who cares if bill dance fishes from a stocked pond

[tipptruck1]

I know theres many guys on here that hates bill because he fishes from a stocked lake. But i have learned som munch from his show i relly dont care were he fishes. I also think his and hanks parkers show are two of the best for learning new things. So just let him fish and who cares were he fishes. Iam sure we all have learned a lot from his show.

[roadwarrior]

I like Bill Dance and apparently most fishermen do, too. He finished 3rd in Bassmaster's Greatest Bass Fishermen poll last year. I've met him a number of times and fish with some of his partners. He recently sent me one of his orange and white Tennessee fishing hats, signed on the bill with a cleaver little note, "Let's go fishing."

Heck, I'm a fan.

[Papa_Tom]

Personally I have long felt that his show was about entertainment and education.  Not sure in what order.  Doesn't matter.  His show is not "A day on the Lake with....."  Not intended to be.  As for those who choose to critcize, if they are critical of the show's format---don't watch.  If they are critcal of his credentials, don't go there.  Aren't very many walking around that can say they ran up a record like he did when BASS was in it's infancy.  First time Johnny Morris had him at the Brown Derby in S'field they had to change traffic.  My .02

[senile1]

I like Bill Dance.  I think most of the people on here are just joking about him.  I enjoy his show and I have learned some things.  He goes into alot more detail these days than he did when the show first aired.  

[Marty]

I agree, I don't care where he fishes. He is an engaging, likeable guy and his show can be very instructive.

[Nick B]

Bill Dance is certainly one guy I would go fishing with.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

I like the show.  I like to see the Hawgz and it does have a fair amount of educational value.

About the ponds ..... One of the things that bugs me is he never says that on his show, "I am at such and such pond today" (or at least the ones I have watched).  For somebody new, just getting into bass fishing, that show is not a fair representation of how a typical day on the water goes.  I bet his worst show is probably better than just about everybody's best on here as far as numbers and size go.

[huskertko]

I watch his show, albeit on TIVO, so I can fast forward through the actual catching of the fish, my only problem with him and I have stated it before on this site, is the way he insists on putting his hand inside the gill plate of every fish he catches.  

[Needemp]

I think Bill is a great teacher. Some people can do things great, but they cant tell you how they do it. And then some people can not only describe how to do it, but tell you things that you wouldnt have even realized you needed to know. Hes like that in my opinion. So far,out of all the criticisms I have heard from people, none of them hold any water to me. I wish I "HAD GONE FISHIN WITH BILL DANCE TODAY"

[BassKing813]

Bill Dance fishes stocked lakes?! I seriously did not know this. No wonder he always catches numerous 5lb plus bass on every show. Knowing that he only fishes private bodies of water that are stocked completely changes my opinion. Sure he is an excellent fisherman and knows way more than I do, but let's face it, pretty much anyone can fish a private, stocked lake and catch a lot of fish, big ones especially. Oh well. I still like the show anyway, although I am a little dissapointed to find this out.

[Raul]

I really don 't mind if the man fishes a stocked pond or not, I 've never viewed his shows like if he was bragging on how many and how big bass the bass he catches are, I always viewed his shows as entertainment and educational, as a matter of fact, many of the things I know I learned them from Bill Dance 's shows and videos.

[tipptruck1]

Speaking of dangerous. How many seats do you think bill has broken. It seems like every fish is a 500 lb marlin.

[George Welcome]

It seems the general consensus is that most like Mr. Dance. I do however have a couple of questions. How does anyone here know what waters Mr. Dance is fishing, and further how do you know that they are stocked? How many here have made a TV Fishing show?

[vtbassin]

I love the bloopers!! ;D ;D

I don't care where he fishes.  If I ever had the chance to go to any of those lakes I would be there fast! ;D If I had the chance to go with Bill I would be there faster.  Just don't let him near my rods.

[roadwarrior]

George,

Now, I'm a fan, but he does have a "Ray Scott" pond or two to fish on. His shows are for entertainment and learning, and they are syndicated, so he is still getting paid. What's wrong with that?

He really does have the "Ultimate Pond". I'm still working on an invitation to fish it with him.

[tbird]

I like the show as it is informitave , although I think fishing on the type of waters he does most of the time with the baits he uses gives a false impression to the younger anglers out there as they are thinking that they need to rush out and pick up the bait he is using. (his sponsers  pay him to use those baits) I am not saying the baits he uses are no good but do we fish these on a regular basis ?

