I keep having to take out mangled fish from the cleanout ports

[redcod59]

Hi all, it looks like catfish find the jet pumps of my Yamaha to be safe havens to hang out and deposit eggs. Little do they know that their safe room becomes a chamber of horrors when I turn on the engine. Sometimes I can see fish chunks come out of the back, sometimes the only symptom is that the cooling water does not start flowing. Then I have to take out the mangled chunks. Kids are grossed out and so am I. And the cleanout ports are not easy to open and close.

The boat is docked on the Potomac in about 8 foot of water, near the shore.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to discourage catfish or maybe also other fish from liking the area?

Thank you

 

[Babin Farms]

Can you put the boat in reverse to close the buckets down and prevent them from entering the jet nozzle? Not sure if it’s possible with your year boat or not.

 

[redcod59]

The fish enter from the intake I believe. They are in the space around the shaft, forward of the prop.