MERCER-The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast

Cooper Gallant "I Am So Focused, I Forget I Am In A Tournament" on MERCER-199

Cooper Gallant is a 3 time Bassmaster Classic qualifier, a Bassmaster Open winner, a YouTuber and a certified fishing addict. Some people choose pro angling and pro angling chooses some people. Coop is definitely the later. Without fishing he actually claims to go into withdrawal. He is obsessed with the sport and finally hoisting an Elite Series trophy. This week he joins the podcast and opens up about the topic that endlessly occupies his mind. Well at least 70% of the time. 

Jason Christie-One of the Most Feared Men In Fishing on MERCER-198

Is Jason Christie really one of the most feared men in bass fishing? Not by fans of the sport but if you have to compete against him that’s a whole different story. Christie has 18 tour level wins, he has fished in 10 Bassmaster Classics and he won the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing in 2022. Not only is that resume scary, it gets even more intimidating when you realize he is going into the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series maybe even more motivated and driven than ever before. But first, he stops by this week’s Mercer Podcast to talk about all that and so much more.

Brandon Palaniuk and Kyle Vandever Not Another F#&$ING Podcast! on MERCER-197

I get it. The last thing the world needs is another podcast but it needs this one. Brandon Palaniuk is a former Bass Nation National Champion, he has qualified for 13 Bassmaster Classics, won 6 Bassmaster Tournaments and 2 Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles. Kyle Vandever is an outdoor videographer & producer that not only shoots the incredible BMP behind-the-scenes series but he is a world traveler. Vandy has literally walked with Silverback gorillas & swam with Humpback Whales. Together they are two of the most positive people on this planet. No matter what they are doing it’s obvious that they both believe in squeezing every ounce of joy out of life. This week they join the podcast to talk about life, struggles, success & their brand new podcast.

Denny Brauer "Can Still Kick Your bASS!" on MERCER-196

Denny Brauer has won 17 Bassmaster tournaments, 2 Angler of the Year titles and he is the 1998 Bassmaster Classic Champion. He was the first angler ever featured on the Wheeties Box, he made two appearances on the David Letterman Show and he actually taught Ozzy Osborne how to cast! Although this Bass Fishing Hall of Famer has been away from tour level competition for over a decade, make no mistakes - Denny Brauer Can Still Kick Your bASS! He joins this week’s podcast to talk about all that and so much more.

Matt Herren "Take That God Forsaken Thing Off The Front of My Boat!" on MERCER-195

Matt Herren is a 10-time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier, a 5-time FLW Cup qualifier and a former TTBC Champion. But over the last 2 years he has quickly become one of the loudest voices against FFS. However, as this podcast will reveal, Matt has become a conflicted man with a love hate relationship with the newest technology. This week he joins the podcast to discuss his new positive outlook in 2025 and he shares his raw and honest opinion on just about everything else!

Justin Hamner and Rob Newell on MERCER-194

Buckle up humpers because this week is another double dose of goodness. First we kick things off with the reigning and defending Bassmaster Classic Champion Justin Hamner. Then we are joined by 30 year industry veteran Rob Newell. Whether it’s been as a writer, a reporter or a photographer for over 3 decades Newell has had a front row seat to some of the most incredible moments in professional fishing. This week he joins the podcast to talk about his new book Egos, Logos & Fishing Prose. This must read tell-all memoir truly takes you behind the curtain as Rob reveals what he feels are the good, the bad and the ugly parts of pro fishing from his view point.

Kevin VanDam - From Tournaments to Television on MERCER-193

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 and a FLW Angler of the Year title. All of that adds up to over 7 million in earnings and countless records. However, competitive angling is in his rearview mirror and now KVD is focused on the transition from tournaments to television with the launch of his highly anticipated show The VanDam Experience. But first he joins the podcast to talk about all that and so much more.

Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona - Guess Who's Back! on MERCER-192

It’s the Mercer Podcast Festive Special and it’s a good one! What Pat Summerall and John Madden were to Football, Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona are to Professional Bass Fishing. Both are individually members of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. But together they have a unique chemistry and an engaging connection that not only educates but it entertains. This week T & Z join the podcast and reunite for a candid conversation and a couple of very JUICY announcements that will make every Bassmaster fan very HAPPY!!! #TnZ

Byron Velvick - It Takes Balls To Be A Pro Angler on MERCER-191

Buckle up! This one gets extra SPICY! Byron Velvick is a 3 time Bassmaster winner and a 2 time Classic qualifier. He is a big bait pioneer from the west coast that has won 14 boats and a dang Rolex! He is truly one of the greatest promoters of the sport of fishing. He was once “The Bachelor” on ABC which resulted in him being a guest on every major talk show on TV. The whole time he was promoting the sport he loves….fishing. This week he returns to the podcast and shares some of the craziest real life tournament stories ever told on this show.

Kyle Welcher Would Rather Eat a Snake Than A Tomato on MERCER-190

Stone Cold Kyle Welcher is a three-time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier and the 2023 Bassmaster Angler of the Year. Welcher, a former professional gambler, is one of the brightest young stars in pro fishing. His incredible mind and unique outlook on angling is truly remarkable. This week he joins the podcast to have a very open, honest and sometimes awkward conversation where we learn he would rather eat a snake than a tomato.