I wouldn't give up on that brush tho, at the right time they will be right back in it, especially in the spawn, I don't think the BG will have any effect on them leaving but I could be wrong, I tell you what I have found is a sunken brush pile by accident, way down deep, 10' or better, and pull some monsters off of it in hot weather, they don't like hot water, they will go deep to stay cooler, and if you can find a brush pile or structure at the correct depth I will almost guarantee you some slab crappy hanging out.
I think thats why, other then the tastiness, that makes them fun to catch, because when they aren't spawning and protecting the nest, they can be tricky to catch, or get them to bite.
Imo they require more finesse then a LMB to catch most of the time, of course there's always the times when they are spawning or pre spawn, or when they are over populated when you can catch one with every cast.
