Most types of bass can see relatively well even in dirty and stained water, but fish also always seem to bite better when a lakes surface is perfectly calm. The reason for this is referred to by Lake Texoma Striper fishing guide, Mark Banister, Jr. as the Mirror Effect. Fish are constantly adjusting to changing light which is the reason why anglers often change the colors of lures during the day and as they fish at different depths. Changing light below the surface is not a sudden change, but more of a gradual shadings of diminishing illumination from morning to noon, from noon to evening and then from evening to night.
At the surface where a lure first enters the water the change in color is abrupt. Light is bounced around, broken up and disrupted by ripples on the waters surface.
When the water is completely calm, we see what looks like a sheet of glass; the fish see this calm entirely differently than we see up top. The fish are looking up into a mirror of sorts. This partially distorts and somewhat impairs their ability to see through the surface and what is above.The fish can still see a bug or a lure on the surface, as well as the reflections of objects and bait that are below the surface. This is known as the mirror effect. When the water is motionless on the surface the mirror created underneath reflects large areas where the fish can see predators as well as prey that they could not see when the surface is distorted by choppy water.
