Meet the Aggies

Paul Manley and Andrew Shafer of Texas A&M University share their thoughts about qualifying for the 2011 National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship

After starting the final round in fifth place, Texas A&M's Paul Manley and Andrew Shafer blew away the competition with a 17-2 limit. Photo by David A. Brown. Anglers: Paul Manley, Andrew Shafer.

February 22, 2011 • Gary Mortenson • Abu Garcia College Fishing

(Editor’s note: Leading up to the 2011 National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship, slated to be held April 7-9 on Kentucky Lake at Murray State University, CollegeFishing.com will be publishing semiweekly feature stories highlighting the 25 national championship qualifiers. At stake in the tournament is a first-place prize package worth $100,000 as well as a chance for the winning team to compete in the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup.)

Name: Paul Manley (pictured on left)

Class: Graduate

Major: Wildlife and Fisheries Science

Hometown: Orange, Texas

Other interests: Barbequing and (duck, deer and dove) hunting.

Name: Andy Shafer (pictured on right)

Class: Senior

Major: Wildlife and Fisheries Science

Hometown: Chatfield, Texas

Other interests: Basketball, racquetball, any water sport and football.

Club Web site: anglers.tamu.edu

Q&A

CollegeFishing.com: How were you introduced to fishing?

Manley: I was introduced to fishing by my dad but my grandpa also had a big influence in my fishing. I grew up fishing Sabine Lake for redfish and trout along with coastal marshes and river oxbows for bass. I started fishing tournaments seriously about three years ago. Now I fish between 30 and 40 times a year.

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 developed 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 carried 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.

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

Manley: I am most comfortable flipping shallow cover as well as power fishing shallow water with spinnerbaits, ChatterBaits, swim jigs, and swimbaits. I also don’t mind Carolina rigging points and ledges but prefer to fish shallow year round.

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.

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

CollegeFishing.com: What did it feel like to qualify for the 2011 FLW College Fishing National Championship? How do you plan to prepare for the big event?

Manley: It felt good to qualify for the national championship again. Last year’s event was top notch and I am looking forward to competing again. I will be heading up to Kentucky and practicing for the week before the water goes off limits.

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 pre-fishing. We are going to leave at the beginning of March and we will fish all the way up until the off-limits period begins.

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

Manley: I am a Life Safety/Maintenance supervisor at a nursing home in College Station. Andy and I just started a company that uses fishing as a type of therapy/activity for nursing homes and assisted living facilities. We are looking to expand it to fishing shows, corporate family events, festivals, and more.

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.