MERCER-The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast

Chad Pipkens - Positively Pipkens on MERCER-107

The ultra likeable Chad Pipkens is a 6 time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier and a Bassmaster Open Winner. His incredibly positive outlook on life and professional angling is truly addictive. With 17 Bassmaster top 10's the friendly & charismatic Michigan pro feels this big win is coming. But first, he joins this week's podcast to talk about life on tour, being a hockey ref and his battle with Biffle. Plus so, so much more this week on The Mercer Podcast.

Ben Milliken The Next Big Thing on MERCER-106

Ben Milliken is only two events into his Bassmaster Open career and he has already made his mark in a giant way. He finished 5th in the first one and he won the second one, making him a Bassmaster Classic qualifier and he just may be the Next Big Thing in Bass fishing. Ben arguably has one of the biggest independent fishing channels on YouTube. Milliken Fishing has over 500,000 YouTube subscribers and over 120 million plays. This week he once again joins the podcast to talk about all that and so, so much more.

Mike Iaconelli, Bass Fishing Hall of Famer on MERCER-105

Mike Iaconelli is the 2003 Bassmaster Classic Champion, the 2006 Bassmaster Angler of the Year, an 8 time Bassmaster winner with almost 3 million dollars in tournament winnings. Ike was once referred to as the bad boy of bass fishing and he even made GQ’s list of the top 10 most hated athletes. Well, whoever made that list clearly never asked the actual fans because Ike has amassed one of the biggest followings in pro fishing. He is a best selling author, a TV host a philanthropist and the creator of the ground breaking podcast, Ike Live. To top that all off, Mike Iaconelli recently found out he will be inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in the fall of 2023. But first, he joins the podcast to talk about all that and so, so much more.

Jake Latendresse Bassmaster Classic Behind-The-Scenes on MERCER-104

Just back from the Record setting 2023 Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville, Tennessee 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 2023 Bassmaster Classic.

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.