Who Are Your Fellow Anglers?
By CAPT MEL BERMAN. 970-WFLA

Have you ever wondered what some of your fellow fishing enthusiasts do when they're not behind a rod and Reel? Apparently, one of our forum members did. It was one of the most compelling collections of information to come out of our popular web site forums.

“SPF105” as he identifies himself to our message boards community, last year asked his fellow posters, “As I sit here writing this, I realize some people are able to get out on the water more than others, while I on the other hand never seem to have any free time (time to spend fishing.)  What do all of you in “computer land” do as far as jobs/career? I myself work at Vision Works as an Optometrist Tech.”

That one post has evoked about 135 responses and 4937 views. And collectively, the many replies proved conclusively that those of us who treasure a passion for fishing come from virtually every walk of life, spanning all age groups, and I would guess, every political perspective.

I found the feedback to be fascinating and in many instance quite surprising. Here is a sampling of some of the responses to SPF105’s insightful question.

”Facility Management. Now that you bring up the subject, I was just offered a job in Ft. Meyer, but I do not know yet if I am going to take it. I bet the snook fishing is good down there.”

” Park Manager for the State of Florida. 30+ years with the Park Service. Worked from Fernandina to the Keys, St Augustine to Osprey.”

"I am a reproductive physiologist aka reproductive microbiologist aka embryologist and I am sure that a few of the other forum members will add more job titles. I don't have much free time to fish but it is from having a new baby around not work."

"I have my own marine shop, but it seems some times that I get everyone’s boat ready to go to the water but I never get to go it seems like"

"7th grade language arts teacher at Oak Grove Middle in Clearwater and a Registered Trainee Property Appraiser on the side "

"Bachelors of Science in Nursing, Registered Nurse. I work for the VA at Bay Pines which is right on the water. Beautiful campus. Ii get out and throw parties sometimes before or after work. I work 2nd shift so i have mornings free to fish which is nice... Oh yea, and a very understanding wife"

"Bus Driver, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority"

"Bridge Inspector ... My job takes me around water all them time, and some fine fishing holes. Because of a "few" worthless county and state employees we are no longer allowed to travel with a pole in any of are vehicles. What really bites is after hours I could be fishing. It's not worth taking the chance. I have family to feed. Come the weekend though; snookums here, snookums there, snookums everywhere."

"I.B.E.W 915"

"3rd year Criminology/Business Administration (Pre-Law) Student at The University of Florida! It's a FULL TIME JOB! Please keep up the interesting posts, I live vicariously through you all! Seeing as how reading your posts is as close as I can get to fishing for 99% of the year!"

"I work for an airline at TPA and I fly a little on the side for a couple of small companies."

"Professional handyman. I’ve been called and have done jobs from Port Richey to Longboat key all the way over to Stuart, Jensen beach and Melbourne. I even had one customer beg me to go to New Jersey and remodel a basement for her.(that ain't gonna happen) I used to fish 2 to 3 times during the week but now that my business has taken off the last couple of years I haven't had as much time. Its sad but now when I'm out on the water during the week I have to shut my phone off or if I answer I have to lie and tell them I'm on a job and will have to get back with them."

"I am a Recording Engineer at Ron Rose Productions in Tampa . We produce a lot of television and radio commercials, so if anyone happens to need a radio or TV spot produced I'm your man!"

"Full time bum... plenty of time to catch all those fish while you guys are slaving... lol"

"Aerospace engineer, although since I own the company, I don't get to do very much engineering anymore."

"Law Enforcement"

"Assistant Superintendent for a large construction management company."
"Sales manager for a frozen wholesale seafood distributor. I also own a seafood import company. I import Fresh Tuna's from The Spice Islands & South America."
"USAF for the past 24 years."

"I am a logistics manager for Employee Leasing Solutions. We specialize in supporting construction trades with payroll, Taxes, and Worker's Comp Insurance."

As you can see, we are a highly diverse lot, from virtually every walk of life, sharing one concept -- a great love for our fishing pastime.