Hello Rémy, can you introduce yourself to Fishing.news readers?
My name is Rémy Branco, I'm 41 years old, and I'm based in Charente-Maritime, in La Palmyre. I'm part of Team LOU 1. I specialize in tuna fishing on chaser and scrambler.
Can you tell us about your early days in fishing?
I've been fishing since the age of 12. Having traveled abroad for 6 years, I discovered exotic fishing and especially yellowfin tuna and marlin fishing on Reunion Island. Back in France, I perfected my experience in exotic fishing, and 10 years ago we began to discover bluefin tuna fishing 1 h 30 sailing time off La Palmyre, with the trolling technique especially for white tuna. With experience and the evolution of our equipment, we were able to measure ourselves against the biggest fish (my personal record is 290 kg).
When, how and why did you decide to take up competitive fishing?
I started competing because of the atmosphere. And bringing together a group of enthusiasts for a single event enables everyone to develop their skills, equipment and experience much more quickly. What's more, we're lucky enough to have a sport that's all about sharing, so with my team the idea was to bring together professionals like L'Ami pêcheur Cédric, a well-known fishing store and guide in the Basque region, and on the other hand Jean-Baptiste Grillon from the DPSG store in Paris, a specialist in exotic fishing.
Exchange of walks on all types of fishing and active people ...
What do you think of competition in general?
I've been into it since I was 18. After graduating from high school, I travelled for 6 years thanks to the start of kitesurfing in the 2000s. I joined a team and took part in 5 years of French and European championships, as well as 5 world championship stages spread across the planet.
As far as competitive fishing is concerned, the rules are changing for the better. And, like kitesurfing in its day, both the equipment and the practice and, above all, the knowledge of the tuna, with Tristan, a passionate scientist, setting beacons to find out when and how the tuna are evolving.
Still, it would be a good idea to add some improvements. It's important to understand that in tuna fishing competitions, for example, time is limited in fights. Tuna can have a heart attack, and it would be a good idea, in no-kill competitions, to provide rings so as not to put a dead fish back in the water... We could write a book...
It might also be a good idea to organize a tuna-fishing competition during the Grand Pavois Fishing event, since we're in the middle of the season.
What did taking part in Grand Pavois Fishing mean to you?
The Grand Pavois is the perfect place to see our partners. For my part, I'd like to thank Navicom, Heartyrise, Ocean Fishing, MMG Bateaux, Suzuki Marine, Inox du Bocage, L'Ami pêcheur Shop and DPSG for their support. This date, which coincides with the end of the season, also gives us a chance to take stock and, above all, to see friends and talk about the year ahead and/or exotic trips for the winter and vacations.
How do you feel about your last edition?
We had to fish on a difficult reef, with very light fishing, 6 grams and surface lures. Sea bass is less my specialty, but I'm always happy to take part, especially for the conviviality.
Your fondest memory or anecdote from Grand Pavois Fishing?
With Navicom and Christophe Soares, who had brought together all the boats representing the brand on the water with a helicopter two meters from the boats for a parade with shooting, a great experience.
Will you be attending the next Grand Pavois Fishing?
Yes, to have a good time and win.
Any advice for anglers who would like to take part in Grand Pavois Fishing one day?
Be representative of the sport, have a good attitude, show respect and remain courteous on the water.
