MERCER-The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast

Four-time Bassmaster Classic champion Rick Clunn joins the Mercer Podcast alongside longtime Bassmaster cameraman Jake Latendresse for Clunn-Clusion & Jake’s Take with a behind-the-scenes breakdown of the first two Bassmaster Elite Series events of the season & a Bassmaster Classic preview. What really happened on the water?From momentum shifts and decision-making under pressure… to what fans didn’t see on camera… Rick and Jake give two completely different vantage points — legendary competitor and trusted insider.

For this special 250th edition of the Mercer Podcast, we brought in two men who know exactly what it feels like to hoist the trophy on bass fishing’s biggest stage — the two most recent Bassmaster Elite Series champions:🏆 Hank Cherry🏆 Fisher AnayaTwo champions. Two generations. Two very different paths to the top.In this milestone episode, we go beyond the winning moments and into the mindset it takes to survive — and thrive — at the highest level of professional bass fishing. Hank talks legacy, pressure, and what it really means to be a multiple-time champion. Fisher opens up about the new wave, confidence under the lights, and what it’s like carrying momentum in a sport that’s changing fast.We dive into:   •   What separates champions from contenders   •   The mental toll of Elite-level competition   •   Old school instinct vs. modern tech   •   The moment they knew they had it won   •   And what’s next after the confetti fallsIt’s honest. It’s competitive. It’s reflective.And it’s exactly what Episode 250 should be.Thank you for being part of the ride to 250.Let’s get to 300. 🎙️🔥

Arrested in Thailand.Thrown in a jail cell with the Googan Squad. And that’s just one of the many stories that get revealed. In this episode of the Mercer Podcast, Sam Sobi goes way beyond fishing. We talk about the dreams that built him, the setbacks that tested him, giant bass, bugling elk, true love… and the moments that shaped him But first we have the return of Jake’s Take. Bassmaster videographer Jake Latendresse breaks down what really happened behind the scenes from inside the boat with eventual champion Hank Cherry, Trey McKinney, Bryant Smith, and Hunter Shryock. If you love the Elite Series but wish you could hear the stuff that never makes TV — this is it. Raw stories. Real laughs. Zero script & as always awkwardly honest!

This is a real and raw conversation with Mike Iaconelli, one of the most iconic and influential anglers the sport has ever seen.In this episode, Ike looks back on the full arc of his career — the wins that defined him, the losses that shaped him, and the moments that forced him to grow. He opens up about how his mindset has evolved over time, especially as the sport continues to change and a new generation of young, fearless anglers invade the tour.This isn’t a highlight reel or a history lesson — it’s a conversation about evolution, perspective, and what it really means to stay relevant in a sport that never stops moving.However, make no mistake-Ike still Never Gives Up!

Matty Wong doesn’t hold back.In this episode of The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast, Matty opens up about getting cut, the on-the-water confrontations no one talks about — including the day another pro completely lost it on him — and where he really stands with professional fishing today.No sugarcoating. No PR answers. Just real stories about pressure, ego, conflict, and what happens when the cameras aren’t rolling.If you’ve ever wondered what life is actually like behind the scenes of pro fishing… this one’s for you.

No rundown. No prep. No safety net.Just Mark Zona doing what he does best—telling it exactly like it is.In this unfiltered, unscripted conversation, Zona dives headfirst into the real state of pro fishing, the stuff everyone talks about off camera, and why he still loves this sport as much as ever. No notes. No plan. And absolutely no apologies.Expect raw opinions, sharp humor, and classic Zona honesty as he breaks down:   •   The current state of professional bass fishing   •   Forward-facing sonar and where the sport is headed   •   Overused buzzwords and tired narratives   •   His favorite pros to watch (and why)   •   Why passion—not polish—still mattersThis is a real conversation with one of the most recognizable voices in the game. This is Zona Unfiltered, No Notes, No Plan & No Apologies

What does it really take to build a fishing prodigy?On this episode of the Mercer Podcast , Brandon Palaniuk looks back at his own rise—and then flips the script. We reverse-engineer the process, breaking down the mindset, discipline, support system, and decisions required to build the next generation of elite anglers.Brandon dives into his personal history, the lessons learned the hard way, and how today’s young anglers face a completely different path than he did. We also get into the new Bassmaster rules, how they impact competition, and what they mean for the future of the sport.Plus, Brandon discusses his new leadership role as President of the Association of Bassmaster Anglers Professionals sharing his vision, priorities, and what anglers should expect moving forward.This is an awkwardly honest conversation about legacy, leadership, and how prodigies are actually made.

