Enrico Volpicelli is a name that has echoed in the Lazio and national spearfishing environment for years. A member of the historic
Apnea Passion Magazine: Enrico, when did your competitive experiences begin and how did your passion for spearfishing come about?
Enrico Volpicelli: I was born in Anzio, a town that lives by the sea, and my first approaches to fishing date back to when I was just nine or 10 years old. I used a pointed umbrella stick and enjoyed catching octopus and gobies among the rocks. I had no direct examples in my family, because both my father and brother were hunters, but as fate would have it, I met a gentleman on the beach who went out on his paddle boat every morning for spearfishing. He always came back with seabream, huge octopus and bass.
I was fascinated by him; I used to spend hours listening to his stories and helping him set up his equipment. One day he offered to accompany me and let me try out his rifle – a Mach 09, if I remember correctly. When I pulled the trigger my arm literally flew back! From that moment I thought of nothing else: I insisted to the point of convincing my parents to give me a small
Competitive fishing came soon after, thanks to a friend I met at sea, Roberto Praiola, who suggested I join a newly formed club in Anzio, in 1985. We were five or six enthusiasts and we organized small fishing trips. The following year I took part in my first competition, the Saint Fermina Trophy: out of 60 competitors I came sixth, with 14 wrasses and one seabream.
At first I lived the competitions lightly: it was enough for me to catch a nice fish and stay an hour to admire it, or I would get tired and leave early. Despite good results, consistency was lacking. In 1995 I made a decision: either I did things seriously or I quit. Everything changed from there. 1996 was a successful year and in 1997 came participation in my first Second Category Championship in Trapani. In 28 years I played 17 Second Category and 10 First Category championships, also winning several regional and provincial titles. The result in Bosa opened the doors to the national team, with which I participated and won, together with Gino Madeddu and the late Bruno De Silvestri, an important team trophy in Sardinia. Bruno in those years was a phenomenon, but I was also able to make my contribution.
AP: Are there any differences between the feelings you experienced the first time you qualified for an Absolute and those you experienced today after Mola di Bari?
Enrico Volpicelli: In 2005 I participated in a second category championship in Porto Scuso, where I finished ninth. The following year I competed in my first Absolute in Bosa, finishing eighth.
The sensations back then are hard to describe: fishing side by side with top athletes, sometimes even outpacing them and catching fish right under their fins… they were emotions that charged me to the max.
Today, the grit of yesteryear has waned somewhat, partly for practical reasons: age, long trips with the dinghy, the realization that I no longer fish beyond 20 meters, and the continual evolution of technology.
For work and family reasons, I can only do a few days of scouting — four at most — and bad weather often takes its toll. All this limits preparation, but the passion remains. I will decide my competitive future when I know where the 2026 Absolute will be held.
AP: You are known as one of the top experts in “grotto” fishing, but are there other techniques you favor?
Enrico Volpicelli: It is true that many people identify me with cave or grotto fishing, but I actually started with the aspect, chasing bass, bream, mullet and seabream.
With competitions, I then refined cave fishing, using a 60 and a flashlight, but when I fish on my own I prefer the 90 and practice ambushing groupers, dropping croakers and seabreams, or waiting for snappers and bass.
When I find ideal conditions, however, I take the 60 and go back to my origins: the “miner” digging through the rocks in search of the hidden fish.
AP: What do you think you did well in Mola’s Championship and what, on the other hand, you could have improved?
Enrico Volpicelli: I think I read the fishing areas well, identifying those with more fish movement both inshore and further offshore. The first day, with only 30 cm of visibility and a lot of suspension, I found areas of cleaner water and there I managed to catch two nice croakers, missing one and losing another really big one to the current.
Unfortunately, with an hour to go, a sharp pain in my ear forced me out.
In hindsight, I should have added a pound of lead to the treadle to fight the current and not lose the reference boulders. Also, on the second day, I should have gone down with the 90 on an area at 20 meters full of croakers from 300 grams to 2 kilos. I used the 60 and missed just the biggest fish.
AP: Do you expect the next Absolute to be a deep race? How will you prepare for it?
Enrico Volpicelli: Until I know where it will take place, it is difficult to make predictions. However, since it will be in June, I will begin preparation in February, alternating between swimming, running, long walks and, from April, lots of fishing in the sea to recover rhythm and sensitivity.
AP: You recently joined the Pescador team. What products have impressed you the most?
Enrico Volpicelli: With Dario from Pescador we had already been in touch for over a year, and finally, just ahead of the Mola championship, the collaboration became official.
I have been using his rifles for a long time, especially the Atlantic 60 and 90 models, both with closed head, as I like them. I immediately found a very good feeling, being able to hit even very difficult falling fish.
During the competition I also tried on the 5- and 3-mm Evo wetsuits: I was a little afraid of the transition from a custom-made to a standard one, but as soon as I put it on I appreciated the Yamamoto neoprene‘s softness, fit, and excellent thermal seal. The camouflage is effective, the patches on the knees and elbows protect well, and the one on the chest makes reloading the rifle easier. The only downside, I would say, is the lack of a relief zipper.
Also excellent is the mobile float line, which is sturdy and functional, as well as the spacious and durable duffel and gun bag.
Finally, the carbon fins amazed me with the progressive thrust and power they deliver when pushing off the bottom.
In summary, Enrico Volpicelli’s story is that of an athlete who has managed to combine passion, perseverance and respect for the sea. After nearly four decades of competitions and countless underwater adventures, he continues to be a reference point for the entire spearfishing community in Lazio – and beyond.
