Cory and Chris Johnston on MERCER-178

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.
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[@deanjohnson7749]

Another great one Dave! Great to hear from life of Bassmaster anglers north of the border. I hope you will keep these podcasts going for the rest of the calendar year. There's a reason for your increase in subscribers. Keep being positive, real, fun and understanding us that love fishing! I loved the podcast with Zona and Clunn as well. Great people! Rick Clunn is like the E.F. Hutton of the outdoor world, "When Rick Clunn speaks, we listen."

[@brandonglenn8570]

I've been waiting all day at work for this drop!! Just a happy humper here stroking that algorithm!! Always enlightened to hear you semi monotone voice. DAVE YOU THE GOAT!!

[@peterlong9629]

Looking forward to this!!! "2 Minutes in the Penalty Box with the Hanson... I mean Johnston Brothers "!! 😂

[@foreverfishingillinois815]

You've always been super good with the fans in person and online you always communicate back with us which is really cool 😎 Thanks Dave

[@brianfeickert839]

Nothing like a conversation at the bar

[@loomis954]

This was great and fun to watch ,way to go guys

[@jimbaumgardner1436]

Cool show Dave. Love the setting too. The Johnston brothers are great dudes

[@edwardcowan7012]

I found that area in practice for a Red Man 40 years ago. That’s where I fish when the wind blows. That’s where everyone fishes when the wind blows. Never seeing Star Wars is concerning!

[@MJ_Bass]

The narrative that it’s a “Johnston” spot is so silly. Every local has known about it forever.

[@pavichapin]

A friend of mine fished there in a BASS Open in 1985. He tells me it has always been a popular spot.

[@jackevelynb]

Great podcast. Been waiting for this one. We love our Canadian boys. Our family has a derby every year on opening day of small mouth. We start trash talking 3 months before that day. Looking forward to 2025 season. Will continue to cheer our Canadian guys. P.S. You have a ton of fans cheering for you, just ignore the haters. 🇨🇦🎣😉

[@fishinforlikes1611]

The world needs more podcasts like yours Dave. Always a good time hanging out and seeing people be real.

[@craigwhalen8460]

Thanks fellas, awesome episode

[@789Derek]

Cory just comes across like an immature bully. Always talking about who he wants to punch someone in the mouth or fight or whatever. Your day will come big guy.

[@stevesteve4350]

I've met him in person and he's a jerk. His persona is like why are you talking to me don't you know how important I am.

[@extremebassman]

Good show, thanks for having them back Dave. Ike gave you a shout out on his show this week, I’d like for you to get Mike on next Wednesday and talk about some real noise!! Ike says it like it is. He’s not persuaded by what might be right or wrong.

[@factsoffishing]

@@extremebassman I always enjoy my conversations with Ike. Not sure what you mean talk about some real noise ?

[@Mr.Higgs.]

The interview the BASS Nation needed. I know it won’t be easy at all, but having interviews like this, is the most honest and humbling situation we could have as viewers. You have one of the best podcast out there Dave. Keep on keepin on.

[@factsoffishing]

Working on it for next week

[@theoriginaltech019]

Always have loved these two! Great show as always Mercer! Always a great time with these two! BTW Love the in person interviews! So cool! Really are the best!

[@jobrandofishing]

Chris is going to drop some 🧨 on that jewel and call it 😂😂. Congratulations Derby Boys Hell of a season 🤘🏻

[@grantschimek6506]

Awesome show Mr. Mercer! The johnstons are awesome! The world needs thicker skin! Keep em comin bud

[@maxoliverjr3976]

“Amazing, Enjoyed Every Second of It”! 👊👊👊🎣🎣🎣😊

[@pauldudar6642]

Been waiting for this one Dave! Great episode as usual. Congrats boys, you EARNED those trophies straight up, haters are gonna hate, tell em to pound sand!

[@jeffreyyoung8605]

Great show as always Dave!! Thanks for another great hump day!!

[@rodneyallison5471]

Awesome show, keep up the good work!

[@bill-qv3er]

The good old days were when social media did not exist !!! Congrats to both of you guys, terrific job !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just have to ignore these idiots who talk about things they know nothing about.

