It is a contender that carries dozens of battles facing the ocean.
He has skin tanned by saltpeter and rough hands from handling lines, hooks and sinkers.
For more than 30 years he has competed in sea, river or lagoon competitions and now he can exhibit – almost like a Messi of the reeds – his own world cup.
Pablo Fernández (53), born and raised in Tres Arroyos, won this weekend with the most relevant trophy of his career: he won the 24 hours of Corvina Negra.
With a piece weighing
2,938 kilos
, he won the biggest prize in one of the competitions of that contest that already has its own history.
The reward:
a Toyota Hilux 4x4 truck that he has already decided to sell
because he will continue touring spas and fishing tournaments with his
“all-terrain” Renault 9
that took him to the top.
“Getting a black croaker in this contest is
an indescribable feeling
.
It was realizing a dream.
And I was able to do it with my son Fermín, 5 years old
, who accompanied me all day.
"I can't ask for more," Fernández says excitedly in a chat with
Clarín
.
Almost a day after the coronation, this Tresarroyense merchant could be defined as a professional in this sport.
He is associated with seven fishing clubs or institutions that organize contests in the southeastern region of the Province.
The first time he participated in “las 24” he was 11 years old.
His father, Gustavo, another rod and bait activist, registered him in 1982, in the “minor” category.
“From the age of 13, I never missed it in 35 consecutive editions,” Fernàndez recalled.
A few years ago I had abandoned this experience that is considered unique: participating in a contest that lasts a full day, covers 40 kilometers of coast (in Orense, Claromecó and Reta, the resorts of the southeastern provincial district) and in this case, distributes
180 million pesos in prizes
.
Including six vehicles (two pickups and four cars)
Pablo and Fermín, with the trophy and the Hilux that he has already decided he is going to sell to keep his trusty Renault 9.
“I was very tired at this time because I have a company dedicated to hunting and fishing and in January we have too much work.
To enter at “24” you have to be at 100%.
But now I decided to return.
January was not so busy and I wanted to make a plan with my son,” the fisherman recalled.
They put together a family program: he camped with Fermín (5) in a place known as “Caracolero”, 8 kilometers from the town of Claromecó.
His granddaughter, Lola (11), dropped out at the last minute due to the flu.
Nearby and as part of the camp they were accompanied by friends from Mar del Plata and Coronel Suárez, who arrived for this event.
“I was motivated and
I had an omen
.
Although the forecast for the weekend was not very encouraging, we organized ourselves and before leaving, my mother, Norma (Pereyra) told me: 'Come on
, come on, this year you'll bring the truck
. '
So it was".
How was the hit that a Toyota Hilux 4x4 was worth?
Fernández can describe in detail, as in a slow motion film, that key moment.
That moment that changed the destiny of the tournament.
And that he will mark him forever.
Pablo Fernández and the croaker that took him to the top.
The storm had passed and high water was about to set.
“I threw the line about 40 meters and had the rod in my hand for two or three minutes.
But as the sun was going down and it was starting to get cold, I left her in the 'lounger' to go look for a coat.
While I was putting on some slippers while sitting on the lounge chair, I saw that
the tip of the stick bent abruptly
.
I ran to hold it and noticed that the fish took about 15 meters of line inward.
I knew it was a big piece, but I never believed it would be the black one,” Fernández described.
When it stopped going inward, it began to swim to the side.
“He went to the right, it was a battle of patience and I had to manage the anxiety.
Then she went out to sea again and picked up again.
Until I saw her in the surf.
I saw part of the head appear and then
I knew it would be a championship croaker
.
A thousand things ran through my head.
When I was already on the tongue of the sea I was trembling with emotion,” recalled the winner of the tournament.
Pablo Fernández's camp to participate in the 24 hours of the black croaker.
The thing is that more than 30 years ago, Fernández was also close to reaching the podium.
On that occasion she caught a blonde specimen that was “top” until two hours before the end of the competition.
“That time I didn't sleep all night.
I continued fishing all morning.
“I was in my early 20s and adrenaline was running through my veins.”
Pablo and his son Fermín, who supported him during the tournament.
This time he took it easy.
“My father said that to win a competition you have to know, but also have
a lot of luck
.
In the place where I took that black shot there were 15 or 20 people who all shot in the same place.
She chose my bait.
By chance,” acknowledges the Tresarroyense merchant.
Fernández's sporting “career” does not end with this World Cup win.
He is already registered for the next competitions scheduled for the next few days: one in San Cayetano and another in Claromecó, organized by the Echegoyen club of San Francisco de Bellocq.
“I have been fishing since I can remember.
I was born almost on the seashore, because my mother had labor contractions while she accompanied my father on a day of fishing.
"I'm not going to leave him and I want Fermín to follow this path."
Fermín and his first steps in fishing.
Practicing this outdoor activity encourages passionate traits.
Those who have never stood with a spiked pole in front of the waves with their eyes on the horizon would not understand it.
Perhaps a contest like “las 24”, where more than 3,100 people participated who paid 110 thousand pesos for registration and spent a full day on the sand, will serve to begin to understand the phenomenon.
The Silver. Correspondence
MG