I have looked at those in the Melton catalog for years. I am sure it would help- way more realistic than a flasher. The only reason I never pulled the trigger is price. Even the small one is expensive. I doubt grass would be much of a problem, no more so than the ball itself anyways. The attraction comes from the mylar and obvioulsy weeds aren't going to interfere with that. I would think, if anything, it would actually catch more stuff that would end up fouling you bait. I thought it would be fun to rig your own out of a bunch of B2 squids for a hootchie also.
Post up with the results- I am interested.