IMO

[KYbass1276]

I Like him seems like a down to earth guy. He is living the dream most of us only dream about.  I think his show is entertaining and  has some educational value.  I do however feel most shows on tv aren't half as educational as this site.  He is a proven fisherman and dosen't really IMO need to show that he can go out on a big lake and catch fish he has already done that.  His bloopers video is a riot though I can't beleve anyone could be that much of a clutz.  He is good company in my book

[Guest the_muddy_man]

The two guys on tv ive learned the most from are Bill Dance and Al Linder I dont care where they fish they are both good teachers and Bill has a great sense of humor to go along with it  

[Thatcher]

I did not know he fished private ponds. I just though thats what bass looked like down south ;D.  It doesn't change my opinion of him. If I went fishing with him I'm sure he would outfish me. My favorite show is and always be Linder's edge.

[cart7t]

I've always liked Bill. He was the first angler who was able to quit tourney fishing and live strictly off his TV show and endorsements. You don't do that if you don't know how to catch fish or can't educate anglers on how to catch fish. He was probably the guy most responsible for teaching me to fish the T-rigged worm way back when.

Great guy, great teacher, his show is informative, a good learning tool and his bloopers videos are a hoot.  ;D

[dodgeguy]

i love bill dance.his show is one of the best.for everybody who thinks it's so easy to do what he does and film a good show i have one question.HOW COME YOU AREN'T DOING IT? ;D ;D ;D ;D

[roadwarrior]

Bill Dance still fishes professionally once a year. He and James "Big Catfish" Patterson partner up for a tournament held on the Mississippi River here in Memphis. I think they have fished it for five years and won twice, including this year's tournament just a few weeks ago. Professional catfishing isn't big money, but they won $5000 and a new boat. In addition to winning the event, they also won big fish.

[Jerkbate]

I've had the pleasure of eating lunch with him a couple of times at a charity event held each year at Old Waverly golf course in West Point, MS. He is a very nice guy. Even with all of the fame and notoriety he is still very down to earth and personable fellow. He's a little clumsy, but it makes us laugh. He is also a very accomplished fisherman. I don't care where he fishes. I've fished stocked ponds before and while the fish are easier to catch the big ones just don't jump in the boat with you.

I can imagine that making a fishing show is a tough job. I was fishing a small local lake a few years back when a gentleman showed with a camera crew to film a show. The lake had just opened and was producing a lot of 5-10 pound bass. The pressure to perform with all of us watching must have been immense.

My dad talked to a well know TV fishing show host at Sardis lake one day. I won't say who because the guy asked my dad not to tell that he told him this. My dad was curious as to why they had three boats. He was told that one held the camera crew, one was for the host to fish from, and the other had fish in the live well in case they didn't catch any.

I'm not trying to saying that every show host does this. The point is it is all about money. They cannot afford to take trips and not get footage. They do what they have to do to reduce their cost. I don't like the fact of someone on another boat hooking on fish for a guy, but if it means fishing stocked ponds then I'm fine with that. I enjoy Bill Dance Outdoors, and I've learned a lot from watching it.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

During my beginner days, Bill's show was very informative for teaching the basic lures and techniques.  I like the way the show (one of the very first info-mercials) would highlight one particular bait and then encompass all you need to know on how to catch with it from type of equipment to technique to when to use it.  

I think I've pretty much surpassed the need for that type of format in a show but Bill taught COUNTLESS anglers of my generation how to fish via the boob tube.

As far as those who say they hate him,....how can you "hate" anyone you've never met,...much less someone who is holding a fishing rod?

[Lightninrod]

I too am a fan of Mr. Dance.  His fishing board was my first introduction to "web Bassing" and I still go there every day.   He's a true Southern gentleman.

I've learned a lot from watching his shows although I too cringe when he lip's a larger Bass the way he does.  I've learned and seen techniques from him that have caught me Bass, one of which was the Strike King Porko.  It hasn't been made in years but there is a similar product that I still use.

As to "his stocked ponds", he does fish other places including some river where he was catching huge catfish and at Tenderfoot I think.  I was at Bienville Plantation down in Florida a year or two ago for a guided Bass day when the guide told me, "No, we can't fish in that lake as it's saved for TV taping and I taped a show with Bill Dance in it recently."

Dan