What began as a fishing excursion turned out to be a whole lot more. The destination was Lake Blackshear near Cordele, GA. Blackshear is known as a good crappie lake and I wanted to get a sampling. As you get off I-75 and turn west into Cordele it looks like any other busy Interstate intersection. You see the usual array of restaurants, gas stations and hotels, but as you drive through the development around the interstate you find the charm of a small Georgia town and a friendly atmosphere oozing with southern hospitality.
As you continue west through town an just outside and opposite the welcoming gates to Lake Blackshear you will see a little country store. You can tell at first sight it is going to be something different. Maybe it is the huge pink pig on the porch? With a little research I found out that the Stripling’s General Store dates back over 50 years from humble beginnings as a small grocery store to what it is today. It has been in its current location near Lake Blackshear since 1991.
Stripling’s is an outdoorsman’s dream store. Hunters and fishers alike can stop in and stock up for the days activities. I always look first for the Beanie Weenies. They had em’ and I knew I have found my food source for my visit to Blackshear.
The little general store handles a full line of grocery items. Specialty items from pickled quail eggs, jams and jellies, and jerky will appeal to most outdoorsmen’s tastes. Every morning their warming cases are stocked with breakfast items and before noon they are filled with hot grab-and-go lunch items. Their carryout food is quick, easy and delicious.
The Stripling reputation for service and quality comes from a long history that started with a special recipe for Stripling’s Sausage. Sausage is their specialty, but their meat case holds so many options it will give a hungry angler just what he looking for. Believe me, you don’t want to miss this place. As they say at the store, “You Never Sausage A Place.”
As we left Stripling’s General Store I spotted a bait shop behind some trees and right next door. Of course I figured it needed a visit. Once entering the One Stop Bait & Tackle I met Wanda Carter. “We have enjoyed living on the lake for 23 years,” said Carter. “It is very beautiful here.” Continue – http://www.examiner.com/review/review-lake-blackshear-ga-a-great-angling-destination?CID=examiner_alerts_article