I love to watch fishing shows, just ask my poor wife.  I learn a ton from them, and have really gotten into the tournaments both FLW and BASS, but I just can't stand Bill Dance.  He doesn't teach you anything, its the same show over and over.  About the only thing you learn from his shows is that you can catch huge fish in private ponds, where presentation doesn't matter.  You would think that OLN would have a responsibility to step in and say something about how he handles fish, it's pretty rediculous if you ask me.  At least other shows like Hank Parker, Rollin Martin, even Charlie Moore have some educational value to them.  Dance just sits in his Tracker boat, with his Stren fishing line, on Quantum gear bassically shooting fish in a barrel.  That's not really helping anyone.

Just be happy he fishes all of those private ponds that all of us will never get to try. Also, I guess you can be rest assurred he won't be damaging the fish on your favorite water.

I really have gotten to the point that I TIVO the show, fast forward through him actually catching the fish and then stop it to listen to see if he has anything informational to say, if not I fast forward to after he catches the next fish to see if there is anything of interest being said.  It usually takes me about 5 minutes to watch his 30 minute show.

I really have gotten to the point that I TIVO the show, fast forward through him actually catching the fish and then stop it to listen to see if he has anything informational to say, if not I fast forward to after he catches the next fish to see if there is anything of interest being said. It usually takes me about 5 minutes to watch his 30 minute show.

This is why I stopped TIVO'ing his show.  I've noticed his tried 'n true formula for every show is:

50% product placement

20% landing private pond fish

30% information on how/why fish respond to barometer change.

voila!

He does seem like a genuinely nice guy.  Can't fault him for that!

I really don't care how he holds the fish. I just enjoy watching him catch fish.  But you don't really learn anything from watching Dance fish private ponds other than how to work whatever bait he's pushing that month.

In my opinion, any fishing show beats 99% of everything else on tv.

You guys slay me - how the heck do you know where he is fishing? For those of you commenting, I guess you would rather watch a half hour of no fish caught.

You happen to be talking about the Gentleman of Gentlemen in this fishing game. Perhaps if you knew him and even a little bit about what he knows about fish and fishing you wouldn't be so quick to rattle your gums.

Thanks RW for that bit of insight that you threw these guys.

As for how he handles fish: perhaps you should spend a few hours with "fishery biologists" on a shock boat and watch the handling of fish. I didn't see any complaints about the handling of tournament fish. Have you ever watched a Bassmaster's weigh in?

You happen to be talking about the Gentleman of Gentlemen  

The Peddler of Peddlers?

You happen to be talking about the Gentleman of Gentlemen

The Peddler of Peddlers?

LOL!! ;D

Agreed that Bill Dance has a set up location but he still tries to teach a presentation, lure, location or something else.

As for holding the fish I don't like the horizontal hold of the bass but think about Charlie Moore who holds the fish the same way while he chit chats or clowns around or lets the fish bounce on the boat deck. In-Fisherman is not to far behind in delayed release.

Well,I'd rather watch Bill Dance than hear ole Jerry Mckinnis rail on about how many "smallies" he used to catch in Arkansas when he was a little