In honour of Bass Fishing Hall of Fame week we have a double dose of goodness. First we kick things off with Mike McKinnis, the visionary producer that created Bassmaster LIVE & limitless list of award winning outdoor programming. Then we are joined by Skeet Reese, one of the greatest competitors in bass fishing history. Reese has 12 tour level victories including the 2009 Bassmaster Classic & the 2007 Bassmaster Angler of the Year title. Amassing over 4 million dollars in winnings making him one of the top 5 money winners in history. Both of them will be officially inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame this week, but first they stop by this week’s Mercer Podcast.

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!!!