Carl Guffey
Well-known member
I have been hearing alot about grass ( E. milfoil, et al.)
As stated in other posts I have been the Conservation Director for the Tennesse Bass Federation during the last 3-4 years. Because of this I have had the oppurtunity to travel around the country sitting in on seminars concerning, bass population dynamics, aquatic vegetation, and alien intrusions, ie. Zebra mussel, big head carp, snake heads, and giant salvinia.
Here is what I know about aquatic vegetation. With the clumping green matter ie, milfoil and hydrilla as it first enters a aquatic system, bass begin to thrive. The new plants provide limited cover for ambush, protects bass fry, attracks prey species to the new forage. Water quality generally improves with increased oxygen and decreased siltration. All of the good numbers increase as the colonies increase in size through out the reservoir, generally to a size of approximately forty percent coverage. As plant coverage starts to increase beyond that range bass species start a downward spiral. Coverage becomes so thick that hunting prey for bass becomes difficult. Prey species have no room to school and provide large numbers to be consumed easily. Water temps may soar in summer heat. Surface water temps on guntersville over large mats can reach 125 degrees. As water temp increases ability to hold oxygen decreases. Even though milfoil is producing large amounts of oxygen the water just can't hold it.
Also as the grass decomposes in the fall, oxygen is removed from the water in the decomposition process literally producing dead zones. The greater the coverage the worse it is.
The worst part is there are no natural predators to inhibit growth. There are only two methods of control, limited spraying and/or manual harvest, both of which are expensive.
As stated in other posts I have been the Conservation Director for the Tennesse Bass Federation during the last 3-4 years. Because of this I have had the oppurtunity to travel around the country sitting in on seminars concerning, bass population dynamics, aquatic vegetation, and alien intrusions, ie. Zebra mussel, big head carp, snake heads, and giant salvinia.
Here is what I know about aquatic vegetation. With the clumping green matter ie, milfoil and hydrilla as it first enters a aquatic system, bass begin to thrive. The new plants provide limited cover for ambush, protects bass fry, attracks prey species to the new forage. Water quality generally improves with increased oxygen and decreased siltration. All of the good numbers increase as the colonies increase in size through out the reservoir, generally to a size of approximately forty percent coverage. As plant coverage starts to increase beyond that range bass species start a downward spiral. Coverage becomes so thick that hunting prey for bass becomes difficult. Prey species have no room to school and provide large numbers to be consumed easily. Water temps may soar in summer heat. Surface water temps on guntersville over large mats can reach 125 degrees. As water temp increases ability to hold oxygen decreases. Even though milfoil is producing large amounts of oxygen the water just can't hold it.
Also as the grass decomposes in the fall, oxygen is removed from the water in the decomposition process literally producing dead zones. The greater the coverage the worse it is.
The worst part is there are no natural predators to inhibit growth. There are only two methods of control, limited spraying and/or manual harvest, both of which are expensive.