MERCER-The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast

What the HELL happened to John Cox in 2026?!

One of the happiest guys in professional bass fishing just had a season where absolutely NOTHING seemed to go right. And somehow, he’s still smiling… sort of.

John Cox joins The Mercer Podcast to break down his disastrous 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series season. What went wrong? What went REALLY wrong? And how does a guy who always seems to find fish suddenly find himself in a season he’d rather forget?

But this episode goes WAY beyond tournament fishing.

We dive into the five most important senses an angler can have, John’s uncanny ability to find sneaky, out-of-the-way fishing hotspots that everyone else overlooks, and somehow end up discussing an absolutely insane party at his rental house.

Bad fishing, questionable decisions, unexpected stories, and a whole lot of laughs.

2026 might not have been John Cox’s year… but it sure made for one hell of a podcast.

Welcome to The Mercer. The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast.

Kyle Welcher doesn’t think like everyone else. And he’s perfectly fine with that.

One of the most unique minds in professional bass fishing returns to The Mercer Podcast for a conversation that goes way beyond catching fish.

From controversial decisions and voting within the Bassmaster Elite Series to bass studies, being impossible to offend, and why the truth usually lies somewhere between two opposing opinions, Kyle isn’t afraid to challenge conventional thinking.

We also dive into the obsession required to become the best at anything, why going ALL IN is the only way to truly succeed, and what happens when you refuse to simply follow the crowd.

Is Kyle Welcher an outlier? Or is he just willing to think for himself? One thing’s for sure… this conversation will make you think.

Welcome to The Mercer Podcast.

8 time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier Seth Feider has never been accused of having a filter… and he’s sure as hell not about to start now!

One of the most popular personalities in professional bass fishing is back on The Mercer Podcast, and absolutely nothing is sugarcoated.

Brutally honest, hilariously unpredictable, and completely unfiltered, Seth says what he thinks, whether you want to hear it or not.

From life on the Bassmaster Elite Series to the realities of professional fishing and everything in between, this is Seth Feider doing what Seth Feider does best — being unapologetically himself.

No script. No filter. No B.S.

Just Seth Feider being Seth Feider.

Welcome to another awkwardly honest episode of The Mercer Podcast!

The next generation of professional bass fishing is coming fast… and the old guard might not be ready for what’s next!

Bassmaster Elite Series pro Logan Parks joins The Mercer Podcast for a wildly entertaining conversation about the changing face of professional fishing, the rise of young anglers, and why this new generation is getting so good, so fast.

But there’s a whole lot more to Logan Parks than catching bass!

From an unbelievable race against time that involved jumping on a private jet to get home from a tournament for the birth of his son, to the madness behind his NSANE EXPERIENCE tournament, Logan has some incredible stories to tell.

We also get his unfiltered reaction to a recent viral video that’s been making waves in the fishing world.

And just when Logan thinks he’s survived the tough questions, we turn his own generation’s technology against him! We let Artificial Intelligence take over the interview, forcing Logan to answer a series of awkward, uncomfortable, and downright ridiculous questions.

Old school vs. new school. Experience vs. technology. And a whole lot of awkward honesty.

Is the next generation really better, or are they just playing a completely different game?

One thing’s for sure… the future of bass fishing is changing, and Logan Parks is right in the middle of it & so are we on this week’s Mercer Podcast.

Matt Robertson is back… and apparently nobody told him this was a family show.

One of the most entertaining and unfiltered personalities in professional bass fishing joins this week’s Mercer Podcast—and absolutely nothing is off limits.

Fishing, life on tour, the state of professional bass fishing, bad decisions, strong opinions, ridiculous stories and enough F-bombs to put our BLEEP button into early retirement.

But underneath all the laughs and chaos, Matt also opens up about the man behind the personality, what this crazy career means to him and a side of Matt Robertson that fishing fans don’t always get to see.

No script. No filter. Very little adult supervision.

It’s Matt Robertson being Matt Robertson.

And yes… we probably should’ve ordered a backup BLEEP button.

The Forward-Facing Sonar debate has been driven by strong opinions. But now, for the first time, we have a full season of results to test them against.

