Hello Vincent and Julien, could you introduce yourselves to Fishing.news readers?
Hello, Vincent Lopez i'm 30 years old and I live near Montpellier. I've been fishing for predators for almost 20 years with the same passion as when I started. I fish a lot in the Mediterranean area, but I confess to a fondness for the Auvergne region, where I studied when I was younger. I also travel a lot in France and abroad to track predators. If I had to name my favorite fish, I'd say pike, perch and black-bass.
Hello, Julien Himbert, I'm a 35-year-old angler who lives near the Nantes region. I've been fishing exclusively for carnivorous fish for nearly 25 years on all the waters of the Pays de la Loire region, as well as in France. Today, I specialize in float-tube fishing for pike-perch and pike. I was FFPS French champion in 2013 in the float tube category.
Can you tell us about your early days in fishing?
Vincent: i started fishing at a fairly early age, around 6-7, on my grandfather's farm in a small canal in central France during my summer vacations. My first carnivorous fish were perch, which I spooned from a family pond. I went on to fish with stillbaits and then lures when I was around 13.
Julien: like everyone else, my brother David and I started out with our father on wait-and-see fishing, then moved on to active lure fishing. While this gave us a taste of everything, it also forged our characters and our preferred styles of fishing.
When, how and why did you decide to take up competitive fishing?
We decided to move on to competition after seeing a significant improvement in our skills and a desire to challenge ourselves further. Taking part in competitions allowed us to measure ourselves against other experienced anglers and learn advanced techniques.
Competitive fishing offers a stimulating environment where we can constantly evaluate and improve our skills. It pushes us to surpass ourselves and to get out of our comfort zone. What's more, the camaraderie and sportsmanship encountered at competitive fishing events are extremely rewarding. Meeting like-minded enthusiasts has been an ongoing source of inspiration and has helped us forge strong bonds within the fishing community.
What do you think of competition in general?
We take a very positive view of competition in general. Competition, whether in the sporting, artistic or intellectual fields, plays a crucial role in personal and collective development. It pushes us out of our comfort zone, to surpass ourselves and reach levels of performance we might not otherwise have envisaged.
In fishing, competition allows us to practice and perfect our skills in a dynamic and stimulating environment. It encourages the exchange of techniques and knowledge between participants, which contributes to the continuous improvement of our know-how. What's more, competition teaches us essential values such as discipline, perseverance, respect for the rules and fair play.
We also enjoy the camaraderie and sense of community that competition engenders. Meeting and exchanging with other enthusiasts is enriching and inspiring. They enable us to forge strong bonds and share unique experiences.
In short, we see competition as a source of motivation, learning and personal development, as well as a means of strengthening social ties and promoting positive values.
What did taking part in the first Mercury Fishing Cup mean to you?
Firstly, it meant being part of a prestigious inaugural event, organized by the FFPS and Mercury Marine France, which in itself was a source of pride. To take part in a first edition is to help lay the foundations of a tradition, to be pioneers in an adventure that we hope will continue to grow and prosper over the years.
Finally, taking part in this event was also a way of promoting and supporting our passion for fishing. By taking part in a competition of this scale, we contribute to the visibility and development of the sport, perhaps encouraging others to get involved.
What do you think of this first edition?
Our feedback on this first edition of the Mercury Fishing Cup is extremely positive. The experience was both enriching and memorable on many levels.
On the first day, we finished 11th in the rankings, which was a good start, especially as we weren't in the last waves. This initial performance gave us a good idea of the competition and motivated us to redouble our efforts for the rest of the competition.
The next day, starting in the first wave, we made an impressive climb up the rankings. Thanks to our determination and the application of proven techniques, we managed to climb into the top 10 and finish in a remarkable 6th place. This little "remontada" was our highlight of the competition, testifying to our ability to adapt and perform under pressure.
One of the keys to our success was the use of line fishing techniques combined with Lowrance's Active Target 2 technology to see if the fish were really present on our spots. All this combined with the new range of Rapala CrushCity soft lures we had in prototype. These lures proved particularly effective. Their performance was a real asset and we look forward to using them in the future.
The general atmosphere at the Mercury Fishing Cup was also exceptional, with enthusiastic participants who were passionate about fishing. Exchanges with fellow anglers, organizers and spectators were very enriching and contributed to making the event a friendly and stimulating one.
To sum up, this first edition of the Mercury Fishing Cup has been an extremely positive experience for us. We're proud of our performance, delighted with the techniques and equipment we've been able to try out, and delighted with the general atmosphere of the competition. We look forward to future editions and the challenges they will bring.
Your fondest memory, or anecdote, from the Mercury Fishing Cup?
Yes, a little anecdote about the atmosphere. We assisted a boat with a technical problem. In the morning, we were launching in an area where we had to get out of a pond using only the electric motor before we could use our internal combustion engines. And we absolutely had to be on time for the briefing. However, the electric motor of another crew's boat wouldn't listen, so we had to tow them out of the zone with our electric motor and inform the organization that we'd be late for assistance. In the end, we were only 5 minutes late, but the rules are strict and we should have taken a penalty. But the referees judged our assistance to be very fair play.
Will you be attending the second edition on Lac de Vassivière?
Yes, of course, we'll be present at the second edition on Lac de Vassivière!
This lake, well stocked with pike-perch and pike-perch, will offer us many more fishing possibilities and techniques than a river in flood like the Seine, which we had during the first edition. Lake Vassivière, with its biodiversity and varied fishing conditions, promises to be an ideal playground for demonstrating and honing our skills.
We're looking forward to taking on this new challenge and hoping to improve our ranking or stay in the top 10 of this French championship.
Any advice for anglers hoping to take part in the Mercury Fishing Cup one day?
- Competition attracts top-level anglers, so it's crucial to master different fishing techniques. Train regularly and familiarize yourself with techniques such as line fishing, jigging and many others.
- Take the time to study the water where the competition will take place. Understanding the topography, areas of high fish concentration and seasonal behavior of target species such as pikeperch and pike can make a big difference.
- Having the right equipment is essential. Invest in quality equipment, and make sure you have a wide range of lures and accessories.
- Conditions can change rapidly. Whether it's the weather, water levels or fish behaviour, be prepared to adjust your techniques and strategies accordingly.
- Sportsmanship, camaraderie and fair play are important aspects of competition. Respect other anglers and the competition rules. A positive and respectful attitude will enrich your experience and that of others.
By following these tips, you'll be better prepared to take part in the Mercury Fishing Cup II and make the most of this rewarding experience. Good luck and happy preparations!
Which boats and equipment do you use?
- Boat: Kimple Kobra 175 aluminum bass boat
- Internal combustion engine: Mercury Pro XS 115 CT
- Electric motor: Lowrance Ghost
- Probes and Technologies : Lowrance HDS PRO 12 + Active Target 2 + Active Imaging 3-in-1
- On-board power: Relion LifePo4 lithium battery
