MERCER-The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast

Mark Zona "I Love This Sport So Much" on MERCER-160

Some call him Z, some call him Z Train, some call him Zona but almost nobody calls him Mark. Friend of the show, Mark Zona returns to the podcast and he lets loose on just about every topic you can think of. Mark Zona, the over-the-top host of Bassmaster LIVE and Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show is being inducted to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame this September. He is truly one of the biggest names in the sport of pro fishing but none of that came without an incredible amount of work all fuelled by his tremendous love for the sport of professional fishing.

Justin Hamner and Pete Mania on MERCER-159

Bassmaster Classic Champion Justin Hamner stops by the show to kick off his monthly podcast residency. We talk about the Florida Elite Series events, his name on a NASCAR and Roll Tide Willy. But that’s not all - next up friend of the show and Musky Master Pete Mania returns to the podcast and shares his thoughts on fishing technology and how he sees it changing musky angling, turkey hunting, prepping and much, much more.

Cory Johnston and Jake's Take on MERCER-158

Cory Johnston just won the 4 day St Johns River Bassmaster Elite Series event in only 3 days. Not only is this the first time in history that has happened, it’s also the first Elite Series win for Cory Johnston. Hot off his win he joins the podcast and talks about winning, chirping, retiring, hunting, snagging chatter, a lie detector test and the after party (including home videos). But that’s not all! Jake’s Take - the ultimate behind-the-scenes Bassmaster segment with Bassmaster videographer Jake Latendresse returns and we talk about everything that happened both on and off the water at the St Johns River tournament. His incredible two days with Rick Clunn during his 500th Bassmaster Tournament and two days with Greg Hackney. Yep! All that and more on this week's Mercer Podcast!

Kristine Fischer and Jake's Take on MERCER-157

Another double dose of goodness this week. First we have Jake’s Take - the ultimate behind-the-scenes Bassmaster segment with Bassmaster videographer Jake Latendresse. Just back from shooting John Garrett’s first Elite Series victory on the Harris Chain of Lakes. But that’s not all, then we are joined by trail blazing female angler Kristine Fischer. She has made an incredible impact in the competitive kayak fishing world but now she is making the move to fish the Bassmaster Opens. We talk about that transition, BassmastHER & so much more. 

Clunn Day! With Rick Clunn & Tyler Williams on MERCER-156

This week we kick things off with Clunn Day! The legendary Rick Clunn returns to the show as part of his monthly podcast residency to celebrate his 50th season of Bassmaster Competition. When Rick Clunn speaks, we all learn. But that’s not all, Bassmaster Elite Series rookie & Bassmaster Open winner “The Maine Event” Tyler Williams joins the show hot off his first Bassmaster Classic and his first escalator ride! 

Kevin VanDam "What's Next?" on MERCER-155

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 & a FLW Angler of the Year title. All of that adds up to over 7 million in earnings & countless records. However now he has officially retired from competitive angling so what’s next? Kevin joins this week’s Mercer podcast & he addresses that as well as many other topics he has on his mind. 

Justin Hamner and Jake's Take on MERCER-154

Buckle up! It’s the Bassmaster Classic Mega Show. It’s episode 154 and we have Justin Hamner; the winner of the 54th Bassmaster Classic. Yep! We planned that from the start. Well, maybe not, but Justin Hamner did predict his win on this show two weeks ago. Hamner returns with some incredible behind-the-scenes stories. But first we have another edition of Jake’s Take with Bassmaster Videographer Jake Latendresse. This episode is like a good movie- we laugh, we cry and everything in between.

Jeff Gustafson and Jason Christie on MERCER-153

It’s Classic week and what a Bassmaster Classic show we have in store for you! The last two Classic champions join the show together. That’s right - both the 2023 Champion Jeff Gustafson and the 2022 Champion Jason Christie in one episode together. For a very real, raw and honest conversation with the last two anglers to win the Super Bowl of bass fishing!

Rick Clunn, Kevin VanDam and Justin Hamner on MERCER-152

This week’s Mega show has three guests with a combined 62 Classic appearances, 8 Classic wins, 9 AOYs and 241 Bassmaster Top 10’s. First, we are joined by Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Justin Hamner who recently caught the biggest bass ever caught on Bassmaster LIVE - an 11lb 7oz freak panda. Then it’s Clunn-Day, the legendary Mr. Rick Clunn stops by for his monthly visit with an eye-opening conversation that you won’t want to miss. But that’s not all! To finish out this Mega episode we have a quick visit with Kevin VanDam where he breaks the big news so many people have been waiting for.
Check out KVD’s channel - https://youtube.com/@TheKevinVanDam?si=nzMhGgqT-BH2iyo5
 
 

Trey McKinney and Jake's Take on MERCER-151

Just imagine being a 19 year old kid & winning your first Bassmaster Elite Series tournament in only your second event. Well, Trey McKinney did just that on Lake Fork this past weekend. He became the youngest Elite Series champion & took over the co-lead in Bassmaster Angler of the Year & Rookie of the Year race along with Ben Milliken. Now he joins the podcast to talk about it. But that’s not all. Jake’s Take - the ultimate behind-the-scenes Bassmaster segment with Bassmaster videographer Jake Latendresse returns & we talk about everything that happened both on and off the water at the Toledo Bend & Lake Fork tournaments. Including never before revealed info from the back deck of Kyoya Fujita , Lee Livesay, Takumi Ito, Kyle Welcher & Ben Milliken’s boat.