Mark Zona Unfliltered-No Notes, No Plan, No Apologies on MERCER-246

In this rare and revealing episode of the Mercer Podcast, former Bassmaster Tournament Director Trip Weldon sits down for one of his most candid conversations ever.Trip pulls back the curtain on the real pressure behind the scenes — the judgment calls that fans never see, the decisions that can change careers, and the moments that kept him up at night. From tournament controversies to rule violations that shook the sport, he explains what it’s like being the man forced to make the toughest calls in professional fishing.But this isn’t just a look back.Trip also shares his personal perspective on some of today’s biggest challenges in tournament bass fishing — including evolving technology, and how the sport is changing for future generations of anglers.Honest. Direct. No script. No safe answers.Just the stories and decisions that shaped modern competitive bass fishing.If you’ve ever wondered what really happens behind the weigh-in stage, this is an episode you can’t miss.For more Facts of Fishing visit http://factsoffishing.com/

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 Mercer: The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast, Seth 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 elseIf you like real talk, behind-the-scenes stories, and the kind of honesty only Seth Feider delivers… this one’s for you.

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.

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 AnayaTwo 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 fallsIt’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.Let’s get to 300. 🎙️🔥

Arrested in Thailand.Thrown in a jail cell with the Googan Squad. And that’s just one of the many stories that get revealed. In this episode of the Mercer Podcast, Sam Sobi goes way beyond fishing. We talk about the dreams that built him, the setbacks that tested him, giant bass, bugling elk, true love… and the moments that shaped him But first we have the return of Jake’s Take. Bassmaster videographer Jake Latendresse breaks down what really happened behind the scenes from inside the boat with eventual champion Hank Cherry, Trey McKinney, Bryant Smith, and Hunter Shryock. If you love the Elite Series but wish you could hear the stuff that never makes TV — this is it. Raw stories. Real laughs. Zero script & as always awkwardly honest!

This is a real and raw conversation with Mike Iaconelli, one of the most iconic and influential anglers the sport has ever seen.In this episode, Ike looks back on the full arc of his career — the wins that defined him, the losses that shaped him, and the moments that forced him to grow. He opens up about how his mindset has evolved over time, especially as the sport continues to change and a new generation of young, fearless anglers invade the tour.This isn’t a highlight reel or a history lesson — it’s a conversation about evolution, perspective, and what it really means to stay relevant in a sport that never stops moving.However, make no mistake-Ike still Never Gives Up!

Matty Wong doesn’t hold back.In this episode of The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast, Matty opens up about getting cut, the on-the-water confrontations no one talks about — including the day another pro completely lost it on him — and where he really stands with professional fishing today.No sugarcoating. No PR answers. Just real stories about pressure, ego, conflict, and what happens when the cameras aren’t rolling.If you’ve ever wondered what life is actually like behind the scenes of pro fishing… this one’s for you.

No rundown. No prep. No safety net.Just Mark Zona doing what he does best—telling it exactly like it is.In this unfiltered, unscripted conversation, Zona dives headfirst into the real state of pro fishing, the stuff everyone talks about off camera, and why he still loves this sport as much as ever. No notes. No plan. And absolutely no apologies.Expect raw opinions, sharp humor, and classic Zona honesty as he breaks down:   •   The current state of professional bass fishing   •   Forward-facing sonar and where the sport is headed   •   Overused buzzwords and tired narratives   •   His favorite pros to watch (and why)   •   Why passion—not polish—still mattersThis is a real conversation with one of the most recognizable voices in the game. This is Zona Unfiltered, No Notes, No Plan & No Apologies

What does it really take to build a fishing prodigy?On this episode of the Mercer Podcast , Brandon Palaniuk looks back at his own rise—and then flips the script. We reverse-engineer the process, breaking down the mindset, discipline, support system, and decisions required to build the next generation of elite anglers.Brandon dives into his personal history, the lessons learned the hard way, and how today’s young anglers face a completely different path than he did. We also get into the new Bassmaster rules, how they impact competition, and what they mean for the future of the sport.Plus, Brandon discusses his new leadership role as President of the Association of Bassmaster Anglers Professionals sharing his vision, priorities, and what anglers should expect moving forward.This is an awkwardly honest conversation about legacy, leadership, and how prodigies are actually made.

What happens when tournament fishing meets new knees, old pain, and zero filter?Gerald Swindle delivers exactly what fans expect—pain, punchlines, and brutal honesty.In this episode, Swindle opens up about knee surgery, the grind of rehab, and what it really takes to keep competing at the highest level while your body is screaming at you. From fishing through pain to adapting to new rules on tour, he doesn’t sugarcoat a thing. Along the way, he shares the kind of behind-the-scenes stories, laughs, and perspective that only come from decades on the water.This is Gerald Swindle; Pain, Punchlines & the Truth About Getting Older on Tour.