MERCER-The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast

Everyone Has An Opinion About Randy Blaukat on MERCER-138

Randy Blaukat has qualified for 8 Bassmaster Classics and 9 FLW Cups but he may have more people watching him today than he ever did at the height of his tournament career. Some take his word as gospel, others dismiss it as nothing more than gossip and click chasing. But Randy Blaukat and his polarizing opinions has found himself on the right side of relevancy more than a decade after his last national tournament victory. Some see him as a fearless crusader, trying to single-handedly ban forward-facing sonar - others say his thoughts are outdated and antiquated. But one thing is for sure. EVERYONE has an opinion about Randy Blaukat. This week he joins the podcast and we talk about or debate, just about EVERYTHING. Humpers get your 🍿ready. This is a good one!

Jordan Lee: A Young Legend Returns to Bassmaster on MERCER-137

Jordon Lee is a fishing phenom that has succeeded at every level of competition. He is a former Bassmaster College Bass Champion, a two time Bassmaster Classic Champion, with multiple MLF wins including an Angler of the Year title. He has won over 2 million dollars and now this young legend has decided to return to the Bassmaster Elite Series. But before that, he joins this week’s podcast to talk about all that and so, so much more.

Jacob Foutz-Real Talk or Ridiculous? on MERCER-136

Jacob Foutz is a former Bassmaster College Bass Champion, a Bassmaster Classic Qualifier & a Bassmaster Elite Series Pro. After two years on the Elite’s Foutz has had 4 top Tens including two back-to-back top Tens at the tail end of 2022 that literally saved his Elite career. 
From the outside it looks like he is living his childhood dream but that dream has felt like a nightmare at times when it comes to sponsor support. He is a quiet, unassuming guy, that has focused on fishing while widely ignored social media and marketing - up until now. Last week that all changed when he took to YouTube and told his truth. With his back against the wall he opened up about how he see’s his situation. Over 80,000 views later he has not only found a way to get noticed but he has left many folks debating whether his thoughts are Real Talk or Ridiculous? 

Chris and Trait Zaldain-Unapologetically Honest on MERCER-135

He is an eight time Bassmaster Classic qualifier and she is the podcast host some folks fear the most. Together they host The Bilge, one of the fastest growing fishing podcasts in the world.  Chris and Trait Zaldain join this week’s podcast and as always they tell it like they see it with their unapologetically honest approach to podcasting. 

Lee Livesay ”It’s Not All Popcorn, Piñata’s and Princesses In Pro Fishing” on MERCER-134

Lee Livesay is a 4 time bassmaster winner, 4 time classic qualifier with 2 bassmaster century belts. But before all of that he was one of the guys. This week we are joined by the Lake Fork legend and as always, he tells it like he sees it. He is loving life as a pro angler but he will remind you it’s not all popcorn, piñata’s & princesses in pro fishing. 

Ben Milliken From YouTube to the Bassmaster Elite Series on MERCER-133

Ben Milliken is one of the biggest YouTube anglers in the game. But that was not enough for him. He wanted more-he wanted to chase his childhood dream of fishing the Bassmaster Elite Series. In one year he did what many people predicted was impossible. Not only did he win a Bassmaster Open and qualify for the Bassmaster Classic but he qualified for the Bassmaster Elite Series. This week Ben joins the podcast to talk about all of that and so much more. 

Clark Wendlandt - STILL DRIVEN on MERCER-132

This week's guest is a 18-time FLW Cup Qualifier, a 6-time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier, a 4-time Angler of the Year with over $3 million dollars in winnings, Clark Wendlandt joins me this week from somewhere deep in the heart of Texas.

Jacob Powroznik - The Fishing World Has Gone Bananas on MERCER-131

Qualifier. This week he takes some time away from hunting to join the podcast. We chat about his early years traveling with Bassmaster Classic Champion Woo Daves, what drives him, what he would like to see changed in the tournament world and ultimately, his thoughts on the current fishing world going bananas.

Pat Schlapper - Hard Work Is Undefeated on MERCER-130

The always open and always honest Pat Schlapper once again returns to the show. Hot off of qualifying for his 3rd Bassmaster Classic, the former Bass Nation National Champion opens up about everything and we mean EVERYTHING. Get your popcorn ready because Pat always tells it like he sees it and no topic is off limits this week. Warning - this episode is both awkward and honest. 

Bryant Smith & Jake’s Take on MERCER-129

This week we have another double dose of goodness. First we are joined by Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Bryant Smith hot off setting the Bassmaster record for the biggest single day smallmouth bass limit in history (29lbs 5 ounces). Then we have Jake’s Take, Bassmaster Videographer and friend of the show, Jake Latendresse returns with the ultimate behind-the-scenes Bassmaster break down of everything that happened at the Bassmaster Open at Lake of the Ozarks.