At our wedding reception, Pete and I had goldfish in flower vases as centerpieces to celebrate the fishing lifestyle. One of Pete’s uncles commented dryly: “I’m glad neither of you are equestrians.”

Who would have thought years later we actually would have encountered this exact scenario? Elite Series pro Brandon Cobb and his wife Amy mix and match precisely those two lifestyles.

This is why I love meeting the anglers’ wives and finding out how it all began and more about them. Many times I find we have something, however unlikely, in common.

HPFC: Can you share the story of how you and your husband first crossed paths?

Amy Cobb: Brandon and I were both attending Clemson University when we met as sophomores in 2009. He was being set up with my roommate by a mutual friend, and I was dating someone else at the time. He and my roommate didn’t hit it off and I never really saw him again until about six months later.

I had just broken up with my then boyfriend and that same mutual friend, Tanner, begged me to let him set me up with Brandon. I said, “Why not?” So the next night we met up at a friend’s party and we really hit it off. But he didn’t stay long because he had a tournament the next morning. Shocker! Haha .

Ever since that night we have been pretty much inseparable. But it wasn’t until we were on the way to a friend’s wedding a couple of months later that we officially started dating. In the truck before we pulled up he said, “So how do I introduce you? Are you my girlfriend?” I said something to the effect of, “Yeah, that sounds about right.” Neither of us have ever had a way with words.

We dated for quite some time after that, seven years actually before he decided to pop the question. He proposed at the farm where I kept my horses. I knew something was up that day when I saw his truck at the barn. He didn’t come to the barn unless I asked him to. The delusional horse girl in me thought, “Oh my gosh what if he’s going to surprise me with a new horse!?” I walked in the barn and was even more excited to see he had gotten me a yellow lab puppy. Briggs (as he would later be named) was in a little box with an envelope. The card read “Mrs. Cobb??” It took me a second because I was so excited about the puppy but I finally caught on.

We got married a year later in November of 2017. That puppy is now 9 years old and is the best part of my life. No dog will ever be as special as him. We don’t have any kids but to me, Briggs is our kid and is just as special because he reminds me of that day and our story every time I see him.

It wasn’t until years later, Brandon, Tanner and I were reminiscing about our college years and how he got us together that I learned just how long this had been in the works. I found out Brandon had told Tanner the very first night he met me, he said, “I’m going to marry that girl.”

I’m glad he was right!

HPFC: What were your initial impressions of your husband when you first met him?

Amy Cobb: Obviously, I thought he was super cute. Loved that he liked being outdoors and hunting. Country guys look great in camo! I also really liked his truck.

HPFC: Did you know anything about fishing when you first met?

Amy Cobb: I did know a little bit. I’m the oldest of two girls and I’m pretty sure my dad wanted a son, so I got to do all the fun tomboy things. My dad taught me how to fish at a young age. I had gone fishing a lot on Lake Jocassee growing up. We never caught much but I knew how to cast and do basic things. Don’t ask me to tie a knot, though.

HPFC: What did you know about professional bass fishing before you met?

Amy Cobb: I didn’t even know it was a sport, honestly.

HPFC: Was there a specific moment or event that made you realize your feelings were more than just friendship?

Amy Cobb: Nothing specific, just felt right from the start.

HPFC: How long have you been married?

Amy Cobb: Eight years.

HPFC: When you met was he already fishing professionally or did he have another job?

Amy Cobb: He was fishing local tournaments and BFLs. He and a friend help start the Clemson Bass fishing team. He was always meant to fish professionally. That was the only path he saw and he made it happen.

HPFC: How did the two of you come to terms with him going out and living his dream?

Amy Cobb: Having navigated those waters from the start, it never felt like we had to adjust. That’s just how our life was from the start. So it’s always been normal.

HPFC: What doubts might you have had with him going on tour and how did you overcome them?

Amy Cobb: I’ve never doubted him or his lifestyle. I do worry about his safety but I’ve never doubted him.

HPFC: How do you manage the frequent separation and limited time together due to his on the road schedule?

Amy Cobb: We are both extremely independent. I travel year-round for horse shows so it actually helps us. Neither of us feel guilty for being away because we both are so often. I love my alone time. I think the saying “distance makes the heart grow fonder” is true. We get to live our lives with each other while doing our own thing with no limits.

HPFC: How do you adjust when your husband returns home after being away for weeks at a time practicing or from competitions?

Amy Cobb: There’s really no adjustment. It’s just normal. We don’t really miss a beat. The biggest thing I have to get used to again is remembering to put the toilet seat back down after he’s been gone for weeks! Haha.

HPFC: Are there any activities or special events that you and your husband enjoy doing when you are together after he has been gone all season?

Amy Cobb: We both travel so much, just being home is the most relaxing.

HPFC: Which is harder: pro bass fishing or equestrian sports?

Amy Cobb: That’s a loaded question! I have never been a pro fisherman so I can’t speak to that and I can’t begin to try to understand the mental and physical demands of the sport. But I know the amount of time and dedication required by both is immense. Both sports involve animals and they have a mind of their own. You could do absolutely everything right and it still does not go your way. You have to get used to disappointment. So I think they are both mentally challenging. Both are also dangerous, fishing mostly due to environmental conditions. Horses are also dangerous since you’re sitting on a huge flighty animal that’s afraid of its own shadow.

HPFC: You and Brandon did a great series of tackle videos. How have you made it this far without being overwhelmed by fishing?

Amy Cobb: I think we support each other by not interfering with what’s needed for us to be successful in our sports. I’ve never felt overwhelmed by his fishing. I’m sure he’s felt overwhelmed by his job at times, which goes with the territory. But as a couple I haven’t felt that way. People should live their lives for them and not rely solely on someone else for their own happiness. You need to have your own outlet. I live my life for me, not someone else. The person you’re with should add to your happiness and shouldn’t keep you from doing anything that makes you fulfilled. And Brandon and I have that in each other. Being two extremely independent, competitive, and confident individuals, we work perfectly together.

HPFC: Do you have any pet peeves about your husband?

Amy Cobb: He likes to leave every light on in the house.

HPFC: What do you think your husband’s pet peeves are of you?

Amy Cobb: There’s probably quite a few -- but I’m really bad about getting the mail. I get it but then leave it in weird places. Oftentimes I get distracted and play with the dog, then I leave it outside and it ends up in the yard. Not good when sponsors mail him checks.

HPFC: What are your retirement plans?

Amy Cobb: Brandon is the responsible one and probably knows the answer to that.

HPFC: What is something off the wall that no one knows about the two of you.

Amy Cobb: We are complete opposites in almost every other way. Nearly every food or drink he likes, I hate. We have a very different sense of humor; different taste in movies and shows, the list goes on. But we really are so different!