emoScratch is probably what you're doing right now! It's a lake in the James H. Floyd state park where I took the family camping this weekend. This lake holds some BIG bass...the largest, caught by my son, weighed 9.3 but we saw several cruising the shallows that might hit the teens. To avoid the "All you ever want to do is fish!!!" line from my wife, we only dedicated one day to fishing. We fished from noon until 6 and boated at least a dozen in the 3-4lb range. Renting a john boat is a must...these bass are spooky when approached from the bank. If you ever go, take bluegill and baby bass pattern lures. A bluegill Pop-n-Image Jr. and baby bass fluke caught all the big fish and the small ones hit Yum crawbugs.
Sloppy Floyd Lake
- Thread starter jason
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DHaun
Well-known member
Great report Jason! How much is the boat rental? I had never heard of it but I may want to take my kids down there now that I see where it is. What other activities for the family do you recommend if your not fishing???
http://gastateparks.org/info/sloppy/
http://gastateparks.org/info/sloppy/
flip1up
Well-known member
WOW, thats a good fish. How old is your son? I have never heard of this place, might have to check it out.
RangerRob
Well-known member
Thanks Jason ... I know where I'm campin' next!!!!
My wife took care of the boat rental on-line...seems like it was around $12-$15 for the day. If I'm not mistaken, you can launch your own boat but are restricted to the trolling motor. We only fished the lower lake, which is deeper and has better bank cover, but I would love to view both lake bottoms with electronics.
As far as other activities, the scenery alone is worth the trip in the fall. We saw turkey and deer plus an assortment of reptiles...keep a close eye out for copperheads stalking minnows. There is a walking trail that borders both lakes as well as playgrounds at both the lake and in the camping area. Also, the upper lake has pedal boats you rent. The lakes have bass, bream, catfish and carp...we found the filleted remains of several cats on the bank that were easily 15-20lbrs. Check out the photo wall at the check-in station if you go.
flip1up, my son is 8 and is quite cocky about the fact that he caught a bass larger than any of his dad'semoEvil .
As far as other activities, the scenery alone is worth the trip in the fall. We saw turkey and deer plus an assortment of reptiles...keep a close eye out for copperheads stalking minnows. There is a walking trail that borders both lakes as well as playgrounds at both the lake and in the camping area. Also, the upper lake has pedal boats you rent. The lakes have bass, bream, catfish and carp...we found the filleted remains of several cats on the bank that were easily 15-20lbrs. Check out the photo wall at the check-in station if you go.
flip1up, my son is 8 and is quite cocky about the fact that he caught a bass larger than any of his dad'semoEvil .
RangerRob
Well-known member
I just read a little more on their website (thx for the link, DHaun) and noticed that the park is an access point for the Pinhoti Trail. I've always wanted to backpack that - in part or all. I could definately spend some quality time down there...
Thanks again Jason.
Thanks again Jason.
This was our first trip...we usually go to Fort Mountain. However, it was booked up so we came across Sloppy Floyd in the link above. We're already planning a spring trip...the spawn
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RangerRob, the Pinhoti runs through most of the national forest in North Georgia. We use it as an access point to several areas of public land that we hunt. Last year, while field dressing a buck at John's Mountain, a woman on horseback came by and started flipping out about animal rights...when I asked her how her horse felt about the bit in his mouth and the 300lb load on his back, she shut up.
.RangerRob, the Pinhoti runs through most of the national forest in North Georgia. We use it as an access point to several areas of public land that we hunt. Last year, while field dressing a buck at John's Mountain, a woman on horseback came by and started flipping out about animal rights...when I asked her how her horse felt about the bit in his mouth and the 300lb load on his back, she shut up.
polo-dog
Well-known member
Jason, thanks for the info on the big bass. It's great when kids get to beat out their dads every once in a while, we all know that doesn't happen very oftenemoSmile . It sounds like an exciting place to fish. I plan to check out the wesite. Also, good come back to the animal rights. It's too bad that some folks don't understand about controlled harvest and other very important parts of a wildlife management strategy that works if we all do our part to enjoy but not overharvest our resources. Let's all be part of the solution and try not to be part of the problem.
ranman
Well-known member
Wow! 9.3 that's great! The fish of a lifetime at 8yo!My cousin caught a 4lb smallmouth when he was 4yo and still talks about it to this day! Did you get to keep it ? I could handle letting it go but I would def. want a reproduction for the wall!
Congrats to your son!
Congrats to your son!
