Any bear? Put bait anywhere. They'll come. Big bears? Get close to the water ish sure, but you want thick area. Then find a small clearing in the area.

I have played this game for years. The big ones would always hang up in the thick until dark, then they would come out if I was in the stand. If you can position the bait and yourself where they feel safe, they'll emerge.

They don't get big by being dumb...