MERCER-The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast

Two champions on one show, is it even possible? Well, hell ya! This is the Mercer Podcast!

In episode #263 Dave sits down with two of the hottest anglers in professional bass fishing-the two most recent Bassmaster Elite Series champions and talk winning stories, real talk, and some stuff nobody expected to talk about.

Fresh off of his win at Lake Murray, Surge Squad member Paul Marks joins the show to break down the victory, the momentum, and what life is like away from the tour. Including a surprise visit from fellow Surge Squader Andrew Loberg.

Then, back-to-back Bassmaster Angler of the Year Chris Johnston joins the show hot off of his Santee Cooper victory to talk confidence, consistency, and what it really takes to stay at the top of the sport.

Two winners. Two completely different journeys. One Mercer podcast.

What happens when a guy sneaks into the Bassmaster Classic… and suddenly becomes one of the most talked-about people at the event ?

In this absolutely wild episode, internet superstar Buddy Jaron joins Mercer to tell the unbelievable behind-the-scenes story of how he infiltrated the Bassmaster Classic and somehow became the legendary “Boat 26.” From awkward encounters and security close calls to the madness that unfolded once anglers and fans realized who he was, Buddy Jaron breaks down every hilarious detail from inside the biggest event in fishing.

But that’s just the beginning…

Jaron also dives deep into the wonderfully chaotic world inside his mind with stories, opinions, adventures, and the kind of unpredictable moments that only Buddy Jaron can deliver.

Then former Bassmaster winner, ABC’s The Bachelor alum, returns with Byron’s Bunker, Byron Velvick joins the show and regales us with stories from his journey through professional fishing. From sleeping in a legendary Astro Van just for a shot at competing in the big leagues… to the sacrifices, struggles, and unforgettable moments that shaped his career — Byron proves why he’s one of the most unique personalities the sport has ever seen.

This episode is funny, weird, inspiring, completely unfiltered… and somehow only gets crazier as it goes.

If you love fishing, comedy, behind-the-scenes stories, and pure chaos… this one is mandatory listening.

Some anglers want attention… 2 time Bassmaster Elite champion Takumi Ito wants some stuff to stay secret.

In this episode of the Mercer Podcast, Takumi Ito opens up like never before about the baits he refuses to show anyone, the strategy behind keeping secrets at the highest level, and why some techniques are better left unseen.

But this conversation goes way deeper than tackle…

Takumi talks about:

• The hidden baits and patterns he protects from the fishing world

• How he has evolved as an angler since coming to America

• Which Bassmaster Elite angler is the most intimidating to compete against

• Top Golf = Good Times

• What his dream retirement actually looks like

• And the mindset it takes to survive at the top level of professional fishing

From serious strategy to completely unexpected moments, this is Takumi Ito unfiltered — funny, honest, and full of insight you normally never hear.

If you love bass fishing, behind-the-scenes tour talk, secret baits, and real conversations with the biggest names in the sport… this episode is for you.

What do pro anglers really say when the cameras are off?

In this episode, 4-time Bassmaster champion Lee Livesay joins Mercer for a completely unfiltered conversation—no notes, no prep, and nothing off limits.

From the rules shaping today’s tournaments to the rise of AI in fishing, Livesay opens up about where the sport is headed… and what’s really being said behind the scenes.

We get into:

   •   The real conversations happening behind the scenes

   •   How rules & technology are changing the game

   •   The truth about fishing Lake Fork and the “Fork Factor”

   •   The topics every angler wants to talk about—but usually won’t

   •   And why Livesay continues to perform at the highest level

Lee has always called it like he sees it—and this episode is no different: honest, raw, and straight up.

If you love real talk, big bass, and the truth about where fishing is going… this one’s for you.

What happens in the moments right after you win?

In this episode of the Mercer Podcast, we sit down with three champions — Jacob Foutz, Drew Benton & Mike Iaconelli — immediately following their most recent victories.

No scripts. No time to think. Just raw emotion, real reactions, and the truth that fans rarely get to see.

From adrenaline highs to honest reflections, this is what winning actually feels like right after a victory.

