Angler #6, Emily Shaffer
Emily Shaffer had never been on Lake Mitchell before qualifying
for the Women’s Bassmaster Tour Championship. To prepare for the upcoming competition
Emily will be spend her practice time learning the lake. She knows she needs to learn as much about the uniqueness
of the lake as she can to give her an edge in locating fish when she returns for the Championship.
Asked if she thinks she can win the event, “It is important
you have confidence in yourself that you are going to win every tournament you enter”. Emily holds several awards
in the world of women’s competitive angling and has the skills to be the winner of the first WBT Championship.
Highlights of her career include: 1995 Bass n’ Gal Classic
Champion (Lake Athens,TX), 1997 Bassn’Gal 1st Pro – Am Champion (Lake Tenkiller,OK), 2000 WBFA Invitational Winner
(Lake Pickwick,AL), 2002 WBFA Angler-of-the-Year, 2005 WBFA Invitational Winner (Lake Eufaula, AL).
Another highlight came this year when she made the top six
at the Bull Shoals tournament. “When I went to Bull Shoals I was hoping to make the Championship. Making the top
6 was a bonus!” Emily stayed consistent all year, stayed focused and now has the opportunity to make history in
the world of fishing.
Echoing what others have said about the tough conditions each
of the women faced at the tournaments this year, Emily says, “The last three tournaments have been the most challenging
of my career. At Lake Norman I started figuring them out with a jig. At Dardanelle Lake they were also on a jig and I started
fishing for them deeper than at Norman. At Bull Shoals I finally figured them to be in shallow water early and after the sun
came out they went DEEP. On Friday I know I caught a smallmouth in 52 feet of water. I was using 10 lb. fluorocarbon, a ¾
oz. Strike King prototype hopping jig, on a 6’6” 787 All Star rod and a President Pflueger reel”. The
jig proved to be her go to bait throughout the season.
Professional angler, is not just descriptive of the tournament
entry, it is a way of life for Emily. She exudes professionalism when preparing for an event. To be able to stay in
contention for the Championship she would arrive at the lakes several days in advance and be on the water, four to six days
in advance of the official practice days.
Emily says, “My inspiration is my family. My brother
passed away in 1995, my Dad in 1999, and my Mom in 2005. My lucky charm is my husband, Larry, if it wasn’t for his patience
I would not be where I am today He has had a hard time teaching me but I think he now realizes it has been worth it”!
Coming from a close family Emily says, “I’ve was
blessed growing up that my family spent time with me in the outdoors. My first fishing trip I remember was with my Mom and
brother. My Dad had to work so Mom took us to a small lake not far from our house. My brother was four years older than me.
I was catching fish and he wasn’t so he threw his rod and reel in the water. After Mom scolded him he had to wade in
the water and retrieve his rod and reel. As I got older I figured out what was wrong with him! How many times in my career
have I wanted to throw my rod and reel in”!
Emily and Larry live at Mt. Juliet, Tennessee and considers
her home lake Percy Priest. She has been tournament fishing for over eighteen years. In addition to fishing the
WBT she also competes in some FLW tournaments. Other hobbies she enjoys are dove hunting and playing pool. To
unwind she climbs in the hot tub, saying, “It is so relaxing on your muscles after a long day of fishing. I also enjoy
my down time reading Bassmaster Magazine and Bass Times”.
Anglers she admires include Rick Clunn and Chris Houston.
On Rick she says, “I think he is part fish! I respect him for his abilities. His bass skills and his mind
are awesome”. About Chris, “I really miss her fishing with us. She is a great angler and Jimmy really needs
to listen to her on how to catch fish”.
The angler garnering her greatest respect is Kathy Majors.
Like most of the women fishing the WBT, Emily recognizes Kathy’s efforts on the ground floor working with BASS
to finally establish an all female field of professional anglers. “I respect her for going to bat for us.”
In addition to recognizing Kathy’s labor of love on
the behalf on women, she also thanks Deb Wilkinson, the WBT Tournament Director, saying, “She definitely has a full
plate”. Emily knows how long the road has been to get an organization with the clout and presence like BASS
to make the commitment to women, for that she offers, “Thank you to everyone that is helping us to make the sport grew
for the women”.
“Every tournament is exciting because it is so neat
to look out and see all the women with the same passion for the sport that I have. We are so blessed that ESPN and Bassmasters
have seen the gold mine waiting to happen that I have seen! I know there are more women out there like me and I feel
we are able to reach them NOW.
Emily Shaffer’s sponsors include: Evinrude Motors, Stratos
Boats, Strike King Lure Company, All Star Graphite Rods, Lowrance Electronics, Pflueger Reels, and Deka Batteries
ARTICLE COURTESY LADY BASS ANGLER AND CONNIE JENKINS
