Chris & Trait Zaldain-Unapologetically Honest on MERCER-135 

This is honestly one of your best interviews Mercer. Folks can say what they want about Trait, but she is willing to discuss the "inside baseball" topics that nobody wants to discuss publicly. And you, Mercer, are will go let to folks speak their minds too. Great job again! ps: My perception about Chris is that he is genuine. THAT and Trait's brutal honesty is why they are successful in social media.

I love Trait. She speaks the truth and doesn’t hold back. It’s always great conversation with her and Chris. Great show Dave!

How did I miss this one? I asked for this one a while ago. Trait's honesty is priceless! Can't wait to see this!

You guys were spot on with the entertainment value. Thinking back to my childhood, my favorite episodes of Bill Dance were the “bloopers”. There is true enjoyment in seeing the professionals being human. Loved the conversation.

I’m out here slinging boxes for UPS til 930pm or so. This is the only good thing about my day so far 😂 I was NOT a Trait fan for a long time, but hearing her cut loose on the podcast is amazing. She will go down as a legend in the industry for asking the hard questions and always outing the elephant in the room and I love it.

This was a really fun, interesting & informative podcast. Could easily been another hour! Chris & Trait I enjoy & appreciate their honesty & being open with their thoughts & experience with the pro bass fishing industry.

Great show Dave, I love the Bilge also. Trait needs to get you booked ASAP. Keeping it real makes for the best show!

Great show Dave,again. I have enjoyed many of Chris and Trait’s pod casts. This was one of the best. Thanks

Thanks for another great one Dave! Also really enjoyed Chris and Trait's podcast last night with Panger!👍

Dave, I love seeing you once a week. When you mention the things you will do in front of a camera it reminds me of all the things I used to do in front of my brothers and their older friends… Anything to make a laugh, make someone notice me, And make someone do something equally as impressive or dumb. Thanks for being you, thanks for being here for our enjoyment.

Another great episode! Thanks as always for putting out quality entertainment! Oh yeah...I'm an MFer that turned Humper (after you had Ben on a few times), that is also a Bilger. Truly love everything you all do. Thanks!

Love Zaldain! Was fortunate enough to camp a few spots down from him at the Classic this year. Got to talk with him, take pics with him and got some swimbaits from him. Hope he has a great year in 2024!

I read a magazine article when I was in high school about being a fishing guide. The punch line of the article was that, at the end of the day you have to be able to nod and grin. I've been a guide now for a year and the entertainment piece is part of the "experience" that will pay more in the long run. We're all human and love to have a good laugh or grow in some emotional/ informational manner. If your taking $$$ to fish you have to bring the value because that's what the customer/ fan is paying for, my $0.02. Godspeed!

Excellent discussion truly touching the facts of the industry

Really enjoyed the show Dave. Chris and Trait are great because they realize as the sport evolves, and we as fans have 24/7 access to the anglers as well as the league management via social media, we want the truth behind the scenes and they are not afraid to take us there.

Three class acts! it’s refreshing to hear discussions about topics that others won’t talk about.

Excellent show guys!

Dave. I enjoy to long podcasts. I listen to you when I’m driving or working outside. I can listen and not have to try and find something else. The ones with Jake aren’t long enough. He is a good dude. Keep it up man! Thank you!

I love podcast and like you Dave I have to deal with snow 30 plus years of plowing roads sometimes upwards of 30 hrs straight in truck so I stack a bunch of podcast up and listen. Makes time go by better anything from cooking and woodworking to fishing. It’s too bad your other situation went south but defiantly better shows separately just too bad u couldn’t bury the hatchet. One of my favorite podcast is tackle talk with Andrew Hayes. His delivery,demeanor and honesty about products is awesome and sometimes nice to have no drama podcast. Defiantly subbing to the bilge Thanks for another good one!

Great show as usual. Truth needs to be said out loud or change will never happen!

Ole Jon Cox laughing there at the end, God speed Jon, keep fighting the machine, you're a hero to us jon boaters 🤣 Mercer you were dynamite and your guests were great as well!

Love it when you throw in the Duckett voice 😂

Great to see these two on here, even on a split screen 😄

So glad to see these two on the show.

Will say I wasn’t a Trait fan only for the reason of giving BASS crap but now feel like she is a true person and says the truth. You always get the real out of people another awesome show. Thanks keep it rolling

Excellent Podcast!! So insightful interesting and entertaining!

Gotta love the Zaldain’s…honest to the core. Trait is taking straight talk to another level…and keeping Chris dancing…lol. Awesome show Dave!

