Brent Ehrler has 9 tour-level wins including the Forest Wood Cup victory equaling an incredible 3.2 million dollars in winnings. This week the west coast legend joins the podcast for the very first time. But don’t worry, Ehrler does not hold back. He dishes the dirt on tournaments, UFOs, Sasquatches and so, so much more. Like, Comment and Click here to enter the AFTCO Reaper Bundle Giveaway! https://www.aftco.com/pages/dave-mercer-reaper-giveaway  

Clark Wendlandt has won an incredible 4 Angler of the Year titles. He has qualified for 6 Bassmaster Classics and 18 FLW Cups. By anyone’s standards Clark has had a Hall of Fame career. Just last week he shocked many by announcing his retirement, making him the first professional angler to step away from competition and openly admit he is leaving because he disagrees with Forward Facing Sonar. Was he Forward Forced into Retirement? This week he joins the podcast and talks about that and so, so much more on Mercer 187.

B.A.S.S. rocked the fishing world by announcing no entry fee events on the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series. Some love it, some not so much. This week we are joined by Greg Hackney, Lee Livesay & Davy Hite to dissect the good, the bad and the ugly of this monumental change in the sport. 

The “Hack Attack” is back. Greg Hackney is a 6 time Bassmaster winner, an 18 time Classic qualifier and the 2014 Bassmaster Angler of the Year. Hackney has won almost every title there is to win in professional bass fishing. This week he once again joins the podcast for a very candid conversation that goes absolutely everywhere.

One show with 9 Bassmaster Elite Series anglers. That’s right, we pulled it off! We have all nine of the newest Elite Series qualifiers in one show! Buckle up and get ready for the Elite 9 - Easton Fothergill, Cody Meyer, Tucker Smith, Paul Marks, Emil Wagner, Andrew Loberg, Dakota Ebare, Beau Browning and Evan Kung all on one friggin' show!!!

This week we once again have a double dose of goodness. First we kick things off with Logan Parks hot off his Bassmaster Elite Series rookie season & just a week after his groundbreaking NSANE tournament for high school & college anglers. He even brings on the winners; Banks Shaw & Kieran Stephenson. Then we are joined by the man more slick than an Ugly Stik, the one and only Matt Robertson. As always the 5 time Bassmaster Classic qualifier brings the heat in a crazy conversation that you will not want to miss! 

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 joins the podcast and shares some of the absolute craziness that is his incredible life.

First we kick things off with Bassmaster videographer Jake Latendresse with Jake’s Take. Just back from the recent Bassmaster College Classic Bracket on Tims Ford Lake in Tennessee.  Then we are joined by the Frog Father - Alfred Williams is a true tournament trailblazer. Not only was he the first black angler to ever qualify for the Bassmaster Classic but he is truly an angling pioneer. Ever wonder why a frog has skirted legs? Wonder no more - Alfred did that. Just a week after being inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame the amazing Alfred Williams joins the show to talk about his life, his learnings and his legacy.

In honour of Bass Fishing Hall of Fame week we have a double dose of goodness. First we kick things off with Mike McKinnis, the visionary producer that created Bassmaster LIVE & limitless list of award winning outdoor programming. Then we are joined by Skeet Reese, one of the greatest competitors in bass fishing history. Reese has 12 tour level victories including the 2009 Bassmaster Classic & the 2007 Bassmaster Angler of the Year title. Amassing over 4 million dollars in winnings making him one of the top 5 money winners in history.  Both of them will be officially inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame this week, but first they stop by this week’s Mercer Podcast.

If Captain America was a pro angler, his name might just be Davy Hite. Hite left a military career to chase his dream of pro angling and what a dream career it has been. Qualifying for 14 Bassmaster Classics, winning 2 Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles and 9 major tournament victories - including the 1998 Forrest Wood Cup and 1999 Bassmaster Classic. In 2017, after a Hall of Fame career, Davy Hite retired from competition to join the Bassmaster broadcast team. This week, Davy joins the podcast and talks about the 2024 Bassmaster series, rules, rookies and real talk. 

