Randy Blaukat has qualified for 8 Bassmaster Classics and 9 FLW Cups but he may have more people watching him today than he ever did at the height of his tournament career. Some take his word as gospel, others dismiss it as nothing more than gossip and click chasing. But Randy Blaukat and his polarizing opinions has found himself on the right side of relevancy more than a decade after his last national tournament victory. Some see him as a fearless crusader, trying to single-handedly ban forward-facing sonar - others say his thoughts are outdated and antiquated. But one thing is for sure. EVERYONE has an opinion about Randy Blaukat. This week he joins the podcast and we talk about or debate, just about EVERYTHING.  Humpers get your 🍿ready. This is a good one!

Jordon Lee is a fishing phenom that has succeeded at every level of competition. He is a former Bassmaster College Bass Champion, a two time Bassmaster Classic Champion, with multiple MLF wins including an Angler of the Year title. He has won over 2 million dollars and now this young legend has decided to return to the Bassmaster Elite Series. But before that, he joins this week’s podcast to talk about all that and so, so much more.

Jacob Foutz is a former Bassmaster College Bass Champion, a Bassmaster Classic Qualifier & a Bassmaster Elite Series Pro. After two years on the Elite’s Foutz has had 4 top Tens including two back-to-back top Tens at the tail end of 2022 that literally saved his Elite career.  From the outside it looks like he is living his childhood dream but that dream has felt like a nightmare at times when it comes to sponsor support. He is a quiet, unassuming guy, that has focused on fishing while widely ignored social media and marketing - up until now. Last week that all changed when he took to YouTube and told his truth. With his back against the wall he opened up about how he see’s his situation. Over 80,000 views later he has not only found a way to get noticed but he has left many folks debating whether his thoughts are Real Talk or Ridiculous? 

He is an eight time Bassmaster Classic qualifier and she is the podcast host some folks fear the most. Together they host The Bilge, one of the fastest growing fishing podcasts in the world.  Chris and Trait Zaldain join this week’s podcast and as always they tell it like they see it with their unapologetically honest approach to podcasting. 

Lee Livesay is a 4 time bassmaster winner, 4 time classic qualifier with 2 bassmaster century belts. But before all of that he was one of the guys. This week we are joined by the Lake Fork legend and as always, he tells it like he sees it. He is loving life as a pro angler but he will remind you it’s not all popcorn, piñata’s & princesses in pro fishing. 

Ben Milliken is one of the biggest YouTube anglers in the game. But that was not enough for him. He wanted more-he wanted to chase his childhood dream of fishing the Bassmaster Elite Series. In one year he did what many people predicted was impossible. Not only did he win a Bassmaster Open and qualify for the Bassmaster Classic but he qualified for the Bassmaster Elite Series. This week Ben joins the podcast to talk about all of that and so much more. 

This week's guest is a 18-time FLW Cup Qualifier, a 6-time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier, a 4-time Angler of the Year with over $3 million dollars in winnings, Clark Wendlandt joins me this week from somewhere deep in the heart of Texas.

Qualifier. This week he takes some time away from hunting to join the podcast. We chat about his early years traveling with Bassmaster Classic Champion Woo Daves, what drives him, what he would like to see changed in the tournament world and ultimately, his thoughts on the current fishing world going bananas.

The always open and always honest Pat Schlapper once again returns to the show. Hot off of qualifying for his 3rd Bassmaster Classic, the former Bass Nation National Champion opens up about everything and we mean EVERYTHING. Get your popcorn ready because Pat always tells it like he sees it and no topic is off limits this week. Warning - this episode is both awkward and honest. 

This week we have another double dose of goodness. First we are joined by Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Bryant Smith hot off setting the Bassmaster record for the biggest single day smallmouth bass limit in history (29lbs 5 ounces). Then we have 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 happened at the Bassmaster Open at Lake of the Ozarks.

This week we once again double down with two incredible guests. First, we are joined by two-time Bassmaster winner and three-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier Bryan New, with a very open and honest look back on his toughest Elite Series season ever. Then it’s time for 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 at the Watts Bar Bassmaster Open that was just won by Tyler Williams.

