Entry 71-4
Emily Shaffer On Handling Different Fishing Situations And The Baits And Colors She Uses
Emily Shaffer’s Tactics For Fishing Various Types Of Bait
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 are some tactics you use to fish spinner baits?
Shaffer: In muddy water, I like Colorado blades. If I’m fishing in a tournament, I will use a trailer hook because it increases my chances of catching a bass. Sometimes I’ll use a shad-type bait because it looks like a minnow. For summertime fishing and/or clearer water, I like to fish with a chartreuse-and-blue color with a gold-and-silver blade combination. When fishing a spinner bait, I’ll use Stren’s 14- or 17-pound-test line. The type of retrieve I use for a spinner bait depends on the water temperature.
Question: What are some tactics you use to fish crankbaits?
Shaffer: I love Strike King’s Series 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and wish Strike King would make a Series 7. I’ll throw a shad-colored crankbait in clear water, a parrot color on sunny days and a fire-tiger color for muddy water. I’ll use 12-pound-test Stren line on a crankbait for just about all conditions. The only exception is when I’m fishing in grass. Then, I’ll use a heavier line to keep the bait up to kick the grass.
