird Megalive. I also fish for perch with crankbaits, drop shots and carolina rigs.
When the second category closes, I fish for trout in the first category in the Eure-et-Loir department, using small swimming fish and spinners. I also fish for black bass. I love this type of fishing, where you fish through obstacles and cover. Black bass can be fished with a whole range of different techniques, but I mainly use jigs or chatterbaits with trailer craw. All these fishing techniques allow me to fish all year round.
Can you tell us about your early days in fishing?
I started out carp fishing for a year and then got interested in predator fishing. I started directly with a float tube to be closer to the water and have easier access to spots. I started stalking predators with pike and perch using fairly classic soft lures. Later, I bought a boat to be able to fish more comfortably in winter too.
After buying the boat, I became interested in pike-perch fishing, which has become my favorite sport. Today, the boat allows me to fish in all weathers and to have access to spots far from each other.
When, how and why did you agree to become a Pro-Staff?
My very first contract was with Way of Fishing, where I wanted to take up the challenge of being a Pro-Staff and representing this brand. I turned to this distributor because my first fish were made with Keitech and I used to fish a lot with rods from the Major Craft range. In fact, Way of Fishing distributes many quality products from well-known brands.
For Mercury, it came about quite naturally at the CNPL 2023 after discussions with a team member and the marketing director. I'm on my third boat and I've always had Mercury engines. They're high-performance, ultra-reliable engines.
As far as Navicom is concerned, the feeling came over me immediately, because from the time of my first float tube to my current bass boat, I've always been loyal to Minn Kota and Humminbird, which are distributed by Navicom. Minn Kota has nothing left to prove, with its ironclad motors, and Humminbird has always been a forerunner in fishfinders, starting with its 2D and continuing with the Mega Live. Both brands are constantly researching and developing their products. Navicom's distribution is perfectly managed, and their after-sales service is top-notch. A passionate company for passionate users.
Today, my three sponsors complement each other in my fishing methods and enable me to fish effectively all year round.
What's your boat's configuration?
As for fishfinders, I use Humminbird's Helix 12 and Solix 12, and for accessories I use the Mega live on Target Lock and the Mega 360. As for electric motors, I've always had Minn Kota Ultrexes, but I've just switched to an Ultrex Quest, which is the brand-new Brushless version (quieter, more powerful, with lots of new features).
I also have two Minn Kota Raptor 10-foot hydraulic anchors for shallower areas. For longer trips, I use a Mercury 250 pro Verado, and hope to switch soon to the new 250 pro xs in V8.
What does being an ambassador mean to you?
Joining a Pro-Staff team is a commitment in which you have to ask yourself the right questions: you have to be really passionate about fishing, enjoy working with lots of people and like to share your passion. By becoming part of this community, you have to be able to serve the interests of the brand you represent, because sponsorship isn't about receiving without giving something back.
You have to be able to provide content throughout the year, meet targets if they've been set, showcase the products you use and explain how they're used. You also have to be available for events where the brands are represented. It's a time-consuming and highly organized job, but when you love it, you don't count.
I'd like to thank Navicom, Way of Fishing and Mercury for placing their trust in me. I'm very proud to wear the colors of these three brands, and I hope that the adventure will continue over time.
What's your fondest memory or anecdote from your time as a Pro-Staff?
As a Pro-Staff, my fondest memory was doing my first competition under the colors of my 3 sponsors at the French Championships: the Mercury Fishing Cup 2023. It was a very stressful experience, but very rewarding both personally and in terms of fishing. I was able to meet other members of the Navicom and Mercury teams.
What do you think of fishing in France?
As a Pro-Staff angler, I was a little apprehensive about joining the teams I'm part of, as there are very few women in the French fishing world. But I was pleasantly surprised by the way my colleagues welcomed me into their teams. We talk a lot and overall there's a very good atmosphere, both within the teams and in competition, and in general, women in fishing are well perceived.
Any advice for anglers who want to join a Pro-Staff team one day?
First and foremost, you have to go fishing to fish and for the fish, above all to have fun on the water, enjoy sharing your passion, the techniques, the lures used, and so on. And to have a real affinity with the brand you want to represent, in order to provide quality content.
