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I almost always schedule a trip just before Memorial Weekend to Erie where we HQ on South Bass Island. Mostly we hit good weather, but mostly isn't always as this year proved. We headed out for a short afternoon trip on Sunday when we arrived. I had a plan in mind when we launched, but scrapped that plan quickly when we saw the dirty, brown water.  We tried a couple of spots, more interested in sonar fish and how they'd react. Finally, we headed way east and did find some clearer water, set up again and did pick up enough fish for four guys and two gals for dinner and we had a plan for the next day. 

The next day had gentle winds and we headed east again. Not lot's of fish out there, but we had a steady pick and limited by noon.  Then the wind machine turned on with easterlies upwards of 20 mph. We fished the west side of South Bass with a thousand other boats safely and comfortably. Actually there was more fish on the screen and once we figured out the fish were more interested in small baits than long deep divers like Bandits, we managed a "half-limit" from the brown water. 

Next day we puttered around the same area, South Bass to Green to Rattlesnake, early on since the wind was to go flat in the afternoon. Took the wives to lunch and planned to head back out when the rain-machine turned on. Afternoon was a wash-out with heavy rain and lightning. 

Next day (Thursday) dawned with 30 mile winds from the west and no respite predicted, plus persistent rain all day. We through in the towel, packed it up and got a free car wash on the ferry ride to the mainland with 6 to 8 foot waves splashing over the boat crossing the south passage. Pay backs for the past few great trips, for sure. But a trip with friends and family is never a waste. 

They say "revenge is sweet" so we are already plotting our next trip.