Skimmer socks are the best trick for pollen.

Use a skimmer sock or a fine mesh net. That’s it.

Pollen is light and floats on the surface. A regular skimmer basket lets it slip through or settle. A cheap skimmer sock (looks like pantyhose for your skimmer) catches the fine particles before they sink and turn into algae food. Rinse or replace it every day during peak season.

Shocking the pool helps break down pollen that already got in, but it’s reactive, not proactive. A clarifier can clump the rest so the filter catches it, but that’s Plan B. Start with the sock – it costs almost nothing and works noticeably better than anything else.

Your filter will still work, but it’ll appreciate the backup.