MERCER-The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast

MERCER
  • 4.8 (17)
  • WILDERNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A true insiders, behind-the-scenes look at the sport of pro fishing . Hosted by Dave Mercer, Bassmaster Emcee and Facts of Fishing host along with his limitless list of pro fishing friends and their awkwardly honest take on a fishing podcast.

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 250: Two Elite Series Champions Get Real on MERCER-250

    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. 🎙️🔥

    2h 14m

  2. FEB 11

    Who Is Sam Sobi...Really? on MERCER-249

    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!

    2h 27m

  3. FEB 4

    Mike Iaconelli: The Evolution of an Angling Icon on MERCER-248

    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!

    1h 33m

  4. JAN 28

    Matty Wong: “That Dude Cursed Me Out” — Getting Cut, On-the-Water Fights & What’s Next on MERCER - 247

    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.

    1h 43m

  5. JAN 21

    Mark Zona Unfliltered-No Notes, No Plan, No Apologies on MERCER-246

    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 matters This is a real conversation with one of the most recognizable voices in the game. This is Zona Unfiltered, No Notes, No Plan & No Apologies

    1h 23m

  6. JAN 14

    Brandon Palaniuk - The Prodigy Blueprint on MERCER-245

    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.

    1h 32m

  7. JAN 7

    Gerald Swindle-Pain, Punchlines and the Truth About Getting Older on Tour on MERCER-244

    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.

    1h 32m

  8. 12/17/2025

    Jason Christie Hates Losing on MERCER-243

    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 pros This 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.

    1h 48m
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4.8
out of 5
17 Ratings

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A true insiders, behind-the-scenes look at the sport of pro fishing . Hosted by Dave Mercer, Bassmaster Emcee and Facts of Fishing host along with his limitless list of pro fishing friends and their awkwardly honest take on a fishing podcast.

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