Hello Antoine, can you introduce yourself to Fishing.news readers?
My name is Antoine Leggeri, I'm 34 years old. Originally from Ile-de-France, I now live near Nantes. I've been fishing with lures in the sea and in freshwater, fishing from the shore, in a float tube and in a kayak, both as a hobby and in competition, for the past ten years. I don't have a predilection for any particular species - all predators are good to lure!
My partners are Suzuki Marine, Babyface and Greendevil.
Can you tell us about your early days in fishing?
I started when I was about 12 in a trout tank with my uncle, the only fisherman in the family. He then took me carp fishing, but I didn't get the hang of it. Patience not being one of my greatest virtues, I naturally turned to lure fishing, a much more active sport.
I then joined a club in my region, then the board of an AAPPMA. These associations enabled me to meet many experienced anglers, to get right to the heart of our passion, but above all to play a part in it.
I learned a lot in a short space of time, both in terms of fishing techniques and knowledge of the environment, and I was able to take part in the management of fishing leases: stocking, setting up spawning grounds, bank maintenance, etc... I have some excellent memories!
When, how and why did you agree to become a Pro-Staff?
My first contract started in 2013, and we met at the Clermont-Ferrand trade show, like almost all the others. For me, trade shows are the best place to meet brands. However, it's easier to be introduced or recommended by someone close to them, and that's how I got started. A few discussions usually follow, and if the feeling goes both ways and I know we can bring each other complete satisfaction, then the adventure begins.
What does being an ambassador mean to you?
For me, it's a bit like being part of a company: you have to have integrity and be irreproachable in your behavior, both on and off the water. Sharing the same values as the brand you represent is essential. You need to be at ease with communication tools, make yourself available from time to time for trade shows or events organized by the brand, and be able to answer other anglers' questions to the best of your ability. It's a role you have to take very seriously!
What's your fondest memory or anecdote from your time as a Pro-Staff?
I'd say it's all the moments shared with the brands that follow me, at trade shows, but also during the competition season, being able to stand on a podium under the colors of the people who put their trust in me is a great source of pride. I've been lucky enough to have met some wonderful people with great humanity. Some of them are now my friends before being my partners, which makes the feeling even stronger.
What do you think of fishing in France?
We hear a lot that fishing is going badly in France, that licences are too expensive, that the grass is greener with our European neighbors, etc... I think there are a lot of AAPPMAs in France ready to roll up their sleeves and get things moving. It's important to get involved in these associations, to be present at general meetings. Each of us can make a small contribution to improving fishing conditions in France.
The competition allows me to travel all over our country, and I can tell you that there are still many beautiful, well-managed places. Be a part of your passion!
Any advice for anglers who want to join a Pro-Staff team one day?
For me, you have to get in touch with people. Tradeshows can be a starting point, but you shouldn't arrive "empty-handed", a nice Instagram or Facebook page with beautiful photos and well-written texts are, in my opinion, essential. And above all, if I had just one question to ask myself before wanting to be a Pro-Staff, it would be: what can I bring to the brand?
For me, it's all about give and take, and you have to be willing to give of yourself. And if you ever manage to join a team, stay humble and don't let it go to your head, because fishing is a small world where doors can close much faster than they open.
