I think there are 2 ways to have a boat (outboard motor) with little risk of that damage in our area.
1. A tunnel hull with a jackplate, you can raise the motor up away from the danger zone.
2. A tiller steer with no T&T, on a manual jackplate raised up as high as you can. Keep an aluminum prop and a Porter rock guard on there. My thinking is it will "pop-up" and not do any great damage. The aluminum prop may take a hit, but keep a spare with you.
I am gonna rig up a #2 and try it out. I've had the tunnel, and may go back to one eventually. The Flint river is rocky too, and I like to fish there also.
Mah .02 worth!
Sorry to see the damage to your motor whitebc.