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.