Dave Mercer

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.

https://youtu.be/-O2LwHBQOq0?si=EOIVe...
‪@Christiefishing‬

6 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 74

Dave Mercer

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 Bassmaster behind-the-scenes segment.
Jake takes us inside the action from the back deck of Brandon Palaniuk’s boat during the Santee Cooper Elite Series event and gives an up-close look at life inside Tristan McCormick’s boat during the Wheeler Lake Bassmaster Open.
From the chaos you never see on camera… to the little details that separate the best anglers in the world… Jake shares stories and moments only a Bassmaster cameraman gets to witness.
But that’s not all…
Then we dive head first into the latest craze taking over pro fishing — the Urchin Bait — as Jake reveals his “5 Dirty Urchin Bait Tricks Pros Hide From the Camera.”
The sneaky retrieves.The hidden modifications.The little tricks anglers don’t want competitors noticing.
If you love Bassmaster behind-the-scenes stories, tournament insight, and awkwardly honest fishing talk… this episode is loaded to the gills!

https://youtu.be/a3JqqVIav40?si=ML0sl...

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 41

Dave Mercer

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 journies. One Mercer podcast.

https://youtu.be/C3OBnwUcglE?si=t7vdx...

1 month ago | [YT] | 35

Dave Mercer

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 ‪@BuddyJaron‬ 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.

https://youtu.be/nUJCxSmERqQ?si=aFXcf...

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 27

Dave Mercer

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.

https://youtu.be/v6J83HLVO5E?si=X3z3f...

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 59

Dave Mercer

Fresh off his 9th Bassmaster win, Jason Christie ( ‪@Christiefishing‬ )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.

https://youtu.be/XLuvkG63Z_U?si=SdLfx...

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2 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 31

Dave Mercer

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.


https://youtu.be/Npetgj3C1yo?si=u9Uko...

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3 months ago | [YT] | 87

Dave Mercer

Seth Feider is headed back to the Bassmaster Classic, and he’s doing it the only way he knows how… his way.


In this episode of the Mercer: The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast, ‪@sethfeiderfishing‬ sits down to talk about his big return to the Classic, lucky underwear & winning the Dirt Derby.


But that’s just the start.


Feider also reveals one of the strangest and least-known quirks in professional bass fishing… the fact that he literally shakes the morning of tournaments when he’s about to catch them. Not nerves. Not fear. Something else entirely.


We also get into:

• His mindset heading into the Bassmaster Classic

• What separates instinct anglers from electronics anglers

• Classic prep and pressure

• The presentation of the most unique trophy in history

• A few classic Feider stories you definitely won’t hear anywhere else


If you like real talk, behind-the-scenes stories, and the kind of honesty only Seth Feider delivers… this one’s for you.


https://youtu.be/SNhJKzibxD0?si=86Oug...

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3 months ago | [YT] | 32

Dave Mercer

BREAKING NEWS RICK CLUNN RETURNS- Four-time Bassmaster Classic champion Rick Clunn joins the Mercer Podcast alongside longtime Bassmaster cameraman Jake Latendresse for Clunn-Clusion & Jake’s Take with a behind-the-scenes breakdown of the first two Bassmaster Elite Series events of the season & a Bassmaster Classic preview.

What really happened on the water?

From momentum shifts and decision-making under pressure… to what fans didn’t see on camera… Rick and Jake give two completely different vantage points — legendary competitor and trusted insider.

https://youtu.be/F7K-DK4RXno?si=1xsiG...

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3 months ago | [YT] | 38

Dave Mercer

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 Anaya

Two 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 falls

It’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, next stop 300

https://youtu.be/_pGQFZ6vhAo?si=P2vaO...

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4 months ago | [YT] | 66