I fish a pretty good size private pond sometimes that probebly hasnt had a line dropped into it in about 20 years. You can see the monster bass swimming all around on top of the water when the sun comes out. Ive probebly through the whole sporting goods section at wal mart on top of there heads and they wont hit anything. The "one" thing i can get them to hit and catch a few a day on is a live bluegill about 2-5 inches in lenth hooked through the uper part of the back with no weight and a float about 2 feet above the bait.
There is a sure way to catch these bass. They are probably getting ready to spawn, so if you do catch them, release them.
Take a tube bait rigged wacky style on a carolina rig. Shove half a Alka-seltzer in it and throw it in the bed. They have to hit it.