She is smart and informed. She is not afraid to bring up the tough questions. Good stuff Dave.

Great show, some great fishing podcasts that are consistent!! Keep up the good work yo

This was made for me . The only two Podcast shows I watch weekly were both on your show, So this means your going to be on there Show now ?. Great information and funny,except the end. I want to hear the after show comments. !!! Thnxs Dave.

Hey All, Thanks for watching. Please help me thank Chris & Trait for being this week’s guests by following their channel youtube.com/@Zaldaingerous?si=GVevaLjvmX-xRxjA

Another great one! Well done you all!!!!

Great show Dave. Those 2 are the best

Love the niche they have created with their podcast! The bass fishing industry does feel obligated to sweep things under the rug all the time and I’m glad they are willing to speak for the community.

Amazing!!!

Chris on Lanier with a Spark shad in Winter. One of my favorites to watch.

Awesome show. Great conversation.

Trait sounded like a maniac on that bilge podcast with panger… just probing him over the most bizarre crap. This was a good show though glad to see she put the wine glass down.

So at the start of the season, I had a chip on my shoulder with Chris and Trait. However, after watching The Bilge, keeping up with Chris all season, I have become one of the biggest Chris and Trait fans on the planet!!! I freakin LOVE those two!!! I wish I could hang out, shoot some guns, drink some beer, and spend a day swimbaiting with them.

Super good!!!!

Excellent show Dave From an OG Humpper

I think you need a Burrow Bobblehead. If you cant find one, ill send one. LOL. Good stuff!

Great show Dave! Humpers for life! Could Trait be the secret Randy Flowers? 😂

YES DAVE, this “ELDERLY COUPLE” of HUMPERS is still watching! Always enjoy your show!!!😊👍😜

Trait doesn’t take Any Shit!! Takes a strong woman to support a career fisherman, especially in today’s climate! Chris & Trait are a strong duo!

Good stuff folks!

I want to know what sponsor tried to shut out Trait so i can avoid their products

Two of the best podcast.

Great interview Mercer!

Trait is gem

That was a great one. The Bildge is one of my top 3 fishing podcasts. Trait truly keeps it real.

I love the transparency and I love chris and trait we all know each other well.. Chris is hands down the best fisherman I’ve ever been in the boat with. Fuck forward facing sonar!!!!

When chris got on camera that first year it was some of the best stuff bassmasters has ever had.

Awesome podcast…

Trait got it so right. As a fan, listening to your podcasts and watching your videos, we actually do get a sense of friendship from it. I never thought about it that way but it’s 100%

Zaldangerusss Is very good bass fisherman this year he does like me , trying sometimes trying too hard or picking the wrong school of fish or the wrong part of the lake to fish that day!!! ?

Good one👍👍👍👍👍

Great show Mercer!!! 👍👊💪

Loved this episode. I like Trait. She is a straight shooter and has a low tolerance for BS. Does that get you a lot of friends? Nah. But that’s ok. Gotta respect when someone is willing to stand up and say what they believe.

I'm a Proud Humper been here since day one

I think Trait is a perfectionist and Chris is opposite that😂. Reminds me of my marriage and is awesome to relate to them like that. Guys like us would be lost without them.

Great show Dave, I'd like to have a conversation with Trait for about 6 hours !!!

Dave I'm in pa ! It gets cold and snowy also ! I like 3 seasons also ? Summer summer & summer ! Boat is wrapped and winterized ! Sucks ! Take care buddy ! Great show as always ! Like chris ! Trait I could take or leave her ! Seems miserable alot??😮😮😮😮😮

California kid acting as a Texan be your self it is what it is. Love Trait she is for real

This is gonna be good!!!

Gotta love fishing humps!

Chris does trait come with you into the bathroom when you take a dump too?

ill be ya humper berry !!.do it every chance i get 😂 keep it clean gotta keep it clean family show ...😆 Good show dave as always👍

Some one get her another beer. Lol I love those guys. Dave we love you to

I've said it once I'll say it again trait is my hero

Humper for life!

👍

TRAIT 💪

Dang trait brought up more great comments. She’s on it

"...but you get all the seasons!" "Yes, but i only like 3 of them!" 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

One of my favorites dave i agree i think guys are afaid to lose sponsors because of how small the pie is an all the hands in it.. Thanks Dave chris an trait

😮

Dave, you need to have Jacob Foutz on.

Chris getting the US Navy to do all his electronics 😂

It's great being a HUMPER. After the hump it's all downhill from there... 🤣 Goes Good with Beer... 🍺🎣

A lot of times while listening through head phones while working I have to get off the video because I struggle to hear you vs most podcasts I listen to daily. Love to listen but I can't while around production.

