Hello Mathieu, could you introduce yourself to our readers?
First of all, hello Fishing.news readers, my name is Mathieu Jeannot, I'm 25 and I live in the Limousin region of France. I've been part of the Shimano/G.Loomis team for many years and recently became a Pro-Staff for Lowrance and Rapala-VMC.
I specialize in lure fishing for predators, with a soft spot for black bass and specimen fishing.
Can you tell us about your early days in fishing?
In spite of my rather "spirited" past when it comes to other techniques, I can already see myself paddling along the banks at the age of 3. That little dam below my grandparents' house, where I used to paddle along the river with my grandfather. Or leaving school (and acting up for my mother or grandmother to get me there as quickly as possible) along a small stream that was home to trout, gudgeon, chub and so on...
After that, I went through different techniques over the years, always with the same desire to discover new things (diversity of environments and species). I was fascinated by these environments, and then I quickly refocused on what was essential for me: lure fishing.
Since then, the little boy has grown up, already 22 years of passion. I've always wanted to make things happen, to do the right thing.
And in 2012-2014, I embarked on 3 seasons on the French float tube fishing championship (Gn Carla at the time, which is now under the FFPS name).
With lots of time spent at the water's edge between classes, I'm starting to get on my first podium, and the results have added up over time.
I also spent a lot of time on the banks of the Vienne river in Limoges, one of the most beautiful street fishing areas in France.
Then came my first boat, and now I'm on my fifth in just a few years.
When, how and why did you agree to become a Pro-Staff?
In 2020, the Shimano France brand proposed my first real contract (having previously had small partner contracts with different brands thanks to competitions).
I was spotted thanks to social networks, the number of followers of course (to have an advertising impact on new people). But above all, the essential thing that I'm very attached to: my willingness to try to convey the right image at the water's edge, in the surrounding shops etc... in all humility.
It's also important to know that being an ambassador also means making the link between your personal image (focusing on yourself) and the brand you represent.
What does being an ambassador mean to you?
You have to know how to convey the ethics to which the brand adheres, be knowledgeable and passionate, I'd almost say have the job of "salesman" to run the shows. But you also have to be focused on the quality of the images you're constantly sending out, and what's also very important for me is to develop and be part of the product development process, and to promote new products in a variety of ways.
Your fondest memory, or anecdote, as a Pro-staff to share with our readers?
Today, I have some excellent memories of trade shows and store events as an ambassador for the brands I represent, but one of the best to date was going to Portugal in the middle of the play-offs, which still leave me dreaming, and meeting part of the Shimano Portugal Team by chance. It was a very interesting exchange, and that's what being an ambassador is all about.
What do you think of fishing in France?
Returning to our country, France, and my humble view of its evolution, there's a lot more to say.
In no way do I want to come across as a lecturer, because that's not my mentality, nor do I want to get involved in negativity, because I'm a positive person! But the evolution of the younger generation between mine where we educated ourselves by watching bassmasters for hours, videos about old fishing legends and magazines at night before going to sleep.
Now, I find that it's more a question of fashion towards a particular product, than having a technical look at the temperature, the season or even the light. I'm not generalizing, but I find it a little disappointing for future anglers who will go on to compete and dream of one day becoming an ambassador.
As for the rest (competitions, etc...), I'll leave everyone to make up their own minds about the comparison between a full championship and a single date, which today gives access to the same title as 10 years ago.
Any advice for anglers who want to join a Pro-Staff team one day?
If I may offer a word of advice to readers today, if you want to be a Pro-Staff/Ambassador, you don't have to dream about it or go to the water's edge with just that idea in mind. First and foremost, we're all enthusiasts, we all share the same passion, each with his or her own approach and techniques...
You shouldn't try to jump the gun, you should take things as they come, enjoy yourself and grow, forget about interesting content and don't necessarily try to "get the big one" first and foremost. And for competitors, as in any sport, work to evolve. That's my philosophy. If brands find your profile interesting, they'll come to you sooner or later.
In our beautiful passion, in this world that surrounds us, I think it's important to show respect for one another, because once again: we share the same PASSION.
Thank you to the readers and editors of Fishing.news, and we look forward to seeing you at the water's edge or elsewhere.
