I don't know what to do, I spoke with the GA DNR Hatchery today and the guy gave me a lot of good info but said I didn't need to have any aquatic plants, that the wood and concrete would provide enough cover and that I just needed grass on the banks.
If you have enough in the pond, that is the correct answer. You do not "need" plants in the pond. Notice I didn't say "want".
If wanting plants for cover habitat for the fish you can duplicate that with artificial cover. The pros for that is that it stays in that same place 24/7/365 and it doesn't spread. The con is that it isn't natural.
Plants grow and die. They spread to areas that you might not want them to spread to. If you want plants in a specific area, and don't mind controlling them when they stray, then plants are great.
