MERCER

Randy Howell is a 16 time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier, a 4 time Bassmaster winner and the 2014 Bassmaster Classic Champion. 2025 marks his return to the Elite Series and Lake Hartwell marked his return to the top 10. This week he joins the podcast to talk about why he returned to B.A.S.S., what drives him and how he caught 'em at Lake Hartwell. But that's not all! We are then joined by Bassmaster videographer, Jake Latendresse with the ultimate Bassmaster behind-the-scenes show, Jake's Take. 

This past weekend two elite series champions had an incredible head-to-head battle on Lake Hartwell. It was a Sight Fishing Master, Drew Cook versus a Herring Master, Paul Marks. This unbelievable battle played out blow-for-blow on BassLive for the fishing world to see. Less than 24 hours after the tournament we sat down with both Drew Cook and Paul Marks to have a very real and raw conversation. The result is this week's Mercer Podcast.

Alabama pro angler Dustin Connell is a former Elite Series champion and Rookie of the Year. He has stacked up 5 MLF wins and has won 3 out of the last 4 Redcrest Championships. Clearly DC  is a force to be reckoned with no matter where he is fishing. Hot off his most recent Redcrest win, he joins the podcast to catch up and share his take on today's tournament anglers, the need to work towards the good and using the haters as nothing more than motivation or as he calls it “tackling fuel”. 

Stone Cold Kyle Welcher is a 3 time Classic Qualifier and a 2 time Angler of the Year. He joins the podcast hot off his record-breaking victory on the Pasquotank River where he shattered the all-time win margin record by winning his first Elite Series tournament by 45lb 7oz. But that's not all! We are then joined by bassmaster videographer, Jake Latendresse with the ultimate Bassmaster behind-the-scenes show, Jake's Take.

Carl Jocumsen is a bassmaster elite series champion and a three time classic qualifier. His incredible power of positivity and confidence fuelled him to chase a dream that was literally on the other side of the world. But none of that comes without work. Even the ultra optimistic Jocumsen will tell you being positive is nearly impossible. But that's why he chooses it.

Lee Livesay is a 4 time bassmaster winner and a 5 time classic qualifier with 2 bassmaster century belts.Lee is a Busch Light drinking, Whiskey Myers listening, bass catching bad ass from the red dirt of Lake Fork that prides himself on being a straight shooter that plays the game the right way. In his eyes, cheating is stealing!

Hot off his Historic Bassmaster Classic victory, Easton Fothergill joins the podcast. We discuss his incredible victory on Lake Ray Roberts. His inspiring story of overcoming horrific obstacles and a whole list of hot topics. But that's not all! Then we are joined by bassmaster videographer, Jake Latendresse with the ultimate Bassmaster behind-the-scenes show, Jake's Take. 

John Garrett is one of the brightest young stars in pro fishing. Not only is he a former College Bass Champion but he won an Elite Series title in only his 3rd event and finished his rookie season with a top 10 in Angler of the Year. Rookie luck? Not likely. This week he will compete in his second Bassmaster Classic and will do so as the current leader in Bassmaster Angler of the Year points. But first he stops by the podcast to talk about leading AOY, seeing a UFO, interrupting a drug deal and the fact that all pro anglers lie a little.

Seth Feider is a 2-time Bassmaster winner and the 2021 Bassmaster Angler-of-the-Year. Feider has built a legion of loyal fans that connect with his open, honest and down-to-earth attitude. This week he once again returns to the podcast and as always “the lama” tells it like he sees it. Right down to the fact that he believes if you study the rule book you are looking to cheat. But that's not all, we also have Jake's Take - the ultimate behind-the-scenes Bassmaster segment with Bassmaster videographer Jake Latendresse. Just back from shooting the Bassmaster Open on Kentucky Lake where he was on the boat with the newest Open champion, Yui Aoki.