What happens when tournament fishing meets new knees, old pain, and zero filter?Gerald Swindle delivers exactly what fans expect—pain, punchlines, and brutal honesty.In this episode, Swindle opens up about knee surgery, the grind of rehab, and what it really takes to keep competing at the highest level while your body is screaming at you. From fishing through pain to adapting to new rules on tour, he doesn’t sugarcoat a thing. Along the way, he shares the kind of behind-the-scenes stories, laughs, and perspective that only come from decades on the water.This is Gerald Swindle; Pain, Punchlines & the Truth About Getting Older on Tour.

Jason Christie hates losing.And in this episode of Mercer: The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast, he doesn’t sugarcoat a single thing.Jason sits down with Dave Mercer for a no-filter conversation about the mental obsession of competition, what losing really does to him, and why that edge has defined his career. He also breaks down his new YouTube series, what he’s trying to show fans what cameras usually miss, and how his mindset has evolved over time.The conversation dives into the Bassmaster Forward-Facing Sonar (FFS) rule changes, Jason’s honest take on how they impact competition, and what adjustments anglers are really making behind the scenes. Along the way, Jason shares some of the weirdest things he’s experienced on the water, plus never-told stories from life on tour — including a prank gift from fellow prosThis is Jason Christie unfiltered, honest, and exactly how he is away from the stage and spotlight.If you love real conversations about pro fishing, competition, and the mental side of the sport — this episode delivers.But that’s not all, then we are joined by legendary Bassmaster host Tommy Sanders for his annual reading of The Night Before Christmas. A holiday tradition like no other.

On this episode of Mercer : The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast, Dave Mercer sits down with the greatest angler of all time—Kevin VanDam—for one of his most open, honest, and wide-ranging conversations yet.KVD dives deep into the future of professional bass fishing, sharing real, unfiltered thoughts on where the sport is headed, the changes he believes are coming, and what pro fishing must do to keep growing.He also tackles the forward-facing sonar debate head-on, offering his true perspective on how the technology is shaping competition, influencing the next generation, and changing the way anglers think on the water. No politics, no sugarcoating—just Kevin’s authentic take.As always, KVD brings the stories. He reveals behind-the-scenes moments from decades on tour—funny, chaotic, surprising, and honest glimpses into life at the highest level of the sport.Kevin also weighs in on the youth invasion, discussing the hungry new talent shaking up the standings, whether the sport is harder or easier for young anglers today, and what separates the good from the great.And perhaps most revealing of all, he reflects on what it was really like when he was a rookie—the pressure, the learning curve, the mistakes, the moments that fueled him, and the early experiences that forged one of the most dominant careers in fishing history.This is Kevin VanDam unfiltered, real, thoughtful & Awkwardly Honest! A must-listen for every angler, fan, and follower of professional fishing.

Jacob Wheeler is the youngest angler ever to win the All American and the Forrest Wood Cup. He also won the first two Elite Series events he fished. But that was just the start. To date he has won 14 tour level events and he has won 4 out of the last 5 Bass Pro Tour Angler of the Year titles and he is only 35 years old. But it has not always been easy. At one point in his childhood his family literally lost their home. But through that adversity Wheeler learned his endless motivation and tireless work ethic. This week, he joins the podcast and talks about all that plus the future of pro fishing, confidence, career mistakes, building a brand, rookie scars, real life, raw emotion and turning haters into motivators by literally drinking your haters words for breakfast?

Who the heck are these rookies joining the elite series and could they actually be a dream team of anglers?? Well, prepare to get some answers because we have all 10 of them ram-jam packed into this episode. That’s right! We thought it was a good idea to book Fisher Anaya, Russ Lane, Aaron Jagdfeld, Austin Cranford, Sam Hanggi, Matt Messer, Caleb Hudson, Tristan McCormick, Pake South, and Brock Reinkemeyer all on one episode. So kick back, relax and enjoy because only a rookie would miss this episode!

