I do a lot of canal fishing, and this time of year its a little tough to connect with bass. Sounds like you threw everything you had at em with little or no success. Sometimes its like that. You will see surface breaking fish when walking the canals eveywhere, but it does not mean what you see are bass?
Iam now using a senko green in color and working it very very slowly next to the bank, this seems to produce at times when nothing else will. Many times they hit on the fall, be sure to let them eat it a little longer, before setting the hook. Or you will pull it right out of their mounths.
I fish in West Palm next to the turnpike but fish in Miami as well. I caught a good fishing this morning. Be kind folks, this picture was taken with a cell phone, but the size of his head should give a clue, as to the poundage. Hope this picture attaches.
Good luck.