Bill Dance #3 in Greatest Angler Debate!

[CBedo]

Come on!  

3)  Bill Dance

4)  Denny Brauer

5)  Kevin Van Dam

6)  Larry Nixon

I know Bill won a boatload of tourneys while he fished, but in my opinion (not worth much), this list would at least look palatable if you swapped Bill and Larry Nixon.

At least they got the top two right.

Judging by how people voted for the top ten, I'd say Clunn has no chance unfotunately.  He'll get my vote, but I won't be unhappy with Roland.

[Rattlinrogue]

It's a tough one!Nine AOY's vs. four BMC's.I'd have to vote Roland,though.

[Pa Angler]

ROLAND ALSO HAD 19 TOUR WINS THERE'S NO ONE EVEN CLOSE TO THAT BUT RICK CLUNN IS ALSO GREAT. LARRY NIXON BELONGS IN THE THIRD SPOT WITHOUT QUESTION. TV SHOW TYPES GET MORE EXPOSURE THEN MOST PRO ANGLERS AND THAT'S THE WAY THE PEOPLE VOTE.

[fun_all_wrong]

Bill Dance #30 maybe....  

I can go into any kindgergarden classroom in the country and find 10 kids that can catch lots of big fish in Bills Big private pond....

[roadwarrior]

I think Bill Dance has done a lot to promote the sport. He has always shown himself to be a gentleman and a sportsman. His sense of humor is genuine. He was a successful competitor, but also made fishing fun. Now he is a successful businessman. What's wrong with that? #3 is EXACTLY where I think he ranks.

Rick Clunn and Rolland Martin, they tie for #1.

[basskid1]

I think that bill dance knows what hes doing when he has a private pond thats filled with lunkers. Id say if you take him in put him in a b.a.s.s. and flw trounament hes not gonna be able to fish with all the new pros, i think he should be near the middle of the list and not and 3th!!

[CBedo]

I agree Dance has done a ton to promote the sport, but that shouldn't count towards "greatest angler."

But I will say Dance did kick *** when he was fishing competitively, not just catch private pond bass. I think he deserves to be in the top ten probably, just not third.

[Yankee_lake]

i think ROADWARRIOR should be in the top 5 lmao

[Chris]

I would agree that the people's order is kinda slanted towards the guys that have shows but Larry Nixon had a show too and I guess people don't remember how great of a tour pro he is.

[BD]

I have said the whole time L.N. should be #1

[gamblerOH]

Bill Dance does not even need to be on the list. If its for greatest angler, he dont belong. If we are talking about people who have promoted the sport then he should be in the hunt. There is a big difference between GREATEST ANGLER and someone who has promoted the sport. Bill Dance has never won a classic even though he has qualified several times(7or 8). In order to win this honor I think a Bassmaster Classic win is a must. Roadwarrior, just because hes from Tenn. wont hold up either ;D

[Cephkiller]

I think a Bassmaster Classic win is a must.

I guess Roland's out then.

[CBedo]

Agreed, I don't think you can throw someone out just because they didn't win a classic.........but if they didn't they better be pretty special.

[abelfisher]

You know, the fact of the matter is, there are and have been probably a bunch of old codgers around the country that no one has ever heard of, that could be considered the best angler.  I am sure all of us know some old coot from way back that could outfish anyone around.  I know I do! If you agree with the premise, then all this other talk about the best angler is really moot.  IMHO.  Otherwise, in my book, Bill Dance is probably right where he needs to be.  (I am sure some of my feelings are due to my sentimental favorite)  

[Curado]

If he's in the top ten he's probably ten inb my book. There's no way he's better than Nixon, Van Dam, and the other guys. He might of promoted the sport but that doesn't mean he's a great angler. I also think Mark Davis got ripped off at ten.

[ball_coach_1]

Where are you all getting the updates on the list?

I am assuming ESPN BASS site, and guess I will go there in a minute and check it out.  Just curious, because I thought I saw this past Saturday that they had listed Van Dam #5 with four to go with Brauer, Dance, Clunn and Martin remaining. Obviously you all are getting the updates somewhere.    

Like the fourth time I have listed my opinion:

Van Dam, Nixon, Clunn, Martin in some top four order, probably Clunn and Martin battling for first...now assuming that will be the outcome some way.   Do this again in 10 years...Van Dam in a landslide.

[CBedo]

I thought they were doing it one at a time as well, until I saw the story here on this site and then went to BASS site to check it out.

Also, even though it's not in the title, everyone should know that it's not really the "greatest angler," so much as the "greatest B.A.S.S angler."  I'm sure some of the other species have great fisherman as well.

[bigbill]

First there's only one guy who made this sport to what it is today and thats Jerry McKinnis he never fished a tornie but he is in the bass fishing hall of fame for his contribution that he made to bass fishing ever since the very beginning. I love to watch his old shows with his home made wooden boats too. Yes it was a time before fiberglass bass boats with all the bells and whistles. He actually made the boats himself and a new boat each year too. All the others who helped this sport are just second fiddle to Jerry.

Now lets not leave out the guys at InFisherman either they have spanked Bill Dance many times in Tornies too. They should be on the list too.

I think its really the guys like Bill Dance and the boys at InFisherman who we should give the credit too for excelling this sport with McKinnis. I faithfully wathed McKinnis every saturday morning when i was a kid. There was a guy before him too he was called Gadabout Gaddis the flying fisherman he had a float plane and would fly into places and fish from the plane it was another awesome old show too. There was another fisherman at this time too but i can't remember his name. I think we really owe the older guys without them it wouldn't be the sport it is today they have passed the torch to the new guys. But lets not leave out the television people too who had the insite to broad cast the first fishing shows too without them we wouldn't be connected at all. Now who's the greatest angler of all time we have to look at the whole picture? BigBill

Greatest Angler;  Jerry McKinnis he is the godfather of bass fishing we owe him for his contribution to bass fishing.  We must remember too his time began way before there was an ESPN.  He is the number 1 guy who promoted this sport to what it is today.

[HoosierAngler]

No way Dance should have got 3rd, I don't think he even belonged in the top 10. I think he deserved a spot in the Debate but not even close to the top 10! They got the final 2 right, I think Clunn should be #1 ;D 8)