MERCER-The Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast

Some anglers blame the weather. Some blame the fish. Some blame everything around them. But according to Dakota Ebare… grumpy anglers don’t catch fish.

This week on the Mercer Podcast, Dakota Ebare dives deep into the mental side of fishing and why staying positive under pressure might be one of the biggest keys to success. It’s a mindset that has currently helped him climb all the way to 3rd place in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year race.
Dakota also gets real about:
-constantly changing debate around tournament rules
-The hottest new baits & techniques catching fish right now
- Why confidence and attitude matter more than most anglers realize.

But that’s not all…Former Bassmaster champion and ABC’s Bachelor Byron Velvick joins us for another edition of Byron’s Bunker — and he shares a never-before-told story about the unbelievable things professional anglers sometimes have to overcome on the water.

Fishing, stories, laughs and a reminder that sometimes the biggest battle isn’t with the bass… it’s between your ears.

Ben Milliken returns to this week’s Mercer Podcast for a wide-open conversation about the highs, lows and everything in between.
From building one of the biggest followings in fishing, to chasing his dream on the Bassmaster Elite Series, Ben’s journey has been anything but ordinary. In this episode, he opens up about his legal problems in Texas, the challenges and lessons learned from his time competing against the best anglers in the world, and what life looks like after Bassmaster.
But that’s not all… we also take a dive deep into the future of fishing, his insane new property “The Fantasy Farm” and the one bait Ben believes could be the greatest bait ever made for catching a bass.
Ben Milliken has changed the fishing world and he has done it by being real, relatable and honest. So when Ben shows up, the Awkwardly Honest Fishing Podcast gets a lot more honest and even more awkward!

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!

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 journeys. One Mercer podcast.

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 Buddy Jaron 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.