Hello Guillaume, can you introduce yourself to Fishing.news readers?
I'm Guillaume Fourrier, 43 years old, passionate about all kinds of sea fishing. I've been a fishing instructor-guide in Dieppe, Normandy, for the past year. I've been an April Marine ambassador for 5 years, and it's under the brand's colors that I'm taking part in the Grand Pavois Fishing. During this competition, lure fishing techniques will come in handy: swimming fish in little water or soft lures on rocky bottoms in about ten meters of water, depending on the fishing zone determined by the weather.
Can you tell us about your early days in fishing?
I started sea fishing as a teenager at around 13. Nobody in my family fished, so I learned everything on the job. Like a sponge, I took in all the information I needed to progress: advice from my elders, observation of the environment, videos, magazines... It wasn't long before I became passionate about bass fishing with lures and baits, which I practiced every day during the vacations. Looking back at my fishing statistics from 1999, I recorded 31 fishing trips over the 30 days of June - a real relentless effort! But it was this relentless, repeated fishing that forged my experience and perspective on fishing. Today, I fish less, but better.
When, how and why did you decide to take up competitive fishing?
I've done some competitive spots, especially swimming. But when it comes to fishing, I must admit that I don't chase competition. I prefer to choose the right moments of wind, tide and other natural factors to determine the spot and techniques to find the big fish. Instead, I set myself personal challenges to find the biggest fish possible. As a result, you won't see me competing much, the Grand Pavois Fishing being an exception. I like this competition, because it takes place in the context of a major afloat boat show, where I can meet a large public and my partners all in one place. I love the spirit of the Grand Pavois in general: there are so many enthusiasts there, I meet so many people, and I find it a rewarding event that always leaves me with good memories.
How do you feel about competition in general?
Although I don't take part in many competitions, I think they always help anglers to progress, as they challenge each other on equal terms. In other words, all anglers practice at the same time and in the same place, regardless of the conditions, be they difficult or easy. In fact, it's in difficult conditions that we sometimes see a particular technique emerge that we wouldn't have thought of. Dozens of good anglers, all enthusiasts, work hard to make their fishing a success. There's not much to be gained from competitive fishing in France, but if you pay close attention to the patterns of the anglers at the top of the leaderboard, you'll make enormous progress. In fact, both freshwater and saltwater competitions have been a real gas pedal for the development of new techniques and lures on the French and European markets.
What did taking part in Grand Pavois Fishing mean to you?
The Grand Pavois Fishing is a competition that showcases brands rather than fishermen. Through this competition, I fully play my role as April Marine ambassador. In fact, it's the April Marine boat that's taking part, represented by our team who always proudly wear the brand's colors. The aim is to be representative, to play fair, to catch fish and make beautiful pictures. From then on, the score is just a bonus for me. We've already been at the foot of the podium, and we'll continue in this way without pressure, so that this competition is above all a good time of sharing.
Taking part in Grand Pavois Fishing also gives me the opportunity to be present with my boat throughout the Grand Pavois boat show. This allows me to meet enthusiasts, present my boat, carry out product tests on the water for my partners, and take part in conferences on the products I use throughout the year. I'm never bored in this field, as there are so many subjects to choose from: Simrad electronics, TimeZero software, Motorguide electric motors, ZipWake navigation stabilizers, Kerfil fishing tackle, Suzuki motors, Spinlock life jackets, Gill marine clothing, RailBlaza fittings and rod holders...
How do you feel about your last edition?
The last edition was held in the retreat area north of the Ile de Ré. Here, the sea bass spots are often shallow, and we mainly fished stickbaits and jerkbaits. In 2022, we were 4th in this zone. Last year, we were further back with around 15 bass but only 2 mesh. That said, I wasn't able to bring my boat last year and logistics were less fluid. We'll do better in 2024.
Your fondest memory, or anecdote, from Grand Pavois Fishing?
I have many fond memories of the Grand Pavois in general. I'll start with the precise answer: my fondest memory of the competition. It was at the end of a round, we were at the foot of the podium and in the last minutes of the second round. We were fishing above the oyster beds and had a touch every now and then, catching sea bass not far from the mesh. In particular, we caught 3 bass of 41 cm, a curse as I was only a centimetre short of scoring many points (few bass were caught during this difficult round). The wind was strong, so in the last few minutes, I used a 14 cm white stickbait to make some noise and persuade a sea bass to mark its territory. First cast, a long way from the boat, I start to animate and see a huge swirl on the surface! This bass would have scored a lot of points. 5 minutes later, the run was over. We really weren't far from victory, and I loved the adrenalin at the end of the round.
Then, I can't help recounting this crazy anecdote during the Grand Pavois, before the competition 3 years ago. I drive to Les Sables-d'Olonne the day before the show to take the April Marine team fishing in the morning and evening. We catch sea bass, and between fishing trips, I invite my friend Florian, who's on vacation in the area, for a quick 2 or 3-hour catch. We caught a meagre weighing almost 20 kg on a fine 7-28 gram rod and 0.12 mm braid. Immediately afterwards, a large conger eel, again on a soft lure. It was crazy! That's the magic of fishing: the predictable and the unpredictable.
Will you be attending the next Grand Pavois Fishing?
Of course, I'll be there. This year, I'm taking part with Fred and Bastian, who are familiar with my boat April Marine and the competition, Fred being from La Rochelle and Bastian my neighbor from Normandy. As far as the score is concerned, I'm aiming for a podium finish. This year, I'm a fishing instructor-guide in Dieppe, Normandy. I'm out on the water more often and I'm more demanding when it comes to preparing fishing trips and setting up the boat. Everything has to run smoothly, and efficiency is paramount! You have to fish, you have to get results in all circumstances. I've upgraded the boat with a second, larger livewell and a MotorGuide electric motor at the bow. I can't wait to show you all this in La Rochelle! The year 2024 is off to a flying start, as evidenced by the big fishes caught with my customers, big fishes on almost every trip and this superb yellow spot currently in the process of being approved for a new French fine-line record. So we can be confident for 2024!
Any advice for anglers who would like to take part in Grand Pavois Fishing one day?
The first tip is to take part in your first local sea bass fishing competition. This will enable you to gauge your level, make yourself known and meet brands. Gradually, it will become possible to take part in Grand Pavois Fishing with a partner brand.
