This the time of year that the males start to protect the females so the females can spawn.The smaller the body of water the quicker it warms up,thats why the fish were slapping your puppy.(that doesnt sound right,har)The fish are not really in a feeding mode once they start to pare up for the spawn,most of the time they will just hit a lure but not open there mouth to eat it.Next time try a dark colored Senko in 6" and just dead stick it,you should get the bigger females to hit it.


As far as the buzzbait goes,that bite wont get really good till post spawn,but you might get a few during pre spawn.Like Brian said keep it on the surface and change you retreive after each cast.