Can Anyone Give Me A Quick Rundown On Outboard Jets?

[Jason R.]

Wow, looks like I started a whole thing here- not my intention. I would really only use my boat on the Little Red, the White and the Norfork except for certain occasions. I would really like to upgrade just because I can't do everything I want to do with my boat- mostly because of the hull. This boat happens to have a jet which would be really nice on the red on low water. I have just been dragging through the shallow stuff but it would be nice to motor all the way to the top shoal and fix all the way back down. Not being able to idle slowly in a jet does seem like a downside and the noise might get on my nerves. My suzuki dt9.9 is surprisingly quiet- you can have a conversation easily while motoring through pools. Of course, after motoring through the pools I have to either use the trolling motor or get out and drag the boat through about half the river. I really appreciate the input fellas- it is good to know the pros and the cons.

[fishinwrench]

Here is a thread containing the thoughts of some respected White/Norfork pro's.

http://flyfishingarkansasandmissouri.yuku.com/topic/9118/Jets-vs-Props

[LittleRedFisherman]

For me Jason, it's a lot about peace of mind! I love my jet, and I got it as much for here at home ( on slower meandering delta rivers) as much as the Ozark ones. Even in Little Red in some of the deeper secions like Lobo, if the water runs slow or meanders along like here on the St. Francis and Black rivers, an obstruction 6 inches below the surface doesn't make that traditional swirl like you see on Current and EP, you can hit those and not even know there there, which I've done several times with my old prop boat, really for me it's about safety. I scanned through the threads Wrench posted above and a copule eluded to boat control. After a bit of a quick learning curve for me, I have no problems steering my boat, or loading it on a trailer. For me, I wouldn't ever go back. Like I said earlier, 2 unit water on the Little Red at Lobo can sometimes play with a jet with all the trash, but that's worth the hassle for me. It sounds like, you are like me, your boat will be for only fishing, I think you'd love a jet on the Little Red!