97 Johnson 175 Fast Strike RPM loss

I have a 97 Johnson 175 Fast strike model # J175GLEU. Every time when i initially take it out and run it at WOT it works great has good acceleration and peaks at 58-62 mph and 5500-5600 RPM. I stop and troll around for a while, it doesn't matter if it is 5 min or 2 hours. When i restart my motor up and give it gas it kind of sputters like it is flooded at first but if i relax on the throttle and then give it more gas again it gets going. It then struggles to plane out and the throttle is sluggish and unresponsive. Eventually at WOT it will hit only 38-42 mph and 4500-4600 RPM. It always runs at 5500RPM initially and then 4500-4600 RPM never anything inbetween. The next time i take it out it will run great at first but then ****ty when i restart it. Anyone have any ideas about what could be happening??

Re: 97 Johnson 175 Fast Strike RPM loss

the only thing i can think of is that when running slow, and the engine is hotter, you are dropping a coil that is failing when warm. check spark on all of them next time it does it.

Re: 97 Johnson 175 Fast Strike RPM loss

When i say trolling i mean with an electric trolling motor. my main engine is shut off.

I'll still check for spark and see what i find