You ever hear the joke about 3 Canadians walking into a bar? Us either but it sure makes for a great podcast. Cory Johnston doubled down in 2024 with 2 Elite Series victories. Not to be outdone, little bro Chris Johnston just became the first Canadian to EVER win the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year title. It was a huge year for both these hockey-playing brothers from north of the border. However it was not all highlights. There were some low lights including World War Gee at the St. Lawrance River. This week the Johnston brothers belly up to the bar to talk about all that and so, so much more on the Mercer podcast.

Just weeks before getting officially inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, Mark Zona rocked the fishing world by signing off of BassLive for the final time. The incredible off the wall personality of Z has painted pictures with his words for a generation of Bassmaster fans. Why is he stepping away from a position that is seemingly perfect for him? He answers that and so much more on this week’s Mercer Podcast. 

For the first time since his final walk across the Bassmaster Elite Series stage, 4 time Bassmaster Classic champion Rick Clunn finally speaks. After Clunn’s legendary 5 decade 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. He has always marched to the beat of his own drum. This time is no different. He may be stepping away from the Elite Series but this is far from CLUNN-clusion.

Robert Gee racked up an impressive 4 top fives in 2024. On top of that he went second, third and second on his last 3 events. Gee what a start to an Elite Series career! But many recently know him more as part of an on-the-water dispute we are calling World War Gee.  But first we have Jake’s Take - the ultimate behind-the-scenes Bassmaster segment with Bassmaster videographer Jake Latendresse. Just back from the 2 New York  Bassmaster Elite Series events.

Wes Logan is a Bassmaster Classic Qualifier and an Elite Series Champion. However, all those accolades seemed a long way off when he was riding in an ambulance after a scary boat wreck during last week’s Elite Series tournament on Lake Champlain. Many folks have talked about it but now you get to hear directly from Wes “What REALLY Happened”. Plus a whole lot more only on this week on Mercer Podcast.

Justin Hamner truly lets it ALL out on this week’s show - the good, the bad and some stuff that just makes him SICK. Hamner is the reigning and defending Bassmaster Classic Champion. With just two events left in the 2024 Bassmaster Elites he is the current leader in Progressive Bassmaster Angler Of The Year points. Can Justin Hamner make history and become only the 3rd angler to ever win the Classic and AOY in the same season? Proving that 2024 truly is Hamner Time!!!

Brett Hite is a 6 time Bassmaster Classic qualifier with 5 national tournament wins and almost 2 million dollars in tournament earnings. B Hite started his career as a west coast finesse angler but today you can’t talk about a bladed jig without mentioning his name. Brett Hite has arguably been more dominant with that technique than any other angler on earth. This week he joins the podcast to talk about that and a whole lot more. This is truly one of the most open and honest conversations we have ever had on this show.

You never know who will show up on this show. This week we kick things off with Pat Roach, AKA Randy from Trailer Park Boys. When Pat is not playing Randy the Assistant Trailer Park Supervisor at Sunnyvale Trailer Park he loves to fish. Pat joins the podcast to talk about his love for angling, the outdoors and life. But that’s not all. Then we are joined by YouTuber, social media super star and Bassmaster Pro Ben Milliken. As always Ben tells it like he sees it, including the good, the bad and the ugly of his first season on the Bassmaster Elite Series. Pack a lunch because this one is a fun one!

Joey Cifuentes is the reigning Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie of the Year. After winning two Elite Series tournaments and coming close to winning Angler of the Year in his first season. It looked like the Elites was child’s play for the cowboy. But that was last year, this year things are as different as a kaleidoscope. Call it a sophomore slump, call it what you want but Joey Cifuentes went from the top 5 in AOY standings to 102nd place. A year ago he literally had fish jumping in his boat, now they are jumping out of his livewell! How does that happen? The Cowboy joins us from the beach to answers that question as well as many more on this week’s Mercer Podcast.

