coolpond, our winter weather in NE TX has been warm enough that the coontail has already started growing, so I'll start spraying it this next week with a Reward/Cutrine mix. One thing I've noticed about coontail in my pond, is that it almost acts as a filter and I'm guessing it's suspended solids and/or algae that cover it as the season goes on, and the water temp rises. The Cutrine addition at the recommended rate was the game changer for us. Right now, the emergent coontail doesn't have the silt/algae covering it, so I'll play with the mix, and see if the Cutrine volume can be reduced. I know time is money, but money is money too. If I can get an early jump on the coontail and save a few gallons of Cutrine, then that would be my choice, but not at the expense of time or money.
Esshup was a big help with localized treatments, and I went with Navigate granular around the feeders as per his suggestion.
We also added 50 GC in the pond(11 acres) two years ago, and although they actively eat all summer, the numbers we currently have can't control the coontail, so I'll probably add 10 more this year, and continue to add them every other year until they can help get the coontail under control. They do muddy the water when foraging, so I personally would rather have 10 to few, then 10 too many.
If you do decide to go with Hydrothol, please keep us in the loop. I for one would like to know how quickly it acts, and if it corrects the infestation long term.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
