Bob Bramblet
DAY JOB: SERGEANT FOR THE LEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MOONLIGHTING: ADVENTURE FILM PRODUCER, OUTDOOR COMMUNICATOR
Kayak anglers know Bob Bramblet as co- star, director and producer of the kayak fishing road-trip film, Bass on the Road, but if you break the law in Lee County, Florida, you might meet Sergeant Bramblet at the county jail. Between fishing in tournaments, making films and writing about kayak fishing, Bramblet is a shift supervisor for the Lee County Sheriff’s Department where he manages the staff and monitors inmates. “My shift consists of 12 hours of con- trolled chaos,” he jokes. While Bramblet loves fishing, he values his job off the water because it is a stable source of income and allows him to help other people. “I love the camaraderie I share with my brothers and sisters in uniform,” he explains, “we are a close-knit family.” Bramblet’s job also gives him a lot of free time. “I only work 14 days each month,” he says, “so that leaves a lot of time for fishing.” Balancing work and play is no problem for Bramblet, “I leave my work problems at work,” he says, “when I’m off duty I don’t think about it.” Occasionally, the two worlds collide. “I was active on a message board and several inmates have asked if I am ‘bo- nitabob’,” he says. “Having my online identity unmasked was a little weird.” For anglers looking to follow his footsteps, Bramblet has sober advice: “Remember that kayak fishing is not a way of life,” he says. “Being a good person is a way of life. If you work hard, you can eventually play hard, and that is when it’s time to fish.”
action. DIGITAL EXTRA: Click here to watch Bob Bramblet in
Jay Brooks
DAY JOB: SUPERVISOR, TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ADMINISTRATION; CAPTAIN, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE MOONLIGHTING: SPONSORED ANGLER, BLOGGER, OUTDOOR WRITER
Jay Brooks is a thrill seeker, on and off the water. As a TSA officer, Brooks walks the razor’s edge protecting America’s airports. As a USMC Captain stationed in Afghanistan, he protects America’s interests abroad. When he’s off duty, he serves the kayak fishing community through his
Virginiakayakfisherman.com blog and as a contributor to Kayak Angler. “I wanted Americans to be safe traveling so I joined TSA,” he says, “then I wanted more adventure, so I joined the Marines.” Kayak fishing appeals to him for the same reasons, “I can improve and test my skills and share what I learn with others,” he explains. Brooks describes himself as an adrenaline junkie
ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTIONS IS KAYAK FISHING PROS DON’T WORK
who loves the challenge of facing the unknown. At work and on the water, he looks forward to solving problems that pop up. “I never know what I’m going to get,” he says, “and I have to react differently to each situation.” Brooks discovered kayak fishing while attending Texas A&M, and immediately
turned his energy and intelligence to learning all he could and improving his skills. “One of the biggest misconceptions is kayak fishing pros don’t work,” he laughs. “I still work nine to five and get in time to fish on weekends and after work.” Balancing kayak fishing and Semper Fi has been more difficult. “In training I would work five days a week and drive home every weekend to fish,” he recalls. “Now that I’m stationed in Afghanistan, I’m studying about fish that I want to target when I return.”
Brooks’ two worlds have collided on the front line where he works with local Afghanis on security and civil issues. “My Afghan counterpart was notoriously hard to work with,” he says. When Brooks showed him kayak fishing photos, the man lit up and told Brooks that he is also a fisherman. “We’ve had a great rela- tionship since,” he beams, “fishing is something people all over the world share.”
54…KAYAK ANGLER
PHOTO: COURTESY BOB BRAMBLET
PHOTOS: COURTESY JAY BROOKS
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