This week we once again have a double dose of goodness. First, former Bass Nation National Champion Matty Wong joins the show hot off an amazing northern swing that literally saved his Bassmaster Elite Series career. Then, Bassmaster Opens EQ angler Logan Parks joins the show on MERCER-127.

Stone Cold Kyle Welcher just won one of the most coveted titles in pro fishing. He is the 2023 Progressive 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. We can’t thank him enough for making this podcast his first stop only days after becoming the newest Bassmaster Angler of the Year.

This week we have a double dose of goodness. The newest Bassmaster Elite Series Champion Patrick Walters, hot off setting the record for the biggest winning weight of smallmouth bass joins the show and of course we have 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 Bassmaster Elite Series on Lake Champlain and the St Lawrence River.

Kevin VanDam is the most dominant professional angler in the history of the sport. For over 30 years he has been on the top of every single aspect of the Sportfishing, both on the water and off - KVD has simply set the standard. After recently retiring from tournament competition Kevin joins this week’s podcast to remind us all that he is “far from done”.

He is less than 24 hours away from kicking off the final two events of the 2023 Elite Series where he has a one point lead in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year race. Not bad for a guy that says he sucks at practice. What’s going though his mind as he attempts to seal the deal on one of the most coveted trophies in professional fishing. Well, we ask him that and so, so much more on this week’s podcast.

He grew up in Towamba, Australia - a part of the world that does not even have bass.  So to say Carl Jocumsen is an underdog is an understatement. But what he lacks in experience, he replaces with heart, thus his motto, 'Fear My Heart'.  This week, the only Australian to ever win a Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament, Carl Jocumsen joins the podcast in a very open, raw and honest conversation about the agony of angling along the way. 

This week we double down on great guests. Just back from the 7th stop on the 2023 Bassmaster Elite Series on Lake St. Clair 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 Lake St. Clair. But that’s not all - we are also joined by the St. Clair Champion himself! Two-time Bassmaster Elite Series Champion and Dakota Lithium Rookie of the Year leader, Joey Cifuentes.

Mark Zona is the the colourful off-the-wall host of Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show, Bassmaster TV and BassLIVE. This week he once again returns to the podcast but this time Z agrees to talk about everything going on recently in the crazy world of competitive bass fishing and so, so much more.

There are a lot of ways to make a living in sport fishing and Jay Siemens just may have done most of them. He started as a 16 year old fishing guide, turned photographer, videographer, YouTuber, influencer, lodge owner, fishing batter company co-owner, and ultimately, a very successful YouTuber and content creator. So successful in-fact that outside of his own channel (@JaySiemens) he actually hosts and produces fishing content for Steve Rinella’s ultra-popular MeatEater brand. Above all the success, Jay stays grounded in the fact that he is simply Cataloging Memories of a life well lived. This week he joins the podcast to talk about all that and so much more.

Darold Gleason is a Bassmaster Open winner, a Classic Qualifier and a full-time Bassmaster Elite Series Pro. But it was not always that way. After spending 7 years as a school teacher, he decided to leave the security of that job behind, to chase his dreams and start living life because as he says “you can’t buy more time”. Gleason joins this week’s show with a very revealing & honest conversation about the highs and lows of pro fishing and life.

Cooper Gallant came into the 2023 Bassmaster Elite Series as a highly hyped rookie, with a head full of confidence, hot off his first Bassmaster Open win. Now with just three events to go and all in his wheelhouse, Coop has once again put himself in contention to qualify for another Bassmaster Classic. But what’s it REALLY like to be an Elite Series rookie? This week he joins the Mercer podcast to share his thoughts on the season so far and so, so much more. 

Sure Gerald Swindle is a 2 time Bassmaster Angler of the Year and a walking weigh-in highlight reel. But he is also a starch defender of the rules and his way of playing the game. This week, he once again joins the podcast to talk about the recently acceptable grey area in rules, his trip to Jamaica and his belief in pro anglers defending the shield that they have earned the right to wear.

Stone Cold Kyle Welcher is a two-time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier and the current leader in Bassmaster Angler of the Year points. 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 and honest conversation about angling and so, so much more.