[@JakeLatendresse]

Mercer, your bar setting is a cool change of pace. the Johnston Bros are the new version of the Lane Bros, IMO. they compete hard with consistency and always seem to be in the game, if not one, the other or both. They’re tough guys who are built for competitive sports…their game is fishing and they’re very good at it…whether it’s finesse power fishing with electronics or beating the banks with power tools. What impresses me the most about their game is how versatile they are. Either one of them could win any tournament on any lake.

[@dougallen6187]

You boys made us proud . Keep up the great work and my money is on Corey the BFM champ of bass .

[@davemonaco103]

Those guys are so cool!! Makes me proud to be a Canadian! You too Mercer🤙

[@luigimamone2120]

Let’s just say that if you love fishing you where able to witness something that I am sure will never happen again when it comes to two amazing anglers ( brothers) winning. 🏆

[@RealMitchRapp]

Chris, quit banging yer hand on the counter hey… never mind. Great pod Dave! I smashed on em today. #6thSenseSwank 👊

[@billljones979]

Almost thru zona podcast. Which is truly a great one. This will be no doubt great. I'll be checking back in Dave, congrats on 450 that's insane bro, could you have ever imagine that when you started this

[@ShawnNorthernOutdoorExperience]

Cory must have died when he saw what an Ewok looks like and how it resembles Robert Gee knowing he had no idea what an Ewok actually was. I laughed so hard knowing he didn't know what they were. Then the Star Wars meme. I just died. Fishing and even hunting is all about busting each other's balls. It's all part of the comradery. Really cool that Bob Izumi went to their party as well.

[@F.Ronnie]

Thanks Dave.

[@robertfirasek5296]

Love this podcast listen to every one, good luck on the water 🎣🎣🎣🎣

[@mikefurness1598]

Two of the funniest brothers ... great show Dave!

[@randycasejr156]

Great one Dave! Like these dudes even more.

[@jamesmims5850]

That was fun Dave.

[@CBGRTR]

Dang Canadians!!!!😂 Love it dave like the johnston Brothers to I have no ill feelings about the st Lawrence River event

[@1jimif]

Thanks Dave, We do need another Derby Boys Video!

[@averyallen4798]

As big as bass fishing is in Texas and it being on the border I'm surprised how we don't have a Mexican angler in pro fishing

[@rickvann3489]

Boys, there are no secret spots, childish. What is giving it away is a technique for that certain time. I fished there 4 years ago and didn't know you had secret spots because the charts and maps now show everything. Main Duck Island is also a no-brainer come on, guys.

[@nancyzipperer8819]

Finally! Bet that up Dave!

[@TonyCollumtheHOWTOHERO]

Imagine complaining on social media about people complaining on social media….about you complaining on social media

[@factsoffishing]

Just imagine 😂

[@johnschuessler184]

nice bar great content

[@johncoppock1558]

Dave Mercer’s World Team Championship: Cory & Chris Johnson vs. Jacob Wheeler and Dustin Connell…..

[@chucktaylor7991]

Congrats gentlemen !!!!

[@dustinwheelerfishing]

Hasn’t seen Star Wars!! All respect lost!

[@andybulson7941]

You maple syrup loving fellas from the north are always welcome in Michigan!

[@Orvialb]

Great show Dave. Two great anglers.

[@peterlong9629]

15 minutes in... loving it! 😂😂

[@edwood1424]

Great pod cast, gave me a little more understanding of the Johnston's and even though I was favoring Robert Gee, I dont feel negative about the Johnston's. Great fisherman and I wish them luck in the future.

[@robuens356]

Beauty episode. 🇨🇦Worst part about it the wife came home and I was watching it without her! Took some heat. Love the content!

[@josheddy6905]

The entrance fee to the Expo at the Classic is a great idea! I don't think anyone would question having to pay $5 to $10 to enter an expo like that and it would significantly up the payouts for the field. Bassmaster said the attendance was 110,000+; that would be half a million dollars generated for the payout just off $5pp.

[@MJ_Bass]

Always give and take. BASS is making a pile of money from booths at the expo. You charge admission, cut attendance in half and the booth prices go way down.

[@mattressesunderwater]

Not everybody stayed clear of Gussy’s spot in the classic. Austin Felix and David Mullins started on day 1 on “Gussy’s Spot”

[@markeustice618]

I liked the Mercer at the bar!