A year ago, the always opinionated Todd Castledine joined the show and made some bold predictions about what would happen when the Bassmaster Elite Series split its schedule between FFS and non-FFS events.

Now the 2026 season is over—and Todd is back to find out whether those predictions held up.

Did the anglers who dominated with Forward-Facing Sonar stay on top without it? Did the non-FFS events expose a different group of elite competitors? And did banning FFS actually change the competitive landscape, or did the same names keep finding a way to win?

With five events allowing FFS and four events without it, we finally have enough data to move beyond speculation.

This isn’t about what might happen. It’s about what actually happened—and whether Todd saw it coming.

The season is over.

The predictions have been made. Now it’s time to see who was right.

Welcome to The Mercer Podcast & the Final Forward Facing Sonar Debate.

Three Bassmaster winners. Three very different journeys. And one question they ALL have to answer: What’s the biggest lie in professional fishing?

This week’s Mercer Podcast is absolutely a JAM-PACKED, TRIPLE BANGER with three of the hottest names coming off huge moments in their careers.

Bryan Schmitt — Lake Champlain Bassmaster Elite Series Champion

Evan Kung — Thousand Islands Bassmaster Elite Series Champion

Caleb Hudson — 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie of the Year

Three separate conversations. Three different perspectives on winning, pressure, life on the Elite Series and what it really takes to succeed at the highest level of professional bass fishing.

But there’s one question they all get asked…

What is the BIGGEST LIE in pro fishing?

The answers might surprise you.

We also dig into the moments that changed their seasons, the pressure that comes with chasing a Bassmaster trophy, what people on the outside misunderstand about tournament fishing, and plenty of the awkwardly honest stuff you’ve come to expect from the MERCER Podcast.

Three winners. One packed episode.

Trey McKinney is officially the Bassmaster Angler of the Year — but there’s a whole lot that happened inside his boat that you didn’t get to see.

Bassmaster cameraman Jake Latendresse spent the biggest moments of Trey’s AOY run on the back deck, giving him a front-row seat to EVERYTHING.

On this episode of Jake’s Take, Jake takes us inside Trey McKinney’s boat to talk about the nerves when everything was on the line, the massive waves, Trey’s locked-in confidence and the subtle bait adjustments that helped make the difference.

We also tackle the bigger question: after what Trey has accomplished at such a young age, how does he actually stack up against the all-time greats of professional bass fishing?

The cameras captured the action.

Jake saw EVERYTHING else!

Less than 24 hours after making history, Trey McKinney sits down at a picnic table with Mercer to talk about becoming the youngest Angler of the Year in Bassmaster history.

After finishing second in the AOY race in each of the last two seasons, Trey finally got it done. But what does it actually feel like when the thing you’ve chased, dreamed about and come painfully close to finally becomes reality?

With barely any time to process what just happened, Trey talks about the pressure of the final event, the emotions of Championship Sunday, the heartbreak of the last two years and what it means to finally be able to call himself Bassmaster Angler of the Year.

No studio. No time to prepare the perfect answers. Just a picnic table and a brand-new Angler of the Year talking about the biggest moment of his young career.

Trey McKinney made history. Less than 24 hours later, we talked about all of it.

The Bassmaster Elite Series season has come down to this — and there’s a LOT on the line.This week, Jake Latendresse is back for another Jake’s Take, and the timing couldn’t be better. We dig into some of the rumours making their way around about Bassmaster, what we’re hearing behind the scenes, and everything that is at stake heading into the final Elite Series tournament of the season on the St Lawrence River. But the biggest story is the Bassmaster Angler of the Year race. Three anglers. One tournament. And a battle that is simply too close to call.Trey McKinney, Drew Cook & Cory Johnston. Who handles the pressure? Who makes the right decisions? And who walks away as the 2026 Bassmaster Angler of the Year?The rumours are flying, the pressure is building, and the race is on. It’s all on this week’s Mercer Podcast.

Forward-facing sonar is right up there with politics and religion as a topic you’re probably better off not bringing up… so naturally, we’re talking about it.