This week we are joined by two of the most naturally gifted bass anglers on the planet. John Cox and Keith Carson are both Bassmaster Classic qualifiers. However, they did not start on top. These two childhood friends have been turning heads at tournaments ever since they could legally tow their janky Jon Boat to the ramp. Forged from 15 years of skipping school and faking sick days to chase bass, their friendship has weathered the highs and lows of tournament fishing. This week they join the podcast to talk about all that and so, so much more.  

This week we have a double dose of goodness. The newest Bassmaster Elite Series Champion Brock Mosley joins the show and of course. we have 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 Sabine River Bassmaster Elite Series tournament in Orange, Texas.

He is an Elite Series rookie but he is already a Bassmaster Elite Series Champion. It did not take “The Cowboy” Joey Cifuentes long to rope his first Elite title winning the second tournament he fished. Everyone knows that stuff but did you know Joey has been branded twice, rode a bull and once grew up dreaming of being a pro in another sport? This week Joey Cifuentes joins the podcast and we learn all that and so, so much more. 

Seth Feider is truly one of the biggest names in sport fishing. Not only is he a 2-time Bassmaster winner, the 2021 Bassmaster Angler of the Year and a 6-time Classic Qualifier but he has built a legion of loyal fans. Some call him the the Llama, some call him the Amazing FeiderMan, but his incredible fans connect with his open, honest and down-to-earth attitude. Seth Feider joins this week's podcast and opens up about life, his dreams and is hatred of cheaters.

Just back from the 5th stop on the 2023 Bassmaster Elite Series at Lay Lake 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 Lay Lake Bassmaster Elite Series tournament in Alabama.

Shane Lehew is not just the Baby Shark- he is also a 4 time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier, a 4 time Forest Wood Cup Qualifier, a member of the Bassmaster Century Club and a former Junior World Champion. This week, the often quiet but always likeable Bassmaster Elite Series Pro joins the podcast and opens up about his past, the present and the challenge of being a naturally quiet person in this super-social time in pro angling on MERCER-109.

Just back from the third and fourth stop on the 2023 Bassmaster Elite Series 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 Murray and Santee Cooper Lakes Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments in South Carolina.

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 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 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.

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.

Welcome to THE CULL. A weekly sportfishing debate show hosted by Bassmaster Emcee Dave Mercer & Matt Pangrac from Bass Talk Live.   This week’s question- New Knots Are Overrated - Keep or Cull?

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. 

Welcome to THE CULL. A weekly sportfishing debate show hosted by Bassmaster Emcee Dave Mercer & Matt Pangrac from Bass Talk Live.   This week’s question- There Should Be More Than 9 Elite Series Events Per Season - Keep or Cull?

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.

Welcome to THE CULL. A weekly sport fishing debate show hosted by Bassmaster Emcee Dave Mercer & Matt Pangrac from Bass Talk Live.   This week’s question- Spinning Rods Are Better For Jerkbaits, Keep or Cull?

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.   

Welcome to THE CULL. A weekly sportfishing debate show hosted by Bassmaster Emcee Dave Mercer & Matt Pangrac from Bass Talk Live.   This week’s question- Forward Facing Sonar Has Eliminated Home Field Advantage - Keep or Cull?

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.

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.

Welcome to THE CULL. A weekly Sportfishing debate show hosted by Bassmaster Emcee Dave Mercer and Matt Pangrac from Bass Talk Live. This week's question, all baits used in tournaments should be commercially available. Keep or Cull?

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.

Welcome to THE CULL. A weekly Sportfishing debate show hosted by Bassmaster Emcee Dave Mercer and Matt Pangrac from Bass Talk Live. This week's question, there should be unlimited horsepower allowed on Bassboats in tournaments. Keep or Cull?

Bradley Hallman is a two-time FLW Tour winner and a two-time Elite Series qualifier with a rapidly growing YouTube following. But it has not always been this way. At one point in his life, Bradley walked away from the Bassmaster Elite Series believing that tournament fishing had stole his soul. But that was then, this is now. A rejuvenated and reenergized Hallman is just a few short hours away from kicking off his second stint on the Bassmaster Elite Series. But first he joins the podcast to talk about his past & the more prepared person it has made him today.