Pre spawn, spawn or post spawn

[Poison_21]

Last week the fishing around here was hot. Now, this week, the bass are right on the bank. I do not see any beds, but they act like they are defending. There are two to three bass in a given area. They will not bite. Are these fish spawning or waiting on females or what? I do not want to catch a bass on a bed anyways, but it is affecting the fishing.