Who in the heck are the Derby Boys? Well, if you take four of the most colourful characters on the Bassmaster Elite Series - Seth Feider, Matt Robertson, Cory and Chris Johnston, put them all together and you have The Derby Boys. Sure they are all at the top of their game on the water and a threat to win any tournament. But what’s life really like on the road. These four promise to take viewers behind the scenes like never before with their new YouTube series. From fights to farts and everything in between The Derby Boys will bare it all. This week they join the podcast to announce their new show and to talk about well…….EVERYTHING! 

This is a jam-packed super show. First, we have Bassmaster videographer Jake Latendresse just back from covering of Takumi Ito’s 2nd Elite Series win. Then we are joined by Takumi himself with a first hand look at his many Japanese secrets. As if that’s not enough, finally we have an exclusive one-on-one sit down conversation with 19 year old fishing phenom Trey McKinney. The youngest Bassmaster Elite Series champion in history finally breaks his silence and shares his very raw and real thoughts on his Smith Lake disqualification.

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.

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.

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!

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 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 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.

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. 

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.

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 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!

Another double dose of goodness this week. First we have Jake’s Take - the ultimate behind-the-scenes Bassmaster segment with Bassmaster videographer Jake Latendresse. Just back from shooting John Garrett’s first Elite Series victory on the Harris Chain of Lakes. But that’s not all, then we are joined by trail blazing female angler Kristine Fischer. She has made an incredible impact in the competitive kayak fishing world but now she is making the move to fish the Bassmaster Opens. We talk about that transition, BassmastHER & so much more. 

This week we kick things off with Clunn Day! The legendary Rick Clunn returns to the show as part of his monthly podcast residency to celebrate his 50th season of Bassmaster Competition. When Rick Clunn speaks, we all learn. But that’s not all, Bassmaster Elite Series rookie & Bassmaster Open winner “The Maine Event” Tyler Williams joins the show hot off his first Bassmaster Classic and his first escalator ride! 

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. However now he has officially retired from competitive angling so what’s next? Kevin joins this week’s Mercer podcast & he addresses that as well as many other topics he has on his mind. 

Buckle up! It’s the Bassmaster Classic Mega Show. It’s episode 154 and we have Justin Hamner; the winner of the 54th Bassmaster Classic. Yep! We planned that from the start. Well, maybe not, but Justin Hamner did predict his win on this show two weeks ago. Hamner returns with some incredible behind-the-scenes stories. But first we have another edition of Jake’s Take with Bassmaster Videographer Jake Latendresse. This episode is like a good movie- we laugh, we cry and everything in between.

It’s Classic week and what a Bassmaster Classic show we have in store for you! The last two Classic champions join the show together. That’s right - both the 2023 Champion Jeff Gustafson and the 2022 Champion Jason Christie in one episode together. For a very real, raw and honest conversation with the last two anglers to win the Super Bowl of bass fishing!

This week’s Mega show has three guests with a combined 62 Classic appearances, 8 Classic wins, 9 AOYs and 241 Bassmaster Top 10’s. First, we are joined by Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Justin Hamner who recently caught the biggest bass ever caught on Bassmaster LIVE - an 11lb 7oz freak panda. Then it’s Clunn-Day, the legendary Mr. Rick Clunn stops by for his monthly visit with an eye-opening conversation that you won’t want to miss. But that’s not all! To finish out this Mega episode we have a quick visit with Kevin VanDam where he breaks the big news so many people have been waiting for. Check out KVD’s channel - https://youtube.com/@TheKevinVanDam?si=nzMhGgqT-BH2iyo5    

Just imagine being a 19 year old kid & winning your first Bassmaster Elite Series tournament in only your second event. Well, Trey McKinney did just that on Lake Fork this past weekend. He became the youngest Elite Series champion & took over the co-lead in Bassmaster Angler of the Year & Rookie of the Year race along with Ben Milliken. Now he joins the podcast to talk about it.  But that’s not all. Jake’s Take - the ultimate behind-the-scenes Bassmaster segment with Bassmaster videographer Jake Latendresse returns & we talk about everything that happened both on and off the water at the Toledo Bend & Lake Fork tournaments. Including never before revealed info from the back deck of Kyoya Fujita , Lee Livesay, Takumi Ito, Kyle Welcher & Ben Milliken’s boat. 