If you’ve ever wondered what goes through a champion’s mind in those first moments… this is it. Foutz from the boat ramp at the Arkansas River Bassmaster Elite Series plus Benton & Ike moments after winning the inaugural Tuesday Night Live on Table Rock Lake.

Some of this...wasn't supposed to be said.

Bassmaster videographer Jake Latendresse is back with another Jake's Take - and this time, he's pulling back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes at the highest level of professional fishing.

The moments you don't see on TV and the reactions anglers hope never get caught.

Jake is around it all - the wins, the pressure, the awkward moments...and everything in between.

And now, he's breaking down his Top 5 Things Pro Anglers Don't Want You Seeing.

Some are hilarious.

Some are uncomfortable.

And a few...might surprise you.

What happens when some of the best anglers on the planet ditch the script… and go back to where it all started?

In this GGGiant episode of the Mercer Podcast, we’ve got an absolute all-star lineup:

Mark Zona, Jason Christie, Mike Iaconelli, Chris Johnston, Drew Benton, Kyle Welcher, Drew Cook, Bryan New & Kyle Patrick

And yeah… they’re definitely up to something.

We break down “Tuesday Night Live” — a brand new, no-BS, throwback tournament where these Elite pros split into 2-man teams and battle it out in a 3-hour shootout inspired by the old-school weeknight derbies they grew up on.

No fluff. No filters. Just:

• Big bites

• Fast decisions

• Real pressure

• And a whole lot of friendly trash talk

This is fishing stripped down to its roots — where instincts take over, egos get tested, and anything can happen in 3 hours.

The best part is you can catch it all LIVE on April 21st, as Tuesday Night Live goes down in real time on Bassmaster.com, YouTube & Roku— with unfiltered & often unhinged play-by-play from Mark Zona and Dave Mercer. You do NOT want to miss this.

But first they all join the podcast to met their partners & make predictions in a free for all of fishing smack talk & story telling.

Fresh off his 9th Bassmaster win, Jason Christie sits down for one of his most honest conversations yet.

This isn’t just about another trophy.

Christie opens up about how bad breaks can turn into winning moments, the mindset it takes to survive the grind, and why sometimes the worst days on the water lead to the biggest victories.

We also dive into what it really feels like when Championship Sunday hits—and why Christie has become one of the most dangerous closers in professional fishing.

Plus… the stuff anglers don’t always admit:

   •   The superstitions he actually believes in

   •   The role of confidence when everything is on the line

   •   The mental switch that separates contenders from champions

   •   And the grey area of competition… including anglers pushing boundaries on “unwritten rules”—like following or spying on the live release boat.

No fluff. No filter. Just Jason Christie being brutally honest about winning, losing, and everything in between.

The questions weren’t done… so neither is he.

Bassmaster Classic Champion Dylan Nutt returns to the Mercer Podcast — and this time, nothing is off limits. More answers, more truth, and the follow-up everyone’s been waiting for.

Then it gets CRAZY…

For the first time ever, we go inside Berkley Labs for a world exclusive. Scientist Mark Sexton and product manager Nathan Ragsdale break down exactly what the Berkley Lab Series is… and how it played a role in winning the Bassmaster Classic.

And then… a moment you won’t forget.

4-time Classic Champion Rick Clunn delivers one of the most honest, raw, and moving conversations we’ve ever had on this show.

We close it out with Jake’s Take — the ultimate behind-the-scenes look at Bassmaster with videographer Jake Latendresse, who’s been in the boat for the moments you didn’t see.

This one has EVERYTHING — champions, secrets, science, and stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

Dylan Nutt is fresh off his historic Bassmaster Classic win—and for the first time, he’s finally revealing the bait that made it all happen.

In this exclusive conversation, Dylan breaks down the exact setup, how he used it, and why it was the difference-maker when the pressure was at its highest. No fluff. No holding back.

We also dive into:

• The moment he predicted winning the Classic

• Outworking the field

• Hiding from the media

• On the water gamesmanship no one saw behind the scenes

This is the real story behind the win—and the bait everyone’s been trying to figure out.