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Angler's Aquatic Plant ID
Want to be a better fisherman? Learn smart, season-based strategies for fishing the “weeds.”
Across the country, they go by different names. Valley anglers often refer to them collectively as “weeds,” “grass,” or “moss.” Whatever you call them, aquatic plants are an integral part of the Tennessee River’s ecosystem, whether providing nutrients for the species at the bottom of the food chain, or cover and ambush areas for largemouth bass.
While many aquatic plants look the same, understanding the differences can make you a better bass fisherman. Whether you prefer to punch a jig, burn a lipless crankbait or fish a frog, this guide to aquatic plants in the Tennessee Valley can help you be the best angler you can be.
Developed by fishermen for fishermen, this guide gives you all the information you need to understand when these plants are most productive, where they grow and—most importantly—how to fish them. Whether you are a seasoned tournament angler, weekend warrior or new to fishing altogether, we invite you to learn more about aquatic plants and improve your catch.
Floating and Floating Leaf Plants
Frog's Bit
Mature frog's bit (Limnobium spongia) plants provide perfect cover for bass to ambush their prey. Flip a bait close to the stems of frog’s bit and hold on.
Seasonal Techniques
Spring—Frog’s bit will likely go unnoticed in spring as the perennial grows back from overwintering buds, floating to the water surface to sprout new growth. Frog’s bit won’t be easily found until summer, so targeting this species should be avoided until summer.
Summer—Like most other aquatic plants, frog’s bit will rapidly grow during summer and become much more noticeable both floating and rooted to nearshore areas. Mature plants provide perfect cover for bass to ambush their prey. Flip a bait close to the stems of frog’s bit and hold on. Mature plants will also send off runners, so fishing a bait on the bottom around mature plants can also yield bites as bass congregate around these structures.
Fall—Frog’s bit will begin to decay as the water cools, making for the perfect opportunity to fish areas that were previously too grown up to fish. Work a weedless topwater like a frog across and through decaying plants.
Winter—Frog’s bit will be completely gone by winter throughout most of the valley, so targeting this species should be avoided until the following growing season.
Habitat Value
Fish—Submersed portions (root mass) provides habitat for invertebrates that are subsequently eaten by fish. Frog’s bit can also provide ambush cover for bass when floating.
Waterfowl—Submersed portions (root mass) provides habitat for invertebrates that are subsequently eaten by waterfowl. Seeds are also readily consumed by waterfowl.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Frog’s bit is a small, often free floating plant with small kidney- or heart-shaped leaves. Leaves will have elongated stems which occur in clumps, giving frog’s bit a “bouquet” look.
Where to Find It—Can be found floating or rooted closely to the shoreline.
Similar Species—Frog’s bit may resemble water hyacinth; however frog’s bit lacks the bulbous stem of water hyacinth. Water hyacinth roots are usually purple tinged whereas frog’s bit roots are white. Frog’s bit can also resemble fragrant water lily; however fragrant water lily has a distinct “v” notch in the leaf.
Drawbacks
Although native, frog’s bit can become a nuisance given the right growing conditions, and thus sometimes requires management. Cost to manage: $$$ out of $$$$$.
Shoreline Plants
Frog's Bit
Mature frog's bit (Limnobium spongia) plants provide perfect cover for bass to ambush their prey. Flip a bait close to the stems of frog’s bit and hold on.
Seasonal Techniques
Spring—Frog’s bit will likely go unnoticed in spring as the perennial grows back from overwintering buds, floating to the water surface to sprout new growth. Frog’s bit won’t be easily found until summer, so targeting this species should be avoided until summer.
Summer—Like most other aquatic plants, frog’s bit will rapidly grow during summer and become much more noticeable both floating and rooted to nearshore areas. Mature plants provide perfect cover for bass to ambush their prey. Flip a bait close to the stems of frog’s bit and hold on. Mature plants will also send off runners, so fishing a bait on the bottom around mature plants can also yield bites as bass congregate around these structures.
Fall—Frog’s bit will begin to decay as the water cools, making for the perfect opportunity to fish areas that were previously too grown up to fish. Work a weedless topwater like a frog across and through decaying plants.
Winter—Frog’s bit will be completely gone by winter throughout most of the valley, so targeting this species should be avoided until the following growing season.
Habitat Value
Fish—Submersed portions (root mass) provides habitat for invertebrates that are subsequently eaten by fish. Frog’s bit can also provide ambush cover for bass when floating.
Waterfowl—Submersed portions (root mass) provides habitat for invertebrates that are subsequently eaten by waterfowl. Seeds are also readily consumed by waterfowl.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Frog’s bit is a small, often free floating plant with small kidney- or heart-shaped leaves. Leaves will have elongated stems which occur in clumps, giving frog’s bit a “bouquet” look.
Where to Find It—Can be found floating or rooted closely to the shoreline.
Similar Species—Frog’s bit may resemble water hyacinth; however frog’s bit lacks the bulbous stem of water hyacinth. Water hyacinth roots are usually purple tinged whereas frog’s bit roots are white. Frog’s bit can also resemble fragrant water lily; however fragrant water lily has a distinct “v” notch in the leaf.
Drawbacks
Although native, frog’s bit can become a nuisance given the right growing conditions, and thus sometimes requires management. Cost to manage: $$$ out of $$$$$.
Submersed Plants
Frog's Bit
Mature frog's bit (Limnobium spongia) plants provide perfect cover for bass to ambush their prey. Flip a bait close to the stems of frog’s bit and hold on.
Seasonal Techniques
Spring—Frog’s bit will likely go unnoticed in spring as the perennial grows back from overwintering buds, floating to the water surface to sprout new growth. Frog’s bit won’t be easily found until summer, so targeting this species should be avoided until summer.
Summer—Like most other aquatic plants, frog’s bit will rapidly grow during summer and become much more noticeable both floating and rooted to nearshore areas. Mature plants provide perfect cover for bass to ambush their prey. Flip a bait close to the stems of frog’s bit and hold on. Mature plants will also send off runners, so fishing a bait on the bottom around mature plants can also yield bites as bass congregate around these structures.
Fall—Frog’s bit will begin to decay as the water cools, making for the perfect opportunity to fish areas that were previously too grown up to fish. Work a weedless topwater like a frog across and through decaying plants.
Winter—Frog’s bit will be completely gone by winter throughout most of the valley, so targeting this species should be avoided until the following growing season.
Habitat Value
Fish—Submersed portions (root mass) provides habitat for invertebrates that are subsequently eaten by fish. Frog’s bit can also provide ambush cover for bass when floating.
Waterfowl—Submersed portions (root mass) provides habitat for invertebrates that are subsequently eaten by waterfowl. Seeds are also readily consumed by waterfowl.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Frog’s bit is a small, often free floating plant with small kidney- or heart-shaped leaves. Leaves will have elongated stems which occur in clumps, giving frog’s bit a “bouquet” look.
Where to Find It—Can be found floating or rooted closely to the shoreline.
Similar Species—Frog’s bit may resemble water hyacinth; however frog’s bit lacks the bulbous stem of water hyacinth. Water hyacinth roots are usually purple tinged whereas frog’s bit roots are white. Frog’s bit can also resemble fragrant water lily; however fragrant water lily has a distinct “v” notch in the leaf.
Drawbacks
Although native, frog’s bit can become a nuisance given the right growing conditions, and thus sometimes requires management. Cost to manage: $$$ out of $$$$$.