6 Best 8Hp Outboard Motors For Fishing Small Lakes That Handle Weedy Waters

You’re gliding into a quiet cove, the morning mist still clinging to the water, when you hit it—a thick mat of lily pads and coontail. Your small outboard sputters, the prop tangled in green gunk, and the perfect fishing spot suddenly feels a mile away. Choosing the right motor for weedy, shallow lakes isn’t just about horsepower; it’s about having the torque and design to push through the salad without constant frustration.

Disclosure: This site earns commissions from listed merchants at no cost to you. Thank you!

Choosing an 8hp Motor for Weedy Lake Fishing

Fishing in weedy lakes presents a unique challenge. You don’t need blistering speed, but you absolutely need low-end power to churn through vegetation that would choke a standard motor. An 8hp outboard hits the sweet spot for many small fishing boats like jon boats, inflatables, and 12- to 14-foot aluminum V-hulls. It provides enough muscle to move a decent load without being too heavy to manage.

The key is looking beyond the horsepower number. For weedy water, you need to consider features like the propeller design, the gear ratio, and the cooling water intake’s position. A "high thrust" model, for example, uses a different gear ratio and a larger prop with big, low-pitched blades to generate more torque. This is the difference between slicing through weeds and getting hopelessly tangled.

You also have to consider the practicalities. How easily can you tilt the motor to clear a fouled prop? How much does it weigh when you have to haul it from your truck to a remote launch? These real-world factors are just as important as what’s under the cowling.

Mercury 8hp FourStroke: A Reliable All-Arounder

When you just need a motor that starts every time and gets the job done, the Mercury 8hp is a classic workhorse. It’s a common sight at boat launches for a reason: it’s built on a foundation of reliability and backed by a massive dealer network. This is the motor for the angler who values proven performance over niche features.

Its multi-function tiller handle is a standout feature, integrating the shifter, throttle, and steering into one-handed operation. This is incredibly useful when you’re trying to manage a rod with your other hand. While not a specialized high-thrust model, its power and standard prop design are more than capable of handling moderate weed growth, making it a fantastic all-around choice for varied lake conditions.

The trade-off is that it’s a jack-of-all-trades. In the absolute thickest weed beds, a dedicated high-thrust model will outperform it. But for the typical small lake with weedy coves and open patches, the Mercury 8hp provides a fantastic balance of power, usability, and dependability.

Yamaha F8 Portable: Quiet Power for Stalking Fish

Imagine sneaking up on a school of bass in a shallow, glass-calm bay. The last thing you want is a loud, sputtering motor to announce your arrival. This is where the Yamaha F8 shines. Yamaha has built its reputation on smooth, exceptionally quiet motors, and the F8 is no exception.

A key feature for weedy and shallow water is its shallow water drive system. This allows you to partially tilt the motor, protecting the prop from underwater obstacles and thick weed clumps without having to lift it completely out of the water. Combined with reliable CDI Microcomputer ignition for easy starts, it’s a package built for serious anglers who value stealth and convenience.

This level of engineering and refinement often comes with a higher price tag. But for those who see their motor as a long-term investment in their fishing success, the Yamaha’s quiet confidence and rock-solid reliability are worth every penny.

Tohatsu MFS8: Lightweight and Fuel Efficient

If you frequently fish from a cartopper boat or have to carry your motor any distance, every pound matters. The Tohatsu MFS8 is often one of the lightest outboards in the 8hp class. That weight savings can be the difference between a pleasant start to your day and a strained back before you even hit the water.

Tohatsu motors are known for their simple, robust engineering and excellent fuel efficiency. Less fuel burned means you can carry less fuel with you, further reducing your overall weight. They are built to be dependable and easy to maintain, appealing to the practical angler who wants more time fishing and less time tinkering.

Like some other all-arounders, its standard configuration is built for general use, not specifically for weed-busting. However, its light weight makes it easy to tilt and clear, and its reliability ensures it will start right back up. For the angler prioritizing portability and efficiency, the Tohatsu is a top contender.