[@briane.mcguire197]

Great show. My favorite guests, together again lol it got real a couple times, questions got answered honestly that was real held back some, I wanted to know more about there real feelings on two of the best wins ever, what there kids n wife's thought but more what they felt, it was said somewhat. I wouldn't want to bet who wins classic first. Lol lya guys, thnxs Dave. Bman.

[@timothyverdine6431]

Spot on about negativity! It really gets sickening.. keep pounding them boys and I can't wait till you guys come to the Mississippi river next year!

[@scottezzell441]

Cory was very subtle about the Podcaster from FLW 😮😅

[@Etec86]

I always find it interesting how randos know what happened better than the people actually involved. 😂 People are ridiculous.

[@brandonhavis8526]

Social media is the worst thing to ever happen to bass fishing. I miss the days when bass fishing wasn’t popular.

[@extremebassman]

Social media has ruined literally everything.

[@brandonhavis8526]

@@extremebassman facts!

[@elliotdavis4542]

Tell me about it

[@ryancannon9358]

Live coverage is also terrible. Get a TV deal, produce it, show us. Tournament fishing was 1000000000× better when not live.

[@Ray-z8r]

Professional fishing is the worst spectator sport in the world! It seems to have accumulated every loser on the face of the earth. The fans, the current anglers and retired anglers are the biggest babies alive. Complain about this, complain about that, over and over again!

[@bryceweaver01]

Cory had no dog in it.... Gee was trying to win.

[@ryanpanneton9491]

Excited this should be a good one. Hopefully compares to the derby boys episode lol

[@peteyj27]

Hey Dave love your pod!! I really like the set up for this episode you should do it more!! Just work on the echo in the room

[@bryceweaver01]

Country had zero to do with it. And I guarantee gee wasn't happy Abt the spot squatting. Chris won event sure, but cory 100% shit on gee's fish... On purpose. Without any penalty. Plus the live deal. Bass def showed their ass bewmtween this and trey.

[@StephenByrd-tg7dm]

I don’t care what Chris said or the reasons he did it. You never pull within 100 feet from the leader. Never. You do that to Tommy Biffle and you would have a Hardhead up side your head. That was a shitty thing to do.

[@fishwhisper4388]

Dame good show 👏

[@kawarthabassn9890]

i attended the last classic and said to my friennds that they should charge something to get in the expo and add it directly to the champions payout. or atleast donations and add it. based off the numbers a small amount like 2 or 5 dollars would make the champions payout bigtime.

[@CrankCaveBaits]

Jacob Foutz does a video after every tournament with an itemized list of his experiences and an itemized list of his winnings for each particular tournament.

[@caseyhepler2806]

Best spot on the river

[@patricklambert5622]

Dave Mercy means EASY MONEY!😂

[@shannonwhitehead6314]

Hi from Northern California 🎣👍

[@CrankCaveBaits]

DAVE!!!! Get Cory another Ultra!!!🤣🤣🤣

[@Chainoflakesguy]

Man I wish the boys came to the Moose capital for their hunt instead. Ive got multiple big bulls located that i would gladly put them on.

[@garyphillips2650]

Jacob Foutz has been giving a cost/profit breakdown all season after each tournament

[@caseyhepler2806]

The St. Lawrence earnings or bust

[@shawncollins7123]

You three are just a few chirpers. Me camping ky lake looking for just a few dinks And the boys go out today for 6 hours catch 4+ pounders I’m not hating just something else gods bless all the big time anglers out there

[@stephenknight7601]

Social media has ruined the world because we let it. Teach my kids if people are talking trash about you it is 9 times out of ten they are jealous of you. I agree with Cory this world is full of P--- if they talk shit no one is there to knock there teeth put and shut them up. Congratulations from a SC guy think Johnston boys are bad ass.

[@randycasejr156]

Cory...'maybe with another pandemic, they'll grow their man parts back'. 😂 With the way the world is, that's unlikely.

