raise the motor

My Ranger Cherokee 207 has a max HP of 120 but is commonly run on engines from 90 to 120. I rarely run full throttle and am willing to sacrifice hole speed and top speed for a quieter, lower RPM trolling speed. Yes the switch to 4 stroke is for fuel economy and idle trolling. My 115 does not seem to operate well at minimum RPM. I have a 25 Mariner 4 S on my trout boat and it will idle well at low RPM for drifting.

I was looking for a used motor. I hope to find a low use engine that someone is upgrading for more HP.

Yes I will sell the Johnson 115 when replaced. It is model J115PLEEM.

Looking to replace my Johnson 115 HP 2 stroke with a 4 stroke from 90 to 120 HP. Would prefer one with controls or one that would match my existing Johnson controls.

Thanks for all the advice. I learned a lot in researching the rods mentioned. Gotta get some of those rods later when I retire and fish full time. Now I know why a serious bass fishermen has a half dozen rods on deck. Called Jim at Sportsman's and he recommended I start with a close-out Lews Team TL76MHFC. He said it would be a good compromise like some of the rods recommended here. He is closing out his $199 line of Lews Team for $100. Rod is on its way. Jim is indeed a great guy. He would have liked to match me up in person but felt the Lew's would get me started. I'll go see Jim when I retire and move down. OAF has lots of great and helpful fishermen. Thank you all! Joe

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will be looking at all the rods suggested. Joe

I need a general purpose rod to match a new Shimano Curado 51E reel. I will be using jigs, crankbaits and tubes from 3/8 to 3/4 oz using 12lb flurocarbon line (mainly casting). For those familiar with the reel, what rod would you suggest in the $100 to $150 range (new or used). Suggested rod type, length, weight and speed would be appreciated. Joe

Nice fish Ham. Were most of the fish good sized? How much water was flowing? Joe

Wow, 9 for 34. Shows the type of fishery that Tanneycomo is. The lagest was a Brown Trout on a trout magnet. Surprising? Joe

Welcome John. You will be a good addition to a great group. Joe

I built a funnel shaped cage of sorts using limbs and wire. Brush was wired to the cage and rocks added until is would sink. I used my pontoon to tow the mass to the desired site then added rock from shore. At one location I used a dead sycamore tree (6 inch at stump) to which I tied a cage, then added rock. The problem at Bull Shoals is that all of the larger dead trees are well above the waterline and therefore difficult to manually move to the water. If there were a way to get a large tree to the water it could be sunken. I build the mass on a trailer, then backed it into the water to be towed. Joe

Three years ago I was issued a permit to cut small live cedars (below 6" diameter 12 inches above ground) or dead trees from CORPS land to sink in Bull Shoals. The permit only allowed rock for weight and only aluminum spool wire for binding. No wire mesh or other wire. Only trees, brush, rocks, and wire could be used. The CORPS uses other materials that the permit did not allow. I belivie the permits are issued every two years upon personal appearance at their office on the announced issue date. They were cut and sink permits. Joe

Welcome. Walleye is something I love to catch. I look forward to learning more. We fish Bull Shoals in the Oakland area. It sure is tough to throw those shorts back. Joe

If correctly identified, one fishermen netted some small fish while collecting shad and another fisherman identified a small one in the belly of a fish. I believe both were in the upper lake/river area. I would love to see a stocked population but realize the zebra problem must be handled carefully. The experts will come up with the best response. The resulting toxin problem is another concern for any who eat fish from the lake. Joe

Update on zebras in Gulley Spring area. In December I visited the same shoreline that had a large mussel infestation in November. The water level was down about one foot and all of the mussels on rocks previously in the water, but now exposed, were dead. The nunber of mussels now evident on rocks at the lower shoreline was greatly reduced. Perhaps as few as 20% of the previous number. Hopefully the fluctuating water level will curb population growth somewhat. Mojorig will fluctuating water levels diminish the ultimate density, or only delay the inevitable? The posted pictures of worst case conditions are alarming. I have no interest in fishing for the Drum that eat the zebras but it would be nice to see an expanded yellow perch population in Bull Shoals. Joe