Buckle up and get ready for a mega show this week. We have the first two Bassmaster Elite Series Champions of 2025. Both Lake Okeechobee Champion Brandon Palaniuk & St Johns River Champion Bill Lowen join the show to celebrate their incredible victories. Then BASS Live videographer Jake Latendresse gives his take on the first two events of the season with the ultimate Bassmaster behind-the-scenes segment, Jake's Take.

Ish Monroe is a 5-time Bassmaster winner and a 10-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier. Throughout his career, he has definitely lived up to the moniker, B.S.S. (Big Bass Specialist). However, Ish is not only a top competitor on the water. It seems he is a big wheel in the board room as well. His incredible work ethic and tireless drive has made him one of the best promoters in pro fishing. Don't believe me? Ask yourself, how many pro anglers owned a Ferrari? Well, Ish did and he got it from fishing!

Bill Dance has won 7 Bassmaster events, he is a 3 time Bassmaster Angler of the Year and he even has the honour of catching the first bass ever caught in a Bassmaster tournament! The crazy part is, he did all that before he was 40 years old. At 39 years old Bill Dance retired from competition and put his full time focus into TV. Since then, he has built an Outdoors empire, creating and producing, arguably, the most successful fishing shows in history. He is a member of every fishing Hall of Fame imaginable. He has a bridge named after him, he has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Tennessee and Luke Bryan has even wrote a hit song about him. His impact on fishing will be felt for generations. All of this was fuelled by a topwater fish he caught on a Jitterbug. Bill Dance went from a Jitterbug to a fishing industry Juggernaut! He joins the 200th episode of Mercer to talk about all that and so much more.

Cooper Gallant is a 3 time Bassmaster Classic qualifier, a Bassmaster Open winner, a YouTuber and a certified fishing addict. Some people choose pro angling and pro angling chooses some people. Coop is definitely the later. Without fishing he actually claims to go into withdrawal. He is obsessed with the sport and finally hoisting an Elite Series trophy. This week he joins the podcast and opens up about the topic that endlessly occupies his mind. Well at least 70% of the time. 

Is Jason Christie really one of the most feared men in bass fishing? Not by fans of the sport but if you have to compete against him that's a whole different story. Christie has 18 tour level wins, he has fished in 10 Bassmaster Classics and he won the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing in 2022. Not only is that resume scary, it gets even more intimidating when you realize he is going into the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series maybe even more motivated and driven than ever before. But first, he stops by this week's Mercer Podcast to talk about all that and so much more.

I get it. The last thing the world needs is another podcast but it needs this one. 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. Kyle Vandever is an outdoor videographer & producer that not only shoots the incredible BMP behind-the-scenes series but he is a world traveler. Vandy has literally walked with Silverback gorillas & swam with Humpback Whales. Together they are two of the most positive people on this planet. No matter what they are doing it's obvious that they both believe in squeezing every ounce of joy out of life. This week they join the podcast to talk about life, struggles, success & their brand new podcast.

I get it. The last thing the world needs is another podcast but it needs this one. 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. Kyle Vandever is an outdoor videographer & producer that not only shoots the incredible BMP behind-the-scenes series but he is a world traveler. Vandy has literally walked with Silverback gorillas & swam with Humpback Whales. Together they are two of the most positive people on this planet. No matter what they are doing it's obvious that they both believe in squeezing every ounce of joy out of life. This week they join the podcast to talk about life, struggles, success & their brand new podcast.

Denny Brauer has won 17 Bassmaster tournaments, 2 Angler of the Year titles and he is the 1998 Bassmaster Classic Champion. He was the first angler ever featured on the Wheeties Box, he made two appearances on the David Letterman Show and he actually taught Ozzy Osborne how to cast! Although this Bass Fishing Hall of Famer has been away from tour level competition for over a decade, make no mistakes - Denny Brauer Can Still Kick Your bASS! He joins this week's podcast to talk about all that and so much more.