[@raymondarnold5800]

Great Podcast once again!! So I was wondering since you always give anglers nicknames is Robert Gee’s official nickname the Ewok? I mean you can’t call him G-man because that’s taken, G-spot would probably not go over to well… just wondering 😂😂

[@johnnyfishmanziggy9487]

My opinion…(ya everyone has 1 😮) the people that are better at what they do are not clouding their mind with the bullshit and take that negetivy and use it as fuel 😊 Dope smoker from Canada is only pissed cause he can’t afford a scope 😂 Keep after it boys! This is a great story no matter what country you’re from! Fact that you guys (3) are Canadian is icing 😊 Anyone not understanding what it takes to be the best should back up the boat…truly look at the story! Take jealousy out of the equation!Harden Deegan story the same. Been pulling for this young man since he was a kid cause you could see the drive!

[@bryceweaver01]

Do not fish on top of the leader man.... If that got done to you or your bro you'd wanna throw hands.

[@byronhendrixfishing8393]

What mlf angler talked trash on their podcast? lol that tells you right there I don't keep up with MLF because they're on the verge of folding and all those anglers are jumping in the opens.

[@wolastoqcustomtackle5217]

If three Canadians ever go into a bar at least one of them is usually not walking

[@johnm2617]

Remember when IKE got to Bassmasters! He wasnt the best liked either ! Alot of those people are still fighting the civil war 😮😮😮😮! They should be use to it by now ! The Northern guys opening a can of whip ass ( ON -EM )😅😅😅😅 GREAT SHOW THESE GUYS ARE REAL AS FK !!

[@joshuacoggin5665]

I'd like to see him say that to T.C.'s face. 😅 Promise that wouldn't happen.

[@factsoffishing]

@@joshuacoggin5665 who’s TC ?

[@theoriginaltech019]

Some of us don't just run our mouths like most the world. Some of use actually have no problem saying FACTS and ignoring the feelings. I promise you these men will say ANYTHING to ANYONES face mr youtube warrior. :)

[@samsquanchoutdoors.6271]

Todd Casteldine.

[@Chainoflakesguy]

Tell me you never played hockey in canada without telling me. Them boys aint scared of nothing.

[@hunterbigwood4556]

No shade on Robert gee because he is a great angler. But to touch on the johnstons point about location, Robert said on live that he knew about that place because he saw it on live from a past tournament. That shouldn’t be a thing.

[@samsquanchoutdoors.6271]

No he didn’t. He knew about because he saw Jody White win there. Cory and Chris assumed he found it because of Live.

[@theoriginaltech019]

Gotta open up betting on fishing. A fanduel sponsor would be great! Would bring in tons of money and tons of views. One of the best ways to bring a bunch of money in.

[@user-tk1yr7lw6i]

Ask him about the name calling I lost respect for this guy. Hes a punk

[@patricklambert5622]

EWOK!!!!!!

[@ronaldbryant8457]

The problem is.....moving in on someone the third day of a tournament when you haven't been there the previous two days....and the person you moved in on was the tournament leader......had that been a veteran BASS angler, you would have never done it....

[@warrenmcrae8614]

He was there the day before.....

[@kljohns4]

Those were 6-8 footers.... I assure you.

[@bryceweaver01]

There wasn't a single boat fishing day 1 or 2.... That's what these guys don't admit to. They change the subject to a different body of water. You should've lead gee fish it, point blank. Admit any sort of wrong doing.....

[@rogerdudra178]

Anything that can show me the bottom of the Missouri river I want.

[@samsquanchoutdoors.6271]

Last time I checked punching someone in the face has repercussions also… Hockeys over bud…

[@Natureboy1607]

Where's Hackney Dave ?

[@MatthewFrey-kc7vf]

I quit BassBoat Central after sticking up for you guys. I was a member since 2005 with 13k posts. I could not handle the bullshit being spewed at you guys.

[@Etec86]

That place is just a bunch of old guys yelling at clouds anyways

[@ralphvisco1066]

👍🏻

[@Biggapp]

👍

[@patricklambert5622]

Anglers are showing how much money they make, why dont B.A.S.S. open books and show anglers how much they actually make?????

[@fishnreidsflyfishing2055]

beauties 🍻

[@jeremysharp5852]

🤜🤜

[@UnitedWeStandTogather]

I think BASS live should quit giving the exact location.

[@williamknight5142]

👍👍👍👍👍