Meet the Aggies

Texas A&M heading to CF National Championship

(Editor’s note: Leading up to the inaugural National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship, which will be held at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., April 10-12, CollegeFishing.com will post semiweekly feature stories highlighting the 25 teams that qualified. At stake in the tournament is a prize package of $100,000 and a chance to compete in the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup.)

Club Web site: anglers.tamu.edu

Q&A

CollegeFishing.com: How were you introduced to fishing?

Shafer: When I was 4 years old, my dad took me “perch jerking” off the end of our dock at Lake Palo Pinto. From that moment on, I was hooked! I continued to fish for just about anything that would bite the end of my line until I was around 10 years old. As I started getting older, I grew a strong passion for bass fishing in local stock ponds. I grew up out in the country with thousands of ponds, nice neighbors that didn’t mind me fishing on their land and a four-wheeler that I could carry all my tackle around on. When I turned 16, I got my first boat and began fishing working-man tournaments and a few little weekend tournaments. That led me to where I am today, fishing college tournaments and trying to make a name for myself.

Manley: I was introduced to fishing by my dad and grandpa. I grew up learning how to fish on the Sabine River and Sabine Lake as well as Sam Rayburn.

CollegeFishing.com: What style of fishing are you most comfortable with?

Shafer: If I was fishing a tournament and was only allowed one rod on the boat, it would have to be my C-Rigging Rod. When I really need a bite or when I am out of other options, this is my go-to rod. I feel that no matter where I am at, what depth or whatever time of year it may be, I am going to catch something when it’s in my hand.

If I had a choice, I would rather be flipping timber and sight-fishing all day. I feel that I am very strong at both of these methods and enjoy that shallow, power-fishing style day in and day out.

Manley: I am most comfortable throwing a Carolina rig in the mid-depth ranges, usually around rocks and grass lines. My second-most comfortable method of fishing is flipping docks and lay-downs.

CollegeFishing.com: What did it feel like to qualify for the inaugural National Championship? How do you plan to prepare for the big event?

Shafer: It was a great honor, and we were just proud that all our hard work and dedication paid off. We are very thankful for all of our support and sponsors. We could not be more excited to get the chance to fish in the Forest Wood Cup and compete with the professionals.

In preparation for the event, my partner and I took mainly online classes so that we could do as much practice as possible. We will do extensive research online, but nothing beats time on the water. So we plan on doing a lot of prefishing; we are going to leave at the beginning of March, and we will fish all the way up until the off-limits period begins.

Manley: It’s an amazing feeling to qualify for the National Championship, especially coming back from fifth place on day three and winning the regional event. The chance of advancing to the Forest Wood Cup makes it even that much more exciting. Very few people have the opportunity to try and qualify for the Cup.

CollegeFishing.com: Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people wouldn’t know.

Shafer: I am a supervisor at a nursing home. I love spending time with the residents and listening to all their crazy stories and advice. Every once in a while I even get to swap a fishing story with someone too.

Manley: Both Andy and I work at a nursing home to help cover the expenses of tournament fishing.