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Hello Jean-Charles, could you first introduce yourself to Pêche.com readers?
My name is Jean-Charles Caumont, and I'm a sea-fishing instructor based at Port Camargue in Le Grau-du-Roi.
With Aventure Pêche Camargue, I offer sea outings based on sharing, whether with friends or family, with the idea of helping people discover sea fishing in a different way.
The aim is not just to fish, but to offer a real adventure at sea, adapted to each individual, in a safe and professional environment.
Why did you become a fishing guide?
Fishing has always been there, but there came a time when I wanted to share it.
Becoming a guide means passing on, accompanying and sharing moments that people wouldn't necessarily experience on their own.
It's also a job where you're constantly learning, because no two outings are alike.
Every day brings its share of decisions, adaptations and sometimes questioning, and that's what makes this job so exciting.
What kind of guidance products do you offer?
I offer several types of outings:
- Bluefin tuna fishing, hunting and grazing.
- Multi-species fishing on wrecks and rocky shoals.
- Wolf fishing with lures.
- Outings to the pits, in search of exceptional fish... Weather permitting.
The aim is to offer a variety of outings accessible to both beginners and more experienced anglers.
Above all, I adapt to the weather conditions, the season and the people on board to come up with the best possible strategy.
What does being a fishing guide mean to you?
Being a guide isn't just about fishing. It means analyzing, adapting, constantly reading the sea and making the right decisions.
This requires experience, anticipation and a good knowledge of the environment.
You also need to know how to adapt to the people on board, their level, their expectations and their pace, so that everyone finds their place during the outing.
And above all, to make sure that the people on board have a good time, and want to come back.
Do you fish or not when you're guiding?
I fish very little, if at all, when guiding. That's not my role. I'm there to accompany, advise, demonstrate techniques and help customers progress.
I'm also on hand to help with fights, especially against big fish where support is important.
My aim is for them to experience the touches, the fights and the emotions, not me.
I prefer to fish for myself, with close friends, once the season is over.
What do you do when you're not guiding?
When I'm not guiding, I also work in the fishing industry for an international brand.
I also take care of all the preparation: equipment maintenance, organizing outings, keeping an eye on weather conditions and fishing areas.
And of course, I devote time to my family and my two children.
How do you see guiding in France?
Guiding attracts many people today, but few can make a long-term living from it.
It's a passionate job, but also a demanding one, requiring hard work, rigor and regular presence on the water.
Our business is highly dependent on the weather, with off-peak periods and strong seasonal fluctuations. Some days are cancelled, others don't go as planned, and you have to accept this and bounce back.
There's also the whole "out at sea" part that you don't see: preparing equipment, boat maintenance, organization, booking management...
It's an all-round job, sometimes tiring, but when it all comes together, there's nothing like it.
What advice would you give to people wishing to embark on this adventure?
You can't just start out because you're passionate about it. It's a complete profession that requires investment, rigor and a real ability to adapt.
You also have to accept that things aren't always easy, especially at the beginning, and build up your business over time.
As well as fishing, there's the real business side: managing bookings, communications, expenses, equipment, boat maintenance...
It's a balance to be struck between the land and everything that happens off the water, and it's this point that is often underestimated.
As a fisherman, what's your dream?
I've noticed a change in certain species at sea, sometimes positive, sometimes more worrying. I think it's important to raise awareness to preserve a fragile ecosystem.
And if we're really talking about a fisherman's dream, I'd like to catch a thresher shark at Le Grau-du-Roi, it's been a long time since I've had the chance to do one...
And succeed in making my first yellowtail, the fish that still eludes me...