This week on the MERCER Podcast, three different pro anglers with three very different perspectives weigh in on one of the biggest questions in professional bass fishing:

Did Bassmaster’s split forward-facing sonar schedule actually work?

Greg Hackney, Mike Iaconelli and Kyle Patrick give their opinions on how the season played out, what worked, what didn’t, and whether splitting the schedule between events with and without forward-facing sonar accomplished what Bassmaster hoped it would.

Did it create a more balanced playing field? Did it make the competition better? Did it prove anything at all? And most importantly—is this the format Bassmaster should stick with moving forward?

Three pros. Three perspectives. One topic that bass fishing just can’t stop arguing about.

Forward-facing sonar: did the split season work?

With just two Bassmaster Elite Series events remaining, Trey McKinney is once again right where he’s been knocking on the door for the last two seasons — in the hunt for Bassmaster Angler of the Year.

But this time, he’s the one everyone is chasing.

After finishing 2nd in AOY in each of his first two Elite Series seasons, Trey enters the final stretch leading the race and with a chance to finally finish the job.

This week on the Mercer Podcast, Trey talks about the pressure of leading AOY, what he’s learned from coming so close the last two years, and what it will take to close it out.

However we don’t avoid the tough stuff.

Does Trey get help from locals to find fishing spots? How does he handle the rumors, criticism and scrutiny that come with being one of the most successful young anglers in the sport? And does any of that noise actually get to him?

With two tournaments left and everything on the line, Trey McKinney answers the tough questions.

During one of his best seasons ever 3 time Bassmaster winner Cory Johnston sits just two events and 1 angler away from capturing the coveted Bassmaster Angler of the Year title. But with all that success has come an unexpected conversation—some anglers close to home even think that he should be banned.

This week Cory swings by for a face-to-face honest conversation about an incredible season, the pressure of the AOY race, and what it’s really like competing at the highest level of professional bass fishing.

Whether you’re following the AOY race or just love hearing the stories behind professional fishing, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

This week, Jake’s Take returns—and this one might be the most powerful yet.

Bassmaster videographer Jake Latendresse has spent years behind the camera, capturing some of the greatest moments in professional bass fishing. But this episode isn’t about the biggest catches or the biggest trophies. It’s about the moments that meant the most.

Jake counts down the five most emotional stories he has ever filmed during a Bassmaster event, sharing the behind-the-scenes details and personal memories that viewers never got to hear.

From Lee Livesay’s unforgettable triumph, to Jason Christie’s raw emotion, Brandon Palaniuk’s incredible perseverance, Brandon Cobb’s shocking hook set, Takumi Ito’s inspiring journey, and Drew Cook’s unforgettable sight fishing moments —these are the stories that remind us that fishing is about so much more than just winning tournaments.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to witness history through the lens of a camera, this episode gives you a front-row seat. Honest, emotional, funny, and full of incredible storytelling, Jake once again takes us behind the scenes of the biggest moments in Bassmaster history.

If you love the people behind the sport as much as the competition itself, you won’t want to miss this one.

Fishing has changed—and keeping a secret might be harder than ever.

This week on the Mercer Podcast, Bassmaster Elite Series Pro and Forrest Wood Cup Champion Justin Atkins joins us for a VERY honest, wide-ranging conversation about what it’s really like to chase a career in professional fishing.

We dive into whether fishing secrets still exist in the age of social media and instant information sharing. Has it become impossible to keep a productive pattern, a winning bait, or a special spot under wraps?

But that’s just the beginning.

Justin opens up about the financial risks of chasing a childhood dream, what it takes to survive on tour, his relentless desire to win, and the sacrifices that come with making professional fishing your career. Along the way, the conversation takes plenty of unexpected turns—including hilarious tour stories, embarrassing moments, life on the road, and the realities that fans rarely get to hear.

It’s funny, honest, and full of the kind of behind-the-scenes stories that only happen when two friends who love the sport sit down and have a real conversation.

If you’re passionate about bass fishing, tournament competition, or just love hearing the stories behind the anglers, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

The legendary Rick Clunn has always seen fishing differently than everyone else, and this conversation is no exception.

