I had much the same experience this weekend with the inshore bluefish. The fish are scattered and much less dense. Searching out slicks seemed to help. I usually have trouble telling if lure color makes a difference, but this weekend I couldn't buy a fish unless I used an orange Roberts Ranger.
Since my last orange Ranger became bluefish food Sunday, I ended up out at Horseshoe Shoal this morning, wireline jigging with parachute jigs. I think the big bluefish are beginning to settle in out there, as I picked up several 8-10 lb. fish in 20 ft. of water west of the shoal itself.
Since the bluefish arrived, I haven't found any bass outside of the estuaries.
Frank