MERCER-The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast

Rick Clunn and Takumi Ito on Mercer-167

It’s Clunn-Day! 4-time Bassmaster Classic Champion, the legendary Mr. Rick Clunn stops by for his monthly visit with an eye-opening conversation that you truly won’t want to miss. But that’s not all - we are also joined by 4-time Classic Qualifier and Elite Series Champion, Takumi Ito. Taku brings his almost addictive child-like enthusiasm to the show and opens up about many things that he has never publicly spoken about before.

Kevin VanDam, Cliff Prince and Jake's Take on MERCER-166

This week we have triple the podcast for you with 3 incredible guests. First, it’s Jake’s Take with all the behind-the-scenes dirt from the Wheeler Lake Bassmaster Elite. Then we are joined by the newest Elite Series champion, the Prince of Palatka himself - Cliff Prince. As if that’s not enough, finally, we hook up with Kevin VanDam to talk about recently being a topic on one of the biggest mainstream sports shows on the planet - The Pat McAfee Show.

David Gaston and The Homeless Fisherman on MERCER-165

This week we have another double dose of goodness. First, we are joined by Bassmaster Elite Series pro David Gaston, who recently caught a 831 LB record Tuna. He tells the crazy, jaw-dropping story of the 11-hour fight aboard the 66ft Fat Chick. Then we hook up with The Homeless Fishermen - Marshall Arnwine. Who tells his incredibly inspiring story that just a few years ago, had him eating out of the garbage to today, being a rapidly growing content creator in search of the next world record bass. You don’t wanna miss this episode of the Mercer podcast!

Seth Feider "Sometimes I Just Wanna Pee In My Front Yard" on MERCER-164 (AUDIO VERSION)

He is a 6-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier, a 2-time Bassmaster winner, the 2021 Bassmaster Angler of the Year, the amazing Feider-Man, Seth Feider joins us this week as he talks about his start to the season, how White Castle once saved his life, tournament rumours, quitting smoking, the urge to pee in his front yard and so, so much more.

Brandon Palaniuk 'LIV 2 FSH' on MERCER-163 (AUDIO VERSION)

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. But none of these incredible accomplishments were achieved without a lot of work. This week we get a unique look inside the marvellous mind of “The Prodigy” and how the words 'Liv 2 Fsh' started on his hard hat but have driven him to achieve his childhood dreams.

Patrick Walters "Rookies Get Me Fired Up!" on MERCER-162 (AUDIO VERSION)

Patrick Walters has almost never struggled since joining the Bassmaster Elite Series. When you read his list of accomplishments, it almost sounds fake for an angler that has not even completed his 6th season - 5 Bassmaster Wins, 5 Classics Fished, 24 Top 10s, 3 Century Belts as well as the Record Biggest Win Margin and the Largest Smallmouth Winning Weight EVER! Hot off his last Elite Series win on Lake Murray, Patrick joins the podcast and talks about 1400 unanswered texts, how the Elite Series rookies affect him, his A.O.Y. chances, his biggest rivals and greatest goals. This and so, so much more on this week’s Mercer Podcast.

Carl Jocumsen and Jake's Take on MERCER-161 (AUDIO VERSION)

Australian Bassmaster Elite Series Champion Carl Jocumsen joins the show and really opens up about, well, EVERYTHING. One by one we break down all the spicy stories in bass fishing and try to figure out the rules that improve them in the future. 
But first we have another edition of Jake’s Take with Bassmaster Videographer Jake Latendresse. Warning - this episode is for entertainment purposes only. Please do not be offended by any of the stories or ideas shared in these conversations. 

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!