An ecosystem is a community of living organisms and their physical environment, functioning as a unit. An ecosystem includes abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) components and can range in size from a tiny puddle to the entire planet. Components of an ecosystem include plants, animals, fungi, microorganisms, and Bass. Abiotic components include sunlight, temperature, water, rocks, and soil. Together, these components form a complex web of relationships,an autonomous system. Ecosystems are essential for the survival of all living things and constantly change in response to external forces. Understanding and putting the pieces together about the ecosystem you are fishing in will help your catch more fish and be a more successful fisherman! Fishing is 90% mental and 10% physical. Figure out the puzzle for, that day and you will catch fish.

You should know the five senses of a bass: Sight, hearing & feeling, smell and taste. A bass is primarily a sight feeder. The Bass must see your lure. Bass can see color. They have cones and rods, like human beings, so that they can see color. We don’t know precisely how well they see specific colors. Bass eyes are very sensitive to light. They can see much better at night and in dark situations. They can see three times better than human beings. If you can see 3 feet in the water, they can see roughly 15. Natural colors like brown and green pumpkins in clear water are essential. Black and blue are good color choices for most conditions. Dirty water reflects the particles in .the water Black/Blue, chartreuse, and reds are good choices. Gold blades in dirty water are a good choice. Bass can see left, right, front, and above but not below. When casting, think about how the Bass would see your lure.

Hearing and feeling is the second sense to think about. Sound and feeling are to attract their attention. When something hits the water, a pressure wave is created and pushed through the water. That pressure wave hits the Bass. The Bass has an organ called an Otolith which is like an ear. The lateral line runs down their body and sense sounds or water pressure. They also have an air bladder. Think of a bubble of air. It controls the bass buoyancy. Remember that Bass is still a sight feeder so the sound of the lure is to get the attention of the Bass. You want them to search for your bait. You want it to see your bait and eat it when they look for it. Being quiet on the water is extremely important because the noise in the boat makes noise in the water. Sounds do not transfer into the water from the air, so it is ok to talk but keep it quiet. 

A bass can smell and taste, and it is the least important sense for a bass. They complement the other senses. On the other hand, catfish are loaded with smell and taste sensors, but this blog is not about catfish. A bass has two nostrils-like sensors and can taste when things are inside its mouth. Scents applied to your baits can help get that extra bite or help a bass stay on just a second longer for you to set the hook. When the Bass bites your lure, it will also feel and taste better when your bait is in its mouth. Try to appeal to all five senses. 

Bass are cold-blooded. Therefore, they will be lethargic in cold water, and their metabolism will be slower. Therefore, they will not have to eat as much. When the water warms up, the Bass warms up. This means they will have a faster metabolism and need to eat more. Keep that in mind when you are out there trying to figure out the Bass when you are out on the water.

Spawning cycles are hugely important to understand and figure out when you are out on the water. Spring every year is the spawning season. This controls most of what they do. 

The water they live in significantly affects the Bass’ mood and feeding pattern. Pay attention to the oxygen levels in the water. Cold water holds more oxygen, and warm water contains less oxygen.

Water temperature is critical in the Spring and Fall. In early spring, when things warm up, the fish will get more active. Largemouth bass will move to shallow waters to spawn when the water temperature generally reaches between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range is ideal for Bass to spawn and lay their eggs. Bass will usually spawn in the Northwest side of lakes and the upper areas of reservoirs, which tend to be slightly warmer than other areas of the lake. After a warm rain, Bass often spawn in shallow creek arms with wood and weed cover. During the pre-spawn period, largemouth Bass will start moving in from the depths closer to the shallow flats they will use as their spawning areas when the water temperature generally depends on your location between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature difference makes the difference. Remember, the surface temperature of the water only really matters in shallow water. In deeper water, the temperature of the lake changes much slower. Temperature is the most important in the transitions of spring and fall. It is generally better to have a water temperature that is increasing versus a water temperature that is decreasing due to cold fronts. This will help dictate how fast you should be fishing. Cooling water means slowing down and finesse fishing with things like jigs and drop shots. Warming water generally means speeding up, so try spinnerbait and swim jigs. 

A thermocline is a layer of water in lakes where the temperature changes. It is the transition layer between warmer water at the lake’s surface and cooler deep water below the warm water in the summer. In the thermocline, temperature decreases rapidly from the mixed upper layer of the lake to much colder deep water in the thermocline. At the thermocline in summer, algae may bloom, zooplankton will eat the algae, and baitfish will eat the zooplankton. These schools of baitfish attract larger fish like Bass. This is usually around 25 feet or so. In the fall in northern lakes, the upper water layer cools when it becomes colder than the lower layer. The lake flips called a fall turnover, the lower water layer moves up, and the upper layer moves down. 

Pay attention to your surroundings. For example, try those locations where birds are chasing baitfish, or if you find baitfish on your sonar try there. 

Weather is a BIG factor when fishing. Monitor the weather before you decide to go out. Stable warming weather is generally better. Cooling weather means typically you want to slow down and finesse fish. The wind is another factor when the wind breaks the surface of the water. This adds oxygen and pushes water into a shoreline. This stirs the water against that windblown shore which moves the zooplankton against the windblown shore. The baitfish will be on that windblown shore, so the Bass will likely be there too. The only real exception would be during the spawn.

Some more ecology tips:

• Cover – Bass can see better than humans. They see great in dark light or shade, better than baitfish. Try targeting cover with shade they will use that to their advantage to ambush their prey.
• Sometimes don’t match the hatch – Give the Bass something slightly different than the baitfish they are gorging on.
• Current – The Bass will face the flowing current. This is because their gills are designed to flow water from their mouth, over their gills, and out the back of their gills. Keep that in mind when deciding on your cast.
• Turnover – During turnover, try moving to another part of the lake. The lake turns over at different times based on the water temperature. The north and west parts of the lake heat up most, and first. The southeast part of the lake may be the first to turnover.
• Try fishing shallow – Bass will generally be shallow many times during the year. They will move up to warm up, feed, mate, or leverage cover.
• Watch Birds and Baitfish – Birds are eating and searching for bait, and so will the bass. 
• Take whatever bite the fish gives you, and pay attention to the ecosystem when and where that bite happened. It could help unlock the puzzle of the pattern that works for the day.
• Feeding times vary – pay attention and be patient; sometimes you have the right lure and technique. The feeding time may not be just right.
• No one knows it all – Try stuff out and get out there – time with a pole in your hand out in nature is one of the best ways to learn and gain confidence – Some things will not be explained to you; you have to feel it. Get out there, explore, and make memories. 
• Take care of nature – We want to all fish tomorrow. What you carry in, you carry out. If you see trash that should not be there, remove it. Never leave your junk or harmful things in nature.