Chris likes she was dropped from the call with the sponsor- that was funny.

Trait has become one of my favorite humans on the planet! No filter, says what she thinks…. That’s how it should be!!!!!! And she puts names with her criticism! NOBODY else in the industry will!!!!! They just piss and moan but won’t call names!

We should be the Mercernaries

Sometimes after I have a few beers watching your show I somehow feel like John travolta is you 😂😂😂 I said what I said

She is gonna cost Chris everything

Humper for life Dave.

I would bet if certain sponsors know a angler is truly needing their sponsorship money. That is probably the ones they attempt to push around. If that same sponsor knows that particular angler is financial sound, I’d bet they don’t try to push that particular angler around. Unfortunately there are people like that. You are right about Kyle Welcher being a great angler. The few conversations I have had with Kyle along with following his content long before him being pro. He is so impressive with his knowledge of the sport. That isn’t counting his physical angling abilities! As far as MLF it made me sad when the split happened. Now it not only makes me sad but pisses me off how a certain individual screwed up a good thing and is still screwing over his “PALS”! It’s okay because he is doing it for the greater good of bass fishing! Yeah Right!!!!!😤🤬😡

If any ones wondering about his sponsor pretty sure it was humminbird was the sponsor he is no longer with.

Humper from day 1

When talking about boats not moving. Do Pros have to have a new rig every year?

I’ve watched Bassmasters religiously and I did not know 51st-70th got paid $2500. You never hear any angler mention that!

Humper!

If bass pro is willing to give your "wishlist". Dont feel the need to explain why they do. As a fan you bring more value than 85% of the field. You. Should do 6 12" screens 🤔

Im a humper!

I'm a fan of the Zaldains and Mercer because of their honesty, but let's discuss what they CAN'T SAY regarding the "split". For the record Mercer works for BASS and Zaldain has signed a contract agreeing not to talk disparagingly about BASS and it would be ridiculous for either to discuss this from a financial standpoint. Tournament bass fishing is ego driven and really nothing more than gambling for one another's entry fees. Being a greater at Walmart is a safer career path! BASS and the Bass Master's Classic have established themselves to be the single biggest "carrot on a string/rock star fantasy (the thing that drives the tournament industry) motivator in tournament bass fishing, even over FLW's much, much better payouts and BPT's initial zero entry fees. But the majority of all tournament angler compensation is generated by tackle promotion, not tournament winnings, which are inconsistent at best. Anglers need a stage in which to promote themselves and their sponsors to make money. Anglers don't work for tournament organizations, they use the tournament organizations' stages to establish themselves to the tackle buying public and promote their products. Organizations provide a stage to the anglers in exchange for using anglers' fan appeal to generate audiences for their sponsors. That was fully illustrated when FLW started and name BASS anglers were allowed to jump the ranks of people that had qualified to fish the circuit. BASS did the same thing after the split by allowing name FLW anglers to jump the ranks of people that would have qualified for the Elites through the Opens. There has always been disputes between anglers and tournament organizations in regards to the promotion of their respective sponsors. Organizations want to promote their sponsors exclusively and anglers want to promote their sponsors exclusively. The whole FLW business plan was based on promotion of FLW's sponsors exclusively over that of the angler's sponsors. BASS has been the biggest fan recognized stage (which gives them the financial superiority over all others) for more than a half century and the fans, the anglers, the other tournament organizations, and sponsors all recognize that (whether they say it out loud or not). Recognizing themselves as the biggest stage, BASS has for years stifled anglers from other tournament organizations. They have done this by intentially scheduling on top of other organizations' tournament dates. This impedes anglers from making money on multiple stages and anglers have long resented it. There is an episode of Ike Live just prior to the split in which representatives of all three circuits discuss the state of tournament fishing and it was clear that BASS was absolutely doing this. You can certainly argue whether or not BASS's actions were "good business" but there is no argument that it was hurting the anglers financially. The fact that so many big name, long time BASS anglers left suggests the consensus among the anglers was they were unhappy about the way BASS treated them. Did they make this move out of emotion or business sense? Did they truly believe in the MLF format or did they just want to give a big F-you to BASS? Those are questions that may or not ever be answered but to imply BASS's treatment of these anglers wasn't the motivating factor for the split is ridiculous!

I watched the whole thing and left myself wonder, "What's the difference between fishing podcasts and Bravo TV?" Not much, really.

The Brittany Mahomes of fishing

Jimjones and kane simpson getting all the love, i just wish wanna_who was still around

Humpers R'us