Suzuki DF8A: Compact Design for Small Transoms

Got a small inflatable, a square-stern canoe, or a jon boat with a narrow transom? The Suzuki DF8A‘s compact design and light weight can be a game-changer. Suzuki engineered this motor with an offset crankshaft, a design that reduces vibration and allows for a smaller overall footprint without sacrificing power.

This motor is packed with user-friendly features, including the now-standard multi-function tiller handle for easy one-handed control. It’s known for running smoothly and quietly, putting it in the same league as its top competitors for operator comfort. It’s a testament to modern engineering that so much performance can fit into such a tidy package.

The Suzuki DF8A is an excellent choice for anyone with space or weight constraints on their boat. It delivers the full 8hp experience in a package that is easy to handle, mount, and operate, proving that you don’t need a bulky motor to get solid, reliable power.

Honda BF8: Smooth, Dependable Four-Stroke Power

Honda’s reputation for engine building is legendary, and their outboards are no different. The Honda BF8 is for the boater who wants the absolute smoothest, most dependable power source and is willing to handle a bit more weight to get it. Think of it as the engine you can count on for years of service.

Honda often incorporates technology from their larger, more complex engines. The BF8 features a pendulum-motion mounting system that absorbs vibration, resulting in an incredibly smooth and quiet ride. For weedy waters, look for the "Power Thrust" version, which uses a different propeller and gear ratio to deliver superior torque for pushing through vegetation.

That robust build quality and advanced technology can make the Honda one of the heavier motors in this category. It’s less of a "portable" and more of a "transportable" outboard. But if your motor lives on the transom all season and your top priority is long-term, trouble-free performance, the Honda BF8 is a benchmark for reliability.

Yamaha T8 High Thrust: Torque for Weedy Waters

When your fishing spots are consistently choked with milfoil, hydrilla, and lily pads, you need a specialist. The Yamaha T8 is that specialist. It’s not designed for top speed; it is purpose-built to deliver maximum pushing power, or "thrust," at low speeds.

The magic is in its design. The T8 uses a lower gear ratio and a patented Dual Thrust™ propeller. This large-diameter, low-pitch prop grabs more water and directs the exhaust away, preventing ventilation around the blades. The result is raw torque that can muscle a boat through the thickest vegetation, push a heavy load against the wind, and provide incredible control in reverse.

This is not the motor for everyone. It’s heavier than the standard F8 and will have a lower top speed. But if your primary challenge is weedy water, the T8 is the right tool for the job. It’s the choice for the serious angler who refuses to let vegetation dictate where they can and cannot fish.

Final Checks: Shaft Length, Tiller, and Weight

Picking a great brand is only half the battle. To get the right motor, you have to match it perfectly to your boat. The most critical measurement is the shaft length. Measure the height of your boat’s transom from the top where the motor mounts to the bottom of the hull. A 15-inch transom needs a "short shaft" motor, while a 20-inch transom requires a "long shaft." Using the wrong length will cripple performance and can even be unsafe.

Next, consider the tiller handle. This is your primary connection to the motor, so ergonomics matter. Look for a tiller that puts the shift lever in an easy-to-reach spot on the handle itself, not on the side of the motor cowling. A throttle with an adjustable friction setting is also a huge plus, allowing you to set a speed for trolling without constantly holding the grip.

Finally, be honest about weight. An 85-pound motor might not sound like much, but it feels heavy after a long day on the water, especially when lifting it at an awkward angle. Always check your boat’s capacity plate for the maximum horsepower and engine weight it can safely handle. Exceeding these limits is dangerous and can void your boat’s warranty or insurance.

In the end, there’s no single "best" 8hp motor, but there is a best one for you. Whether you prioritize the weed-shredding torque of the Yamaha T8 or the lightweight portability of the Tohatsu, the right choice is the one that removes barriers and gets you on the water more often. Don’t get lost in the specs; pick the motor that fits your boat and your fishing style, and go enjoy that misty morning cove.