There’s a term used on river fisheries called “blowing up the cover.” Bill Lowen who started the day in fifth place is doing just that. He’s working every single inch of his little area, which is what the term implies. In 25 minutes he moved his boat maybe a half foot, covering every inch around his bow. He knew the area held fish. In this situation the bass is likely focused on a specific piece of cover. You can put your bait a few inches away and the fish may not notice it.
But put the bait right in front of the fish and you get a bit. Lowen is working that strategy to a T.