MERCER-The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast

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 matters
This 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.