Denny Brauer has won 17 Bassmaster tournaments, 2 Angler of the Year titles and he is the 1998 Bassmaster Classic Champion. He was the first angler ever featured on the Wheeties Box, he made two appearances on the David Letterman Show and he actually taught Ozzy Osborne how to cast! Although this Bass Fishing Hall of Famer has been away from tour level competition for over a decade, make no mistakes - Denny Brauer Can Still Kick Your bASS! He joins this week's podcast to talk about all that and so much more.

Matt Herren is a 10-time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier, a 5-time FLW Cup qualifier and a former TTBC Champion. But over the last 2 years he has quickly become one of the loudest voices against FFS. However, as this podcast will reveal, Matt has become a conflicted man with a love hate relationship with the newest technology. This week he joins the podcast to discuss his new positive outlook in 2025 and he shares his raw and honest opinion on just about everything else!

Matt Herren is a 10-time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier, a 5-time FLW Cup qualifier and a former TTBC Champion. But over the last 2 years he has quickly become one of the loudest voices against FFS. However, as this podcast will reveal, Matt has become a conflicted man with a love hate relationship with the newest technology. This week he joins the podcast to discuss his new positive outlook in 2025 and he shares his raw and honest opinion on just about everything else!

Buckle up humpers because this week is another double dose of goodness. First we kick things off with the reigning and defending Bassmaster Classic Champion Justin Hamner. Then we are joined by 30 year industry veteran Rob Newell. Whether it's been as a writer, a reporter or a photographer for over 3 decades Newell has had a front row seat to some of the most incredible moments in professional fishing. This week he joins the podcast to talk about his new book Egos, Logos & Fishing Prose. This must read tell-all memoir truly takes you behind the curtain as Rob reveals what he feels are the good, the bad and the ugly parts of pro fishing from his view point.

Buckle up humpers because this week is another double dose of goodness. First we kick things off with the reigning and defending Bassmaster Classic Champion Justin Hamner. Then we are joined by 30 year industry veteran Rob Newell. Whether it's been as a writer, a reporter or a photographer for over 3 decades Newell has had a front row seat to some of the most incredible moments in professional fishing. This week he joins the podcast to talk about his new book Egos, Logos & Fishing Prose. This must read tell-all memoir truly takes you behind the curtain as Rob reveals what he feels are the good, the bad and the ugly parts of pro fishing from his view point.

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 and a FLW Angler of the Year title. All of that adds up to over 7 million in earnings and countless records. However, competitive angling is in his rearview mirror and now KVD is focused on the transition from tournaments to television with the launch of his highly anticipated show The VanDam Experience. But first he joins the podcast to talk about all that and so much more.

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 and a FLW Angler of the Year title. All of that adds up to over 7 million in earnings and countless records. However, competitive angling is in his rearview mirror and now KVD is focused on the transition from tournaments to television with the launch of his highly anticipated show The VanDam Experience. But first he joins the podcast to talk about all that and so much more.

It's the Mercer Podcast Festive Special and it's a good one! What Pat Summerall and John Madden were to Football, Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona are to Professional Bass Fishing. Both are individually members of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. But together they have a unique chemistry and an engaging connection that not only educates but it entertains. This week T & Z join the podcast and reunite for a candid conversation and a couple of very JUICY announcements that will make every Bassmaster fan very HAPPY!!! #TnZ

Buckle up! This one gets extra SPICY! 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 returns to the podcast and shares some of the craziest real life tournament stories ever told on this show.

Stone Cold Kyle Welcher is a three-time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier and the 2023 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. This week he joins the podcast to have a very open, honest and sometimes awkward conversation where we learn he would rather eat a snake than a tomato. 

Jonathan VanDam is a 2 time Bassmaster winner and a 2 time Classic Qualifier. After several years competing on the Bass Pro Tour, JVD wants back to B.A.S.S. In 2025 he will voluntarily step away from MLF and he will roll the dice in the Bassmaster Opens with hopes of once again qualifying for the Elite Series. But first he joins the podcast to talk about his battle to get back to B.A.S.S. and so much more.

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.

Mike McKinnis and Skeet Reese on MERCER-180

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.