PROFILE :
JACOPO
GALLELLI
FLORENCE , ITALY
As the first European to ever compete as a professional angler in the United States , Jacopo Gallelli began his rookie year on the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit with mixed expectations . On one hand : he ’ s a 39-year-old Italian angler still trying to find his way in an unfamiliar country . On the other : he ’ s a 39-year-old Italian angler with two top 10s in 17 events with MLF , a bevy of sponsors supporting him and a burning passion for proving that catching bass is about more than where you grew up .
International anglers are typically faced with a steep learning curve stateside , though Gallelli has been making a name for himself on the bass fisheries of the U . S . for a couple years now – as evidenced by his doublequalifying for the Pro Circuit via a pair of top-10 Angler of the Year finishes in multiple divisions of the 2020 Toyota Series and a Bassmaster Classic appearance in 2019 .
By Tyler Brinks
PHOTO BY KYLE WOOD
QA &
Where are you from originally ? Florence , Italy , one of the most famous cities in the world for museums . I lived in the heart of Florence and a 15-minute walk from the famous Dome of Florence . It is a beautiful city with a great history . It is a romantic city built before the birth of Christ .
What did you do for work in Italy ?
That ' s funny because my entire career was working for nightclubs . I worked as an art director , organizing parties , arranging the DJs and doing it all . I also worked in promotions and did public relations for clubs and even managed them .
While doing this , I also worked as a fishing guide . I would go straight from the club and sleep for a half-hour and then go fishing with a client . It ' s sick and not normal doing that and not getting any sleep . I was also getting older
88 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | APRIL-MAY 2021