Hadn't been out in a while, but had an opportunity to take my stepson's Boy Scout patrol fishing on Sunday. Middle of the day, so we targeted bluegill at Lake Los Carneros in Goleta. This lake does have some bass and catfish, but goes through an oxygen die-off every couple of years. It was a hot day, so I brought my two kayaks along, so the kids could have some fun (figured fishing would be slow, which it was).<P>They had a blast trading off in the kayaks, but as the late afternoon sun got low, I commandeered one of the yaks and went off in search of bites (anything! it was dead slow) in the shadows of shoreline brush and reeds. <P>Only one of the kids was into fishing (rather than just goofing around) from the yaks, so he accompanied me and I explained how the fish should be coming out about now, but still hanging around the reeds and the shadows. <P>I flipped my nightcrawler right up against the reeds and began to bump it along the bottom. "Fish On!" I yelled. I realized right away that this was no bluegill! This fish took me left, right, down and around, as my drag screamed and my 4-pound test line and light rod were straining to the max. The scout's eyes were wide as the bass' mouth as the massive monster broke water between the kayaks. (Probably 4-5 pounds, although on TV it'd be 8 pounds, easy). The kids on shore were hootin' and hollerin', as was I. <P>Not wanting to lose it in the reeds, and knowing that I could not afford to play it too long, I slowly worked it towards the kayak. As I brought it near, it peared at me with a look that could only mean one thing ... it knew that I was using a small, bluegill hook. A quick shake of its head and it was gone. My howl of dismay could be heard for miles.<P>I soon had to come in and give the kids another turn at the kayak, but we had to peel the fishing scout off the water. I think he's hooked! And I'll be back for the monster soon - this time with decent hooks! <BR>