Forums36
Topics40,963
Posts557,999
Members18,506
|
Most Online3,612 Jan 10th, 2023
|
|
11 members (JoshMI, Bobbss, JabariStokes, teehjaeh57, Rick O, Theeck, BamaBass9, Purplepiggies7, Sunil, Tinylake, Jward87),
1,471
guests, and
330
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 45
|
OP
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 45 |
My pond used to have cattails on one side that I caught a lot of good bass from. But the drought knocked them out. I was wondering if I should plant some or if anyone has anything better they would suggest for growing in and around water.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,314 Likes: 300
Moderator
|
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,314 Likes: 300 |
What kind of annual water fluctuation levels do you get?
Oh, do not replant cat tails. Very hard to get rid of and LMB may be attracted to the shade, not the cover. There are better options out there.
Last edited by FireIsHot; 04/25/14 01:40 PM. Reason: ADHD
AL
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 45
|
OP
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 45 |
It usually holds pretty steady, maybe a foot or so. But it hasnt completely filled up since the drought. Its getting there its just slow.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 45
|
OP
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 45 |
Any suggestions on what else to use besides cat tails?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,314 Likes: 300
Moderator
|
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,314 Likes: 300 |
2 things that come to mind are American pond weed, and hardy lilies. Both grow from the bottom and provide shade and cover. I like Colorado and Jack Wood lilies.
Bog or shoreline plants really won't give you what your after, and that's fun stuff to fish. One of my favorite plants to fish is primrose, and it's a nuisance plant at best. But, it's a nuisance plant that holds fish. It's very common down here, but can be overwhelming if it gets out of control.
AL
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 45
|
OP
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 45 |
I want lillys but have no idea how to plant them or get them started. I would assume I need to get the FA out...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,314 Likes: 300
Moderator
|
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,314 Likes: 300 |
I just use a spade, and plant them with the majority of the pads just at water level. They spread slowly, so 5-6' apart is what I normally do.
FA isn't an issue, and they should like the excess nutrients that caused the FA.
AL
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 45
|
OP
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 45 |
I gotcha, would it be better to plant them on a shallow slope or deep say like the dam?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 45
|
OP
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 45 |
Will willow trees grow in the water or just around ir
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,105
Member
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,105 |
I will defend the cattails. Yes they are aggressive and you have better love them or they could be your nightmare. They are great filters. FA algae doesn't enter their domain around the shore. Different kinds of life are born and sheltered in cattails. Redwing Blackbirds romance, shelter at night and eat the seeds of the cattails. Tadpoles are incubated, hide and become frogs in the safety of the cattails. And if you are a salad eater the inner white lower section of the leaf reed is great tasting and nutritious. The Blue-Wing Warbler that I took and posted a picture of is rare in our area and I had never seen one before, is fluttering around in the cattails for two days in a row now.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 45
|
OP
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 45 |
We used to have ducks that stayed in them. But I'm really looking for cover for fish. There hasn't been as many frogs around though.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 222
|
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 222 |
I agree every pond that has cattails usually has better bass. I they get out of control i used round up and lightly spray some of them alittle at a time and try not to spray the roundup in the water just spray the tops it works good and don't kill fish
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 45
|
OP
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 45 |
My plan was to plant cat tails where the originally were. And the Lilly's in a neck.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,722 Likes: 282
Lunker
|
Lunker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,722 Likes: 282 |
If giant burreed grows in your neck of the woods, you may want to consider it rather than cattails.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,539 Likes: 845
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
|
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,539 Likes: 845 |
I'd prefer to see American Pondweed in the pond vs. cattails. Too much of a PITA to control the cattails, and they get thick enough so fish have a VERY hard time navigating thru them, especially any fish over about 3" long.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
|
Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1 |
I'd prefer to see American Pondweed in the pond vs. cattails. Too much of a PITA to control the cattails, and they get thick enough so fish have a VERY hard time navigating thru them, especially any fish over about 3" long. The only two upsides to cattails IMHO is they are a nutrient sink and they can be a barrier to wadiing GBH's. Otherwise they go nuts in my big pond and try to take it over. I can't seem to have just a few so I nuke them all!
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
|
|
|
Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57
|
|