Alessandro Gabrielli is the captain of the 2026 Absolute Italian Offshore Trolling Champions and a new White Monkey ambassador.
As a child, aboard a small boat, he learned the bottom fishing technique from his father, and from then on, he only grew fonder of fishing. Today, after years of study and sacrifice, he shares the boat - and now also the absolute title - with his team, united by the same love for the sea, nature, and of course, fishing.
On the podium, Alessandro gave special thanks to our lures for their victory. We couldn't help but dedicate this article to him to congratulate him and learn more about the passion that led him to become a Champion.
At what age did you become passionate about offshore trolling? What was your first catch?
I got into offshore trolling about ten years ago, thanks to the persistence of my partner, fraternal friend, and adventure companion Alessandro Righi.At first, I was quite skeptical: I thought it was a technique limited to dragging a bait behind the boat and waiting for a bite. However, just one outing was enough for me to realize that the reality was completely different. From that moment, a passion was born that, year after year, grew to become part of my life. Offshore trolling is a discipline that requires study, experience, and continuous observation skills.
In the Mediterranean, you need to know how to read the sea, interpret currents, wind, water temperature, identify the routes of pelagic fish, and thus decide the precise navigation speed, the correct positioning of the baits, and the trim of the boat. Nothing is left to chance: every detail can make the difference between an ordinary day and a memorable catch. But, beyond the technique, what captivated me is the deep connection with the sea. Every outing is an experience that teaches respect, patience, and humility. The sea must be lived and never challenged because it dictates the rules. For me, fishing means knowing and respecting the marine environment and the species that inhabit it, promoting increasingly responsible and sustainable fishing. When conditions allow, releasing catches represents a gesture of respect towards an ecosystem that we have a duty to preserve for future generations.
From your first catch to Italian Champion, tell us about this journey…
The journey that took me from my first catch to the title of Absolute Italian Champion was a journey of sacrifices, passion, and great determination. Nothing happened by chance: every trip to sea, every competition, every mistake, and every disappointment were fundamental for me to grow as a fisherman and as a person.I have always believed that success does not depend on luck, but on preparation, constancy, and the desire to learn something new every day. The sea is the greatest teacher: it tests you, teaches you respect, humility, and reminds you that you never stop learning. In this journey, I was fortunate to share every experience with extraordinary teammates, people with whom I built a bond of mutual trust, sacrifice, and common goals. Offshore trolling is a sport where teamwork is crucial. Each crew member has a precise role, and only when everything works in perfect harmony can great results be achieved.Winning the Absolute Italian Championship was the culmination of a dream, but above all, confirmation that with commitment, dedication, and passion, every goal is possible.This title is not just a medal, but the symbol of a journey built over the years. Based on emotions, friendships, and an unconditional love for the sea, which still drives me to improve and always look towards new goals.
How was this team formed? Did you already fish together, or did you come together to compete? Tell us a bit about the members and the dynamics on the boat.
Our team was formed over thirty years ago, not to compete in races, but out of a great friendship and a shared passion for the sea.Over the years, we have had unforgettable experiences together, building a bond that goes far beyond sports. We are friends, before being teammates. I believe this is the real secret of our strength.On board, everyone has a precise role. I am the captain and coordinate the crew's work. Alessandro Righi is our skipper. An extraordinary person with a unique ability to read the sea, interpret its signals, and lead us to the fish. His experience is a fundamental added value.His son, Manuel Righi, is also with us. Over the years, he has grown to become an indispensable member of the team and, for all of us, part of the family.Andrea Di Vincenzo completes the crew, a great friend and an excellent fisherman, always reliable and decisive in the most important moments.At sea, teamwork is everything. When every component perfectly knows their role and works in harmony with the others, goals can be achieved that would be impossible alone.Winning the Absolute Italian Championship is the result of what our team is.
In your opinion, what was the strategy that led you to victory?
I believe our victory was the result of a strategy built on experience, observation, and, above all, teamwork.In offshore trolling, there are no shortcuts: you need to be able to read the sea, interpret every signal, and make quick decisions. We dedicated a lot of time to studying the weather and sea conditions, currents, water temperature, and predator behavior, continuously adapting our tactics during the competition.The real difference, however, was made by our close-knit team. After many years together, each of us knows exactly what to do at all times, without the need for many words. Everyone knows their role, and every decision is made calmly and clearly. When a bite occurs, everything must happen in a few seconds, and every movement must be perfectly synchronized.Our equipment, and particularly the lures we have been using for years, also played an important role.In this competition, we fished with White Monkey lures, an Italian excellence that I consider the best I have ever tried. These baits are designed and manufactured with great expertise, meticulous attention to detail, and are capable of extraordinary performance. For us, they represent a choice we completely trust, and which, on this occasion, proved to be a winner.I believe the sea rewards those who respect it. We never started with the conviction that we were the strongest, but with the goal of giving our best, staying focused, and adapting to whatever the sea threw at us.Ultimately, the ability to interpret every situation, along with the experience gained over many years, the strength of our group, and our equipment, allowed us to win the title.
What was the atmosphere like on the boat on the first day? And the last moments before victory?
The atmosphere on board, from the very first day, was a mix of concentration, adrenaline, and confidence. We knew we had prepared ourselves in the best possible way and we started with an awareness of our capabilities, without ever letting ourselves be influenced by what was happening on the other competing boats.We chose to stick to our strategy, making decisions based on what we saw, without chasing others or changing our plan based on news coming over the radio. In the moments before victory, however, the tension was extremely high. We knew we were close to an extraordinary result, but at sea, nothing is certain until the last moment. We continued to remain clear-headed, focused, and united, without allowing ourselves any distractions.Only when the official confirmation of the standings arrived did we truly realize what we had achieved. It was an indescribable moment, the culmination of years of hard work. An emotion that we will carry with us forever.
What was the catch that determined the victory?
I don't believe there was one catch more important than the others. They all had the same value and contributed to the final victory.In a competition of this level, every fish can make a difference, and every catch is the result of preparation, strategy, and teamwork. It was precisely the consistency throughout the competition that allowed us to win the Italian title.
What is your next goal now as Italian Champions?
Our goal remains the same as always: to continue to experience the sea with the same passion and the same desire to learn.Every outing will be an opportunity to gain experience. The sea teaches something new every day, and you never stop growing as a fisherman.The Italian title is an important milestone, but also a new starting point. The dream that fills our hearts today is to represent Italy at the 2027 World Championship.Wearing the national jersey would be an immense source of pride, and we will do everything possible to honor this prestigious assignment with commitment, humility, and the same passion that has brought us this far.
