Hi always outside,
From my experience, my lily constantly puts out new pads & older ones turn yellow & I remove them. Same with blooms, after a bloom fades I give it a few days & then remove it.
If your lily is putting out new pads, then I would say it is normal, unless you are seeing some bug, worm, etc...I don't know about pad pulling device, I just reach out & grab them, my pond is not very big. Hope this helps. Dianne
PS-I am in Grand Prairie.

One of the first suggestions I would throw out there would be to fertilize. I prefer tabs, about every 3-4 weeks, and they should take off. Side note, over fertilizing can have somewhat similar effect. We go by one tab per gallon of container, check directions. One other common ailment is over treating the pond or too much salt. If you are using a lot of treatment cut back and see if they green up. Also if your salt level is over 1% you are killing plants. Those would be the first suggestion/questions I would have.
As far as tools, you can check out a local specialty shop, I just have hip waders and pull them out by hand.

I think its totally normal.
You could use one of those reacher tools that they sell in drug stores. Unless the stem is a bit mushy, it might be hard to tear off though. I just leave mine. But I was never one to pull out my grey hairs as they appeared either! :)

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and comments.