Take a step onto Benny Blanco’s skiff, and you’ll see a simple boat, no fancy electronic screens, a basic tacometer, and his Mercury outboard. Benny is a true waterman in this sense, not relying on fancy technology, but rather pure intuition gained from spending decades on the water. He navigates the endless channels, bays, and flats of South Florida like it’s the back of his hand, knowing exactly where to be on what tide, to catch a particular fish. Not only is he one of the best at his craft, but he’s also a pivotal voice for conservation. He’s a vocal part of Captains for Clean Water, an organization dedicated to fighting for a healthy Everglades, clean water, and thriving fisheries. Blanco does all this with the support of Mercury, both on and off the water. After spending a day on the water with Benny, it’s clear to see why.
Fishing South Florida
South Florida has an abundance of fishing opportunities, from exotics to offshore fishing; the possibilities are endless. One of the most attractive aspects of Florida fishing is its endless flats fishing. Tarpon, bonefish, permit, redfish, and snook all call these flats home, and all are exceptional targets for fly anglers. Benny Blanco’s passion lies here, guiding and chasing flats fish all year long.
A typical day on his home water, Biscayne Bay, starts as he pushes his skiff away from the dock. He puts through the channel, before heading to the flats in search of the bay’s three main target species: tarpon, bonefish, and permit. Flats fish are particular, moving around depending on tides, wind, and water temperatures. In Biscayne, for instance, wind direction can push water across the bay, stacking it on flats and delaying tides. When this happens, Benny draws from his time on the flats to know what flats will hold fish and at what stage in the tide cycle.
On the flats, Benny poles his skiff with an angler on the bow searching for the target species. This style of fishing feels more like hunting than anything else. Silently sliding across a flat, scanning likely areas for any sign of movement. When everything lines up just right, the fish show themselves and present the angler with an opportunity. After all is said and done, the process repeats itself, moving flats, following the tides, and finding fish. It’s an exercise in persistence, and a testament to Benny’s knowledge of South Florida. Day in and day out, Benny Blanco knows when and where to be regardless of the conditions he faces.
Why Mercury?
South Florida’s vast and demanding fisheries require a versatile skiff. For that, he relies on a Hells Bay Marathon, paired with a Mercury Pro XS 115 and equipped with Command Thrust. “The Marathon is the perfect boat for Biscayne Bay and South Florida,” says Blanco. “It’s an 18-foot hull that stays on top of the waves crossing big water on windy days, while still plenty capable of running shallow.” A good hull is one part of the equation; the motor is the other.
Benny Blanco chooses Mercury to power his skiffs, the biggest reason being reliability. “I need my engine to start day in and day out. As a guide, I make my living on the water and can’t be sacrificing days due to engine issues. My Mercury has never failed me.” As anglers, having gear you can rely on is crucial. In the flats fishing world, your motor is one piece of gear that can’t fail.
While reliability is the main reason Benny chooses Mercury, performance is also incredibly important. The Pro XS series of motors is tuned for power in a lightweight package. The 115 Pro XS weighs just 10-20 pounds more than other competitors 90hp motors. This allows Benny to gain the significant benefits of a 115, like better hole shot and top speed, without adding extra weight. “The power-to-weight ratio of the Mercury 115 Pro XS is a huge leg up in my style of fishing,” says Benny. “I can get up on a plane quicker and get to spots faster than I would with a 90, without sacrificing how my skiff sits and poles on the flats.”
The Pro XS series can also be paired with Mercury’s Command Thrust gearcase, which Blanco opted to do on his motor. Command Thrust features a larger gearcase that accommodates a bigger-diameter propeller, improving planing performance and delivering stronger low-end control for slow-speed maneuvering. This equates to more power, better hole shot, faster acceleration, and more control. For Benny, the ability to run a bigger prop and gain a better hole shot is a huge reason he chooses the Comman Thrust gearcase. As a guide, the amount of weight from clients and gear is constantly changing. The extra torque from the oversized prop ensures he gets on plane as fast as possible, regardless of weight. In addition, the added control is crucial for navigating tight channels, especially when wind is a factor.
The combination of the Pro XS performance and Command Thrust excels on the flats and high-stakes situations like tournaments. “Come tournament day, I need my motor to start every time and get me to the spots first, that’s why I choose the Mercury 115 Pro XS paired with the Command Thrust lower unit.”
The Future of the Flats
Benny Blanco relies on his Mercury outboard to get him to the flats first, without failure. But what good is getting their first, if there’s no fish on the flats? South Florida and Blanco’s home waters are facing a number of conservation issues, resulting in declining fisheries. Benny’s seen this decline in his time fishing the flats. Some areas are now void of fish altogether, while others have seen steep declines in the numbers and size of fish. For Benny, who has built his life around the water, protecting the flats and fisheries for future generations is the only option.
The tipping point for South Florida flats conservation came in 2016, when record-breaking red tide events caused massive fish die-offs on the west coast. Knowing something needed to change, Captain Daniel Andrews and Captain Chris Wittman formed Captains for Clean Water, a grassroots organization that fights for clean water and to restore the natural flow of the Everglades. Benny Blanco is an ambassador for Captains for Clean Water, pushing for policy change and water protection in South Florida. Every year, Mercury donates a motor to outfit the Captain’s Finest Skiff Giveaway, raising money to support the organization. Prioritizing what matters and protecting the Everglades and its fisheries is non-negotiable for Benny and a big part of why he chooses Mercury Marine. With the help of Mercury and like-minded captains and anglers, Blanco and Captains for Clean Water are making the needed change to preserve the flats and the fish we obsess over for generations to come.
