Entry 71-3
Emily Shaffer On Handling Different Fishing Situations And The Baits And Colors She Uses
Other Ways to Handle Different Fishing Situations
Editor's Note: Emily Shaffer of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, a member of Strike King’s professional team, and a 9-time Bassin’ Gals Classic qualifier, has three first-place titles, 15 top-10 finishes and the WBFA 2002 Angler-of-the-Year title. With her career winnings at just over $200,000, Shaffer holds the record for the single largest bass, 9.01 pounds, weighed in at a Bassin’ Gals Classic event, beating the 25-year history of the Bassmasters Classic and the 19-year history of Bassin' Gals Classic.
Question: What do you do when the lake muddies-up?
Shaffer: I’ll cast a crankbait, a Diamond Shad or a plastic worm in the fire-tiger or bubble gum colors. You want something bright and noisy because the fish lose their eyesight in muddy water.
Question: What do you do when the bass are refusing to bite?
Shaffer: Sometimes that is just going to happen, but I’ll give myself an hour to fish an area. You need to take into consideration the time of year, because the fish may be spawning.
Question: What do you do when the lure you’re fishing isn’t working?
Shaffer: I’ll change retrieves and presentation, and then if that doesn’t work, I’ll switch colors of the same lure. Then if that doesn’t work, I’ll change lures completely.