If Captain America was a pro angler his name might just be Davy Hite. Hite left a military career to chase his dream of pro angling and what a dream career it has been. Qualifying for 14 Bassmaster Classics, winning 2 Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles and 9 major tournament victories - including the 1998 Forrest Wood Cup and 1999 Bassmaster Classic. In 2017 after a Hall of Fame career Davy Hite retired from competition to join the Bassmaster broadcast team. This week, Davy joins the podcast and opens up like many have never seen. Sharing some never publicly told stories, secrets and tournament truths in an episode we call Red, White & True! 

Greg Hackney is a 6 time Bassmaster winner, an 18 time Classic qualifier and the 2014 Bassmaster Angler of the Year. “The Hack Attack” has won almost every title there is to win in professional bass fishing. This week he joins the podcast for a candid conversation that goes EVERYWHERE. Get ready because this one covers Sasquatch hunting, Mardi Gras, tournament tales & the future of forward facing sonar plus just about everything in between.

Matt Robertson is one of the most polarizing pro anglers in professional fishing. He is a 5- 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. His down home thinking and don’t-give-a-crap attitude has taken the fishing world by storm. He prides himself on always telling it like he sees it & this week’s Mercer podcast is no different there Ain’t No Telling” what will come out of his mouth next. 

This week’s show is a reunion of friends. First we have the return of Jake’s Take - the ultimate behind-the-scenes Bassmaster segment with Bassmaster videographer Jake Latendresse. Just back from shooting Scott Martin’s record breaking Lake Okeechobee victory, he breaks down what really happened on  and off the water.  As if that’s not enough, it’s also Clunn Day! The legendary Rick Clunn returns to the show to start his monthly podcast residency just weeks before kicking off his incredible 50th season of Bassmaster Competition. When Rick Clunn speaks, we all learn and this conversation will have you taking notes. 

Jason Christie has 10 FLW wins and 8 Bassmaster wins. He is a 10 time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier and the 2022  Bassmaster Classic Champion. Christie has accumulated an incredible 4 million dollars in winnings, making him one of the most feared names in professional bass fishing. But what scares him? That question, as well as many other awkwardly honest questions are answered on this week’s Mercer Podcast.

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 young mind of “The Prodigy” and how he gardens his goals into reality. 

In just four years Cory and Chris Johnston have amassed an incredibly impressive Bassmaster resume. Between them they have 37 top 10’s, 2 wins, 8 Classics fished and over 1.5 million in winnings making them some of the most successful pros on tour. But these two Canadian hockey-playing brothers are exactly what you would expect. Lots of chirping, trash-talking and behind-the-scenes tales are told on this week’s podcast. Including the time they learned that a lifetime ban is not forever…..or is it?

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not that bad. Gerald Swindle is a 2-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year and has qualified for 20 Bassmaster Classics. Beyond all of his accomplishments, he is loved by fishing fans worldwide because of his humour and his heart. Swindle's one-of-a-kind personality can have you howling with laughter or humbled by a hug. This week he joins the podcast and reminds us that regardless of all the click-chasing negativity, it’s not that bad!

Rick Clunn opens up about his 50 year pursuit of happiness. Sure he 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 77 years old he will kick off his 50th 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 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 first episode of 2024 Rick joins us for a very rare, very open and very candid conversation.

It’s the Mercer Podcast Festive Special with a 17 year old kid that just became the youngest angler to ever qualify for the Bassmaster Classic and the voice of Bassmaster TV, the one and only Tommy Sanders. His smooth delivery and honest charm make him everyone’s friend. Just like Boxing had Howard Cosell, football had John Madden, golf has Jim Nantz, BASS Fishing has Tommy Sanders! This week he sits down for a very rare on-camera conversation that ends with a SURPRISE!