MERCER-The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast

Jeff Gustafson - 2023 Bassmaster Classic Champion on MERCER-103

The ultra popular and always likeable Jeff Gustafson made history this past weekend by becoming the only Canadian to ever win the Bassmaster Classic. He also became the first Canadian with multiple Bassmaster wins. Ironically both wins coming from the same body of water - the Tennessee River in Knoxville, Tennessee. The fact that Gussy lives roughly 22 hours from there in Kenora, Ontario did not stop him from feeling at home on a river he has dominated two events in a row. This week Gussy joins the podcast to talk about winning the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing and shares many behind-the-scenes stories about what it’s really like to be a Bassmaster Classic Champion. As if that’s not enough we also have a quick chat with Jamie Bruce (Gussy’s buddy, Podcast Host & Bassmaster Opens EQ angler) about the incredible party that it was. 

Tyler Rivet-Young Gun On A Run on MERCER-102

Louisiana’s Tyler Rivet will kick off his 2nd Bassmaster Classic appearance in just a couple of days. He comes into this tournament riding an incredible wave of momentum after winning the first Bassmaster Elite Series tournament of the season on Lake Okeechobee and backing it up with a 3rd place finish at Lake Seminole. He is the current leader in Bassmaster Angler of the Year points and he is truly a young gun on an incredible run. This week he joins the podcast to talk about what changed and so, so much more.

KVD - Kevin VanDam, VanDominate, VanDone? on MERCER-101

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. Nothing about Kevin VanDam’s tournament career has ever been average including how he has chosen to walk away from it at 55 years old. Most pro anglers never retire but then again KVD is not most. This week he joins the podcast to talk about the past, the present & his amazing future as a retired tournament pro. 
 

Rick Clunn - Inside The Marvellous Mind of a Master on MERCER-100

Rick Clunn is a 4-time Bassmaster Classic Champion, 16-time Bassmaster winner, 32-time Classic Qualifier & a former Bassmaster AOY. Beyond all of those trophies and accolades, Rick Clunn is an absolute anomaly. What he is doing in fishing is not happening in any other sport or competitive activity on earth. At 76 years old he just kicked off his 49th season competing at the top level of the sport. At a time that may be more dominated by young anglers than ever before, Rick Clunn is almost 5 decades into his legendary 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 the eyes of many. Rick Clunn is a unicorn. When tournaments are over he disappears into the tranquility and beauty of the Ozark Mountains. But this week for our 100th episode Rick agreed to find WIFI and join us for a very rare, very open and very candid conversation. Thank you Rick.

Jake Latendresse - Bassmaster Behind-The-Scenes on Okeechobee & Seminole - Jake’s Take on MERCER-99

Just back from the first 2 Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments of the 2023 season and so is 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 REALLY happened on and off the water at the Lake Okeechobee and Lake Seminole Bassmaster Elite Series Tournaments.

Ben Milliken - ”I’m Not Good At Catching Small Fish” on MERCER 98

Ben Milliken is no stranger to taking risks. In his mid 20’s he left a safe job to chase his dream of fishing full time. Just seven years later he arguably has one of the biggest independent fishing channels on YouTube. Milliken Fishing has over 500,000 YouTube subscribers and over 120 million plays. All of this fuelled by his life long angling addiction. Next week he embarks on another incredible angling adventure as he joins 175 other Bassmaster EQ Pros and competes in the Bassmaster Opens vying for one of the nine coveted Bassmaster Elite Series spots. But first, he joins the podcast to talk about all that and so, so much more.

Bradley Hallman - Tournament Fishing ALMOST Stole My Soul on MERCER 97

Bradley Hallman is a two-time FLW Tour winner and a two-time Elite Series qualifier with a rapidly growing YouTube following. But it has not always been this way. At one point in his life, Bradley walked away from the Bassmaster Elite Series believing that tournament fishing had stole his soul. But that was then, this is now. A rejuvenated and reenergized Hallman is just a few short hours away from kicking off his second stint on the Bassmaster Elite Series. But first he joins the podcast to talk about his past & the more prepared person it has made him today.

Lee Livesay ”Man, It Feels Different This Year” on MERCER-96

Over the last 3 years Lee Livesay is truly one of the hottest anglers on the planet. In that short time he has won 4 Bassmaster tournaments, collected 2 Bassmaster Century Belts & weighed in the 3rd biggest limit in Bassmaster History. He has qualified for 3 Bassmaster Classics & not only did he win on his home lake (Lake Fork) but he did it back-to-back. Along the way he has assembled one of the coolest sponsor line ups in professional fishing. Not only is he sponsored by Busch Beer but also the hit southern rock/country band Whiskey Myers. Livesay represents the same red dirt roots that they sing about as he continues his fast train to the top of the fishing game. But this year things feel a little different & Lee joins the podcast to talk about all that and so, so much more.
 
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Matt Robertson ”I Am Done Apologizing” on MERCER-95

Matt Robertson is one of the most polarizing pro anglers in professional fishing. He is a 4-time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier and a Bassmaster Open Champion. In a very short time he has built a legion of loyal fans. Known for his signature ON ‘EM hat, his cut-off shirts, fur coats and ferocious personality. Matt proudly represents Kentucky and the trailer park he calls home. His down home thinking and don’t-give-a-crap attitude has taken the fishing world by storm. Along the way he has ruffled some feathers but ultimately Matt just wants to catch fish and have a good time.

John Cox - Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop on MERCER-94

John Cox is not your average pro angler. As a matter of fact nothing about John Cox is average. His incredible career includes 9 FLW Wins, 2 Bassmaster Wins, he is the 2016 Forrest Wood Cup Champion with close to 3 million dollars in tournament winnings. But what’s even more amazing than his accomplishments is how he has done it. At a time when people think it’s impossible to make your mark in pro fishing without Forward Facing Sonar, Cox still counts on the same natural fish-catching instinct he was born with. His incredible outlook on life & perpetual positive attitude proves he is clearly doing exactly what he was born to do. If you ask John Cox he Can’t Stop & Won’t Stop fishing anytime soon.