It starts with the shocking quote, “Urchin baits turn me on” to a fascinating discussion about why the latest bait craze has captured anglers’ attention, Rick shares his unique perspective on what makes a lure truly special—and why history has a way of repeating itself.

We dive into the current Urchin bait phenomenon, compare it to some of the biggest lure crazes of the past, and explore how innovation continues to shape the sport. Along the way, Rick reflects on life after professional tournament fishing, how he’s adjusted to stepping away from competition, and what still fuels his passion for bass fishing every single day.

As always, Clunn-clusion is a conversation that goes far beyond fishing techniques. It’s about curiosity, perspective, and seeing the sport through the eyes of one of the greatest anglers of all time.

For most anglers, confidence comes and goes. For Kyle Patrick, it took getting literally slapped out of a slump during Mercer in the Morning to turn everything around.

This week on The Mercer Podcast, Dave sits down with the two-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier and Bassmaster Open winner for one of the most honest conversations you’ll hear all season.

Kyle opens up about the mental side of professional fishing, battling through tough stretches, rebuilding confidence, and why one unexpected moment became the reset he didn’t know he needed.

But that’s just the beginning.

The conversation dives into what it really takes to compete at the highest level of the sport, chasing a Bassmaster Classic title, handling the pressure of tournament fishing, the evolution of modern bass fishing, and the lessons that only come from living life on the road.

It’s funny, authentic, insightful, and packed with the kind of stories you only get when the cameras stop rolling… or when someone decides the best cure for a slump is an open-handed slap.

Whether you’re a tournament angler, a weekend fisherman, or simply love hearing what drives elite competitors, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

What really happens behind the scenes at the Bassmaster Elite Series?

This week on the Mercer Podcast, Bassmaster videographer Jake Latendresse returns with another edition of Jake’s Take—the ultimate behind-the-scenes look at life on the Bassmaster Elite Series.

Jake takes us onto the back deck of Jason Christie’s boat during his historic 10th Bassmaster victory on the Pasquotank River, sharing stories and moments the cameras never showed. He also makes a shocking announcement, relives the unforgettable moment he took a seagull to the face during the tournament, and counts down the Top 5 craziest on-the-water accidents and bloopers he’s witnessed while filming the biggest names in professional bass fishing.

If you’ve ever wondered what really happens when Bassmaster LIVE isn’t rolling, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Carl Jocumsen is one of the most passionate anglers in professional fishing… but this time he’s fired up.

Carl is PISSED… and he’s finally ready to talk about it.

On this episode of the Mercer Podcast, Carl opens up about what’s frustrating him, why he believes some things need to change, and the ever-evolving world of tournament bass fishing. From new rules and the future of the sport to the challenges professional anglers face, Carl doesn’t hold back.

But this conversation isn’t just about fishing — it’s about making a difference.

Carl also shares the incredible story behind the Fear My Heart Worldwide Lake Clean Up, a movement he created to bring anglers together, protect our fisheries, and leave this world better than we found it.

Passion. Frustration. Change. Positivity.

This is Carl Jocumsen like you’ve never heard him before.

Jason Christie is back on The Mercer podcast hot off his second Elite Series victory of the season and his 10th Bassmaster win, Christie continues to prove why he is one of the greatest anglers to ever do it.

But what separates a 10-time champion from everyone else?

In this episode, Jason opens up about the mindset, confidence, preparation, and instincts that have made him one of the most consistent winners in professional bass fishing. From handling pressure, hating losing, making the right decisions on the water, and finding a way to win when everything is on the line — this is a rare look inside the mind of Jason Christie.

We also break down the winning bait that is dominating pro bass fishing. The Coike or Urchin style bait and why it has become such a powerful tool in Christie’s arsenal. Jason shares what makes this bait so effective, how he approaches fishing it, and why it continues to produce when the pressure is at its highest.

Plus, we dive into the stories behind another incredible season, what keeps him hungry after all these years, and why the best may still be yet to come.

This is Jason Christie: Inside the Mind of a 10-Time Bassmaster Champion.