On the subsurface bite...we are getting to a time of the year when things cool off and surface action subsides.  Try Carolina rigging the snake on about a 3 foot leader. Since it floats, it will stay up off the bottom, but below the surface.  Fish it very slow and steady.  If that doesn't work, try very short twitches with long pauses.  To locate fish, try slow, electric motor trolling a swimming snake around the edge of the ledge, or any types of structure,grass beds,pads, that you find. Remember cooler weather slows everything down so slow methodical presentations are key. As mentioned numerous times, these big gals have seen it all, and did not get to be trophy size through sheer luck, you must be as natural as you can in your presentation of any lure you use not just the Snake. Envision in your mind or even better try to witness prey in it's environment and how it acts normally, these are the actions you must imitate wth you lures.