MERCER-The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast

Matt Herren is a 10-time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier, a 5-time FLW Cup qualifier and a former TTBC Champion. But over the last 2 years he has quickly become one of the loudest voices against FFS. However, as this podcast will reveal, Matt has become a conflicted man with a love hate relationship with the newest technology. This week he joins the podcast to discuss his new positive outlook in 2025...

Buckle up humpers because this week is another double dose of goodness. First we kick things off with the reigning and defending Bassmaster Classic Champion Justin Hamner. Then we are joined by 30 year industry veteran Rob Newell. Whether it’s been as a writer, a reporter or a photographer for over 3 decades Newell has had a front row seat to some of the most incredible moments in professional fis...

Kevin VanDam is the most accomplished angler in the history of professional bass fishing. KVD is a 7-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year, a 4-time Bassmaster Classic Champion with a record 25 Bassmaster Wins, 4 MLF wins and a FLW Angler of the Year title. All of that adds up to over 7 million in earnings and countless records. However, competitive angling is in his rearview mirror and now KVD is fo...

It’s the Mercer Podcast Festive Special and it’s a good one! What Pat Summerall and John Madden were to Football, Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona are to Professional Bass Fishing. Both are individually members of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. But together they have a unique chemistry and an engaging connection that not only educates but it entertains. This week T & Z join the podcast and reunite...

Buckle up! This one gets extra SPICY! Byron Velvick is a 3 time Bassmaster winner and a 2 time Classic qualifier. He is a big bait pioneer from the west coast that has won 14 boats and a dang Rolex! He is truly one of the greatest promoters of the sport of fishing. He was once “The Bachelor” on ABC which resulted in him being a guest on every major talk show on TV. The whole time he was promoting...

Stone Cold Kyle Welcher is a three-time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier and the 2023 Bassmaster Angler of the Year. Welcher, a former professional gambler, is one of the brightest young stars in pro fishing. His incredible mind and unique outlook on angling is truly remarkable. This week he joins the podcast to have a very open, honest and sometimes awkward conversation where we learn he would rather...

Jonathan VanDam is a 2 time Bassmaster winner and a 2 time Classic Qualifier. After several years competing on the Bass Pro Tour, JVD wants back to B.A.S.S. In 2025 he will voluntarily step away from MLF and he will roll the dice in the Bassmaster Opens with hopes of once again qualifying for the Elite Series. But first he joins the podcast to talk about his battle to get back to B.A.S.S. and so m...

Brent Ehrler has 9 tour-level wins including the Forest Wood Cup victory equaling an incredible 3.2 million dollars in winnings. This week the west coast legend joins the podcast for the very first time. But don’t worry, Ehrler does not hold back. He dishes the dirt on tournaments, UFOs, Sasquatches and so, so much more. Like, Comment and Click here to enter the AFTCO Reaper Bundle Giveaway! https...

Clark Wendlandt has won an incredible 4 Angler of the Year titles. He has qualified for 6 Bassmaster Classics and 18 FLW Cups. By anyone’s standards Clark has had a Hall of Fame career. Just last week he shocked many by announcing his retirement, making him the first professional angler to step away from competition and openly admit he is leaving because he disagrees with Forward Facing Sonar. Was...

B.A.S.S. rocked the fishing world by announcing no entry fee events on the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series. Some love it, some not so much. This week we are joined by Greg Hackney, Lee Livesay & Davy Hite to dissect the good, the bad and the ugly of this monumental change in the sport.

The “Hack Attack” is back. Greg Hackney is a 6 time Bassmaster winner, an 18 time Classic qualifier and the 2014 Bassmaster Angler of the Year. Hackney has won almost every title there is to win in professional bass fishing. This week he once again joins the podcast for a very candid conversation that goes absolutely everywhere.

One show with 9 Bassmaster Elite Series anglers. That’s right, we pulled it off! We have all nine of the newest Elite Series qualifiers in one show! Buckle up and get ready for the Elite 9 - Easton Fothergill, Cody Meyer, Tucker Smith, Paul Marks, Emil Wagner, Andrew Loberg, Dakota Ebare, Beau Browning and Evan Kung all on one friggin' show!!!

This week we once again have a double dose of goodness. First we kick things off with Logan Parks hot off his Bassmaster Elite Series rookie season & just a week after his groundbreaking NSANE tournament for high school & college anglers. He even brings on the winners; Banks Shaw & Kieran Stephenson. Then we are joined by the man more slick than an Ugly Stik, the one and only Matt Robe...

Byron Velvick is a 3 time Bassmaster winner and a 2 time Classic qualifier. He is a big bait pioneer from the west coast that has won 14 boats and a dang Rolex! He is truly one of the greatest promoters of the sport of fishing. He was once “The Bachelor” on ABC which resulted in him being a guest on every major talk show on TV. The whole time he was promoting the sport he loves….fishing. This week...

First we kick things off with Bassmaster videographer Jake Latendresse with Jake’s Take. Just back from the recent Bassmaster College Classic Bracket on Tims Ford Lake in Tennessee. Then we are joined by the Frog Father - Alfred Williams is a true tournament trailblazer. Not only was he the first black angler to ever qualify for the Bassmaster Classic but he is truly an angling pioneer. Ever wonde...

In honour of Bass Fishing Hall of Fame week we have a double dose of goodness. First we kick things off with Mike McKinnis, the visionary producer that created Bassmaster LIVE & limitless list of award winning outdoor programming. Then we are joined by Skeet Reese, one of the greatest competitors in bass fishing history. Reese has 12 tour level victories including the 2009 Bassmaster Classic &...

If Captain America was a pro angler, his name might just be Davy Hite. Hite left a military career to chase his dream of pro angling and what a dream career it has been. Qualifying for 14 Bassmaster Classics, winning 2 Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles and 9 major tournament victories - including the 1998 Forrest Wood Cup and 1999 Bassmaster Classic. In 2017, after a Hall of Fame career, Davy H...

You ever hear the joke about 3 Canadians walking into a bar? Us either but it sure makes for a great podcast. Cory Johnston doubled down in 2024 with 2 Elite Series victories. Not to be outdone, little bro Chris Johnston just became the first Canadian to EVER win the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year title. It was a huge year for both these hockey-playing brothers from north of the border....

Just weeks before getting officially inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, Mark Zona rocked the fishing world by signing off of BassLive for the final time. The incredible off the wall personality of Z has painted pictures with his words for a generation of Bassmaster fans. Why is he stepping away from a position that is seemingly perfect for him? He answers that and so much more on this we...

For the first time since his final walk across the Bassmaster Elite Series stage, 4 time Bassmaster Classic champion Rick Clunn finally speaks. After Clunn’s legendary 5 decade career, his incredible influence is seen in every single pro fishing today. Clunn is not only a driven competitor but his silent approach and down-to-earth outlook on life has almost turned him into a mystical character in...

Robert Gee racked up an impressive 4 top fives in 2024. On top of that he went second, third and second on his last 3 events. Gee what a start to an Elite Series career! But many recently know him more as part of an on-the-water dispute we are calling World War Gee. But first we have Jake’s Take - the ultimate behind-the-scenes Bassmaster segment with Bassmaster videographer Jake Latendresse. Just...

Wes Logan is a Bassmaster Classic Qualifier and an Elite Series Champion. However, all those accolades seemed a long way off when he was riding in an ambulance after a scary boat wreck during last week’s Elite Series tournament on Lake Champlain. Many folks have talked about it but now you get to hear directly from Wes “What REALLY Happened”. Plus a whole lot more only on this week on Mercer Podca...

Justin Hamner truly lets it ALL out on this week’s show - the good, the bad and some stuff that just makes him SICK. Hamner is the reigning and defending Bassmaster Classic Champion. With just two events left in the 2024 Bassmaster Elites he is the current leader in Progressive Bassmaster Angler Of The Year points. Can Justin Hamner make history and become only the 3rd angler to ever win the Class...

Brett Hite is a 6 time Bassmaster Classic qualifier with 5 national tournament wins and almost 2 million dollars in tournament earnings. B Hite started his career as a west coast finesse angler but today you can’t talk about a bladed jig without mentioning his name. Brett Hite has arguably been more dominant with that technique than any other angler on earth. This week he joins the podcast to talk...

You never know who will show up on this show. This week we kick things off with Pat Roach, AKA Randy from Trailer Park Boys. When Pat is not playing Randy the Assistant Trailer Park Supervisor at Sunnyvale Trailer Park he loves to fish. Pat joins the podcast to talk about his love for angling, the outdoors and life. But that’s not all. Then we are joined by YouTuber, social media super star and Ba...