Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants Pond Smartweed & Shoreline Cleanup

This past weekend I had a local guy clean up some of our smartweed/shoreline issue. The last 2 years it got so bad we could not fish from shore any longer. For now we left around 50% of it alone because we know the fish, small and large, probably love it, as do the micro-organisms. This guy created a neat attachment for his mini-backhoe that enables him to extend his reach farther out into the water. If it returns we think it will be easier to control early on. We plan on throwing some grass seed along the shore, but expect the pond to rise after our current drought.

Pond shoreline cleanup machine

Wow…Much better!

That looks great. I like the idea of leaving some of it behind too. It's that balance.

Especially for a bass pond, leave some weeds for small fish to hide and grow; but not too many weeds that bass can't find an easy meal.

"Necessity is the mother of invention."

Wow Zep, your contractor is a genius.

One thing you might try the next time: Cut a few paths only one or two rake widths wide in the 50% saved smartweed areas. Especially if there is some good cover in the pond just beyond the edge of the smartweed in deeper water.

That way fisherman from shore can cast to that cover, AND sometimes in the spring your biggest bass may actually be lurking in the shallow smartweed and be enticed to strike a bait in the cleared path.

During summer, some smaller bass may be in the smartweed. Once kids are accurate with their casts, they might be able to throw light tackle into the paths and have a great time catching 8-10" bass or big BG on every other cast until they fish out that lane and have to move on to the next one.

I am hoping you and your family have a GREAT year at your pond in 2026!

Good idea FishinRod!

Bass love the ambush, so you're right, cutting a few "ambush alleys" could be quite productive.

Strong work Mark. Unfortunately the Smartweed will spread, so just a few light-work options.

First, if you still have the DFD hire for help, then him walking around the clean bank with a backpack shouldn't be to bad. He could spot spray with Gylphate/surfactant combo on what will more likely pop up again. The bank looks very nice, and it's still wet. Pott's Feed Store in Emory has rye grass that pops up in 4-5 days if damp. It's around $35 for 50 pounds. There are feed stores around you, so you may get it closer too. It looks nice, and it will help hold the bank until the turf takes over.

Also, an easy way to clear areas is Navigate. It's not cheap, but spreading granular 2,4-D works well once it settles down. I've helped some lake dock owners that were infested with American Lotus. Navigate slowly killed them from the tubers, and the docks have stayed clean.

Spreading down wind and safety dress is needed, and this is what I use. SOLO Chest Spreader. Also, most 3M masks and cheap plastic goggles work well if they fit the face. Cheap throw away nitrile gloves help too.

I hope this helps.

That SOLO Chest Spreader also works well to spread seeds. The Rye Grass Seed could be spread with it. I use one to spread seeds in small food plots for deer and have used one to spread a mix of sand and Switchgrass seed in 12' wide strips for a visual barrier.

Great idea Al!

Great advice Al....we will follow. Yes the DFD guy still is a great help to us. We love Potts....less than 20 miles from our front gate. Thanks to you and esshup.