We have an insane episode this week! First we are joined by an 8-time Classic qualifier, a 2-time Bassmaster winner, a 9-time FLW Tour winner, John Cox. Then we have 2-time Classic qualifier, Logan Parks who bring with him a whole cast of characters from his recent NSANE Tournament. The winners, college angler Dalton Head and highschool angler Jackson Watts join in and tell us about their win and fishing the NSANE tournament. Next Logan brings in the winner of his free boat from the same tournament, Jacob Jerrell!  All these guests make this an insane episode as we all talk fishing, slurpies, strange pets, NSANE tournament trends, winners, and all the behind-the-scenes you want to know.  And don't forget to vote MERCER for best podcast!https://bestontour.net/awards/

From the trailer park to the top of the pro fishing world, is the road Matt Robertson has traveled. He has qualified for 5 Bassmaster Classics and won a Bassmaster Open. But maybe more impressive is the loyal legion of fans he attracted along the way. This week he joins the podcast to talk about the frustration of not catching them, getting ripped off, how to catch 'em by not caring, breast milk for bodybuilders and the new Bassmaster rules. Plus, just about everything else because as he puts it “Ain’t nobody else gonna tell you the truth, so I may as well!”

In 1994 Bryan Kerchal became the only Bass Nation angler to ever win the Bassmaster Classic. Since then he has inspired countless Bass Nation anglers to try to do the same. This week we are joined by all three of the newest Bass Nation Classic qualifiers. Bass Nation National Champion Nick Trim, runner up Noah Winslow and 3rd place finisher Dylan Nutt will all fish the 2026 Bassmaster Classic but first they join the podcast to chat about who they are, how they qualified and how they plan to win the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing.

Tripp Berlinsky may just just be the perfect combination of Seth Feider, Shaggy from Scooby-Doo & Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The crazy part is Seth js most likely the only name on that list that Tripp has even heard of! The 20 year old Florida angler is a sophomore at The University of North Alabama. He recently won the Bassmaster Collage Classic bracket punching his ticket to the Super Bowl of bass fishing. This week he joins the podcast and you are not going to believe what this college angler just did!

It did not take Laker Howell, son of Bassmaster Classic champion Randy Howell long to make his own mark in pro fishing. In just his second year of Bassmaster Opens competition Laker doubled-down winning twice and double qualifying for the Bassmaster Classic. This week he joins the podcast to discuss his recent wins, growing up on tour, chasing his dreams and ultimately going from shooting squirrels to hoisting trophies.

At only 24 years old Tucker Smith has been successful at every level of fishing. He is a 3 time Bassmaster High School Champion, a former College Bass Champion, a Bassmaster Elite Series Champion and the reigning Elite Series Rookie of the Year. Before even making the tour, Tucker won a million dollars in the Johnny Morris U.S Open Team tournament. But even with a resume like that, some people try to write off his skills and success to forward facing sonar. But that was before this past weekend when he won half a million dollars winning the Ultimate Angler World Championship on Lake Guntersville where forward facing sonar was not allowed. Now it’s got many folks wondering what the TUCK the haters are going to say about him now???

Todd Castledine does not call himself a professional angler, but with over 50 tournament wins he may be one of the most pure forms of a pro. When he is not competing, Castledine is a bait designer and a YouTuber that is never shy of sharing his opinion. So buckle up because this week he joins the podcast and proves he truly has something to say about EVERYTHING!

Dakota Ebare just wrapped up his first season on the Bassmaster Elite Series and qualified for his first Bassmaster Classic. He is far from a rookie with 2 MLF wins and over a million dollars in earnings. But nobody is immune to challenges in pro angling and Dakota had his share in 2025. This week, the Texas pro joins the podcast for a very real and raw conversation about overcoming the struggles of his rookie season and a recent rules infraction that he self-reported and openly admits he broke the rule, but it leaves him wondering if the is the rule broken. Link to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Auction:https://one.bidpal.net/bfhof/browse/all