MERCER-The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast

Bassmaster Classic Champion Easton Fothergill - Easton to Beaston!! & Jake's Take on MERCER-205

Hot off his Historic Bassmaster Classic victory, Easton Fothergill joins the podcast. We discuss his incredible victory on Lake Ray Roberts. His inspiring story of overcoming horrific obstacles and a whole list of hot topics. But that’s not all! Then we are joined by bassmaster videographer, Jake Latendresse with the ultimate Bassmaster behind-the-scenes show, Jake’s Take. 

John Garrett "All Pro Anglers Lie" on MERCER-204

John Garrett is one of the brightest young stars in pro fishing. Not only is he a former College Bass Champion but he won an Elite Series title in only his 3rd event and finished his rookie season with a top 10 in Angler of the Year. Rookie luck? Not likely. This week he will compete in his second Bassmaster Classic and will do so as the current leader in Bassmaster Angler of the Year points. But first he stops by the podcast to talk about leading AOY, seeing a UFO, interrupting a drug deal and the fact that all pro anglers lie a little.

Seth Feider & Jake's Take "Anglers Who Read the Rules are Cheaters" on MERCER-203

Seth Feider is a 2-time Bassmaster winner and the 2021 Bassmaster Angler-of-the-Year. Feider has built a legion of loyal fans that connect with his open, honest and down-to-earth attitude. This week he once again returns to the podcast and as always “the lama” tells it like he sees it. Right down to the fact that he believes if you study the rule book you are looking to cheat. But that’s not all, we also have Jake’s Take - the ultimate behind-the-scenes Bassmaster segment with Bassmaster videographer Jake Latendresse. Just back from shooting the Bassmaster Open on Kentucky Lake where he was on the boat with the newest Open champion, Yui Aoki.

Brandon Palaniuk, Bill Lowen and Jake's Take on MERCER-202

Buckle up and get ready for a mega show this week. We have the first two Bassmaster Elite Series Champions of 2025. Both Lake Okeechobee Champion Brandon Palaniuk & St Johns River Champion Bill Lowen join the show to celebrate their incredible victories. Then BASS Live videographer Jake Latendresse gives his take on the first two events of the season with the ultimate Bassmaster behind-the-scenes segment, Jake’s Take.

Ish Monroe Bought a Ferrari from Bass Fishing on MERCER-201

Ish Monroe is a 5-time Bassmaster winner and 10-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier. Throughout his career he has definitely lived up to the moniker B.S.S. (Big Bass Specialist). However, Ish is not only a top competitor on the water but it seems he is a big wheel in the board room as well. His incredible work ethic and tireless drive has made him one of the best promoters in pro fishing. Don’t believe me? Ask yourself, how many pro anglers once owned a Ferrari? Well Ish did and he got is from fishing! 

Bill Dance - A Jitterbug to a Juggernaut on MERCER-200

Bill Dance has won 7 Bassmaster events, he is a 3 time Bassmaster Angler of the Year and he even has the honour of catching the first bass ever caught in a Bassmaster tournament! The crazy part is, he did all that before he was 40 years old. At 39 years old Bill Dance retired from competition and put his full time focus into TV. Since then, he has built an Outdoors empire, creating and producing, arguably, the most successful fishing shows in history. He is a member of every fishing Hall of Fame imaginable. He has a bridge named after him, he has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Tennessee and Luke Bryan has even wrote a hit song about him. His impact on fishing will be felt for generations. All of this was fuelled by a topwater fish he caught on a Jitterbug. Bill Dance went from a Jitterbug to a fishing industry Juggernaut! He joins the 200th episode of Mercer to talk about all that and so much more.

Cooper Gallant "I Am So Focused, I Forget I Am In A Tournament" on MERCER-199

Cooper Gallant is a 3 time Bassmaster Classic qualifier, a Bassmaster Open winner, a YouTuber and a certified fishing addict. Some people choose pro angling and pro angling chooses some people. Coop is definitely the later. Without fishing he actually claims to go into withdrawal. He is obsessed with the sport and finally hoisting an Elite Series trophy. This week he joins the podcast and opens up about the topic that endlessly occupies his mind. Well at least 70% of the time. 

Jason Christie-One of the Most Feared Men In Fishing on MERCER-198

Is Jason Christie really one of the most feared men in bass fishing? Not by fans of the sport but if you have to compete against him that’s a whole different story. Christie has 18 tour level wins, he has fished in 10 Bassmaster Classics and he won the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing in 2022. Not only is that resume scary, it gets even more intimidating when you realize he is going into the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series maybe even more motivated and driven than ever before. But first, he stops by this week’s Mercer Podcast to talk about all that and so much more.

Brandon Palaniuk and Kyle Vandever Not Another F#&$ING Podcast! on MERCER-197

I get it. The last thing the world needs is another podcast but it needs this one. Brandon Palaniuk is a former Bass Nation National Champion, he has qualified for 13 Bassmaster Classics, won 6 Bassmaster Tournaments and 2 Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles. Kyle Vandever is an outdoor videographer & producer that not only shoots the incredible BMP behind-the-scenes series but he is a world traveler. Vandy has literally walked with Silverback gorillas & swam with Humpback Whales. Together they are two of the most positive people on this planet. No matter what they are doing it’s obvious that they both believe in squeezing every ounce of joy out of life. This week they join the podcast to talk about life, struggles, success & their brand new podcast.

Denny Brauer "Can Still Kick Your bASS!" on MERCER-196

Denny Brauer has won 17 Bassmaster tournaments, 2 Angler of the Year titles and he is the 1998 Bassmaster Classic Champion. He was the first angler ever featured on the Wheeties Box, he made two appearances on the David Letterman Show and he actually taught Ozzy Osborne how to cast! Although this Bass Fishing Hall of Famer has been away from tour level competition for over a decade, make no mistakes - Denny Brauer Can Still Kick Your bASS! He joins this week’s podcast to talk about all that and so much more.