MERCER-The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast

John Cox and Logan Parks on MERCER-239

We have an insane episode this week! First we are joined by an 8-time Classic qualifier, a 2-time Bassmaster winner, a 9-time FLW Tour winner, John Cox.   Then we have 2-time Classic qualifier, Logan Parks who bring with him a whole cast of characters from his recent NSANE Tournament. The winners, college angler Dalton Head and highschool angler Jackson Watts join in and tell us about their win and fishing the NSANE tournament.  Next Logan brings in the winner of his free boat from the same tournament, Jacob Jerrell!   All these guests make this an insane episode as we all talk fishing, slurpies, strange pets, NSANE tournament trends, winners, and all the behind-the-scenes you want to know.  And don't forget to vote MERCER for best podcast! https://bestontour.net/awards/

Matt Robertson "Ain't Nobody Else Gonna Tell You The Truth" on MERCER-238

From the trailer park to the top of the pro fishing world, is the road Matt Robertson has traveled. He has qualified for 5 Bassmaster Classics and won a Bassmaster Open. But maybe more impressive is the loyal legion of fans he attracted along the way. This week he joins the podcast to talk about the frustration of not catching them, getting ripped off, how to catch 'em by not caring, breast milk for bodybuilders and the new Bassmaster rules. Plus, just about everything else because as he puts it “Ain’t nobody else gonna tell you the truth, so I may as well!”

Nick Trim, Noah Winslow & Dylan Nutt on MERCER-237

In 1994 Bryan Kerchal became the only Bass Nation angler to ever win the Bassmaster Classic. Since then he has inspired countless Bass Nation anglers to try to do the same. This week we are joined by all three of the newest Bass Nation Classic qualifiers. Bass Nation National Champion Nick Trim, runner up Noah Winslow and 3rd place finisher Dylan Nutt will all fish the 2026 Bassmaster Classic but first they join the podcast to chat about who they are, how they qualified and how they plan to win the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing.

Tripp Berlinsky-You Won't Believe What This College Angler Did! on MERCER-236

Tripp Berlinsky may just just be the perfect combination of Seth Feider, Shaggy from Scooby-Doo & Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The crazy part is Seth js most likely the only name on that list that Tripp has even heard of! The 20 year old Florida angler is a sophomore at The University of North Alabama. He recently won the Bassmaster Collage Classic bracket punching his ticket to the Super Bowl of bass fishing. This week he joins the podcast and you are not going to believe what this college angler just did! 

Laker Howell-From Shooting Squirrels to Hoisting Trophies! on MERCER-235

It did not take Laker Howell, son of Bassmaster Classic champion Randy Howell long to make his own mark in pro fishing. In just his second year of Bassmaster Opens competition Laker doubled-down winning twice and double qualifying for the Bassmaster Classic. This week he joins the podcast to discuss his recent wins, growing up on tour, chasing his dreams and ultimately going from shooting squirrels to hoisting trophies.

Tucker Smith - What the Tuck Will They Say Now? on MERCER-234

At only 24 years old Tucker Smith has been successful at every level of fishing. He is a 3 time Bassmaster High School Champion, a former College Bass Champion, a Bassmaster Elite Series Champion and the reigning Elite Series Rookie of the Year. Before even making the tour, Tucker won a million dollars in the Johnny Morris U.S Open Team tournament. But even with a resume like that, some people try to write off his skills and success to forward facing sonar. But that was before this past weekend when he won half a million dollars winning the Ultimate Angler World Championship on Lake Guntersville where forward facing sonar was not allowed. Now it’s got many folks wondering what the TUCK the haters are going to say about him now???

Todd Castledine Has Something To Say About Everything on MERCER-233

Todd Castledine does not call himself a professional angler, but with over 50 tournament wins he may be one of the most pure forms of a pro. When he is not competing, Castledine is a bait designer and a YouTuber that is never shy of sharing his opinion. So buckle up because this week he joins the podcast and proves he truly has something to say about EVERYTHING!

Emil Wagner - The Great Dane! on MERCER-232

My friendship with Emil Wagner started at NASA. Sounds made up but it’s true. Emil is a former All-American Champion, a Bassmaster Classic Qualifier and most recently, the winner of the first Bassmaster EQ event in history. But that’s not his only first. He is also the first and only pro born in Denmark, naturally making him the Great Dane. This week, he joins the podcast to talk about all that and so much more, including our history together at NASA.

Dakota Ebare “I Broke The Rule, But Is The Rule Broken??” on MERCER-231

Dakota Ebare just wrapped up his first season on the Bassmaster Elite Series and qualified for his first Bassmaster Classic. He is far from a rookie with 2 MLF wins and over a million dollars in earnings. But nobody is immune to challenges in pro angling and Dakota had his share in 2025. This week, the Texas pro joins the podcast for a very real and raw conversation about overcoming the struggles of his rookie season and a recent rules infraction that he self-reported and openly admits he broke the rule, but it leaves him wondering if the is the rule broken. 

Jeff Gustafson Loves A Good F-Bomb on MERCER-230

Some call him Gussy, some know him as the Great Canadian Snow Leopard but if you know him you love him. Jeff Gustafson is a 6-time Classic qualifier, an Elite Series Champion and the 2023 Bassmaster Classic Champion. This week he joins the podcast and talks about his toughest season on tour, the new Bassmaster rules, his future, on the water respect and even though he is widely regarded as one of the true good guys on tour, he still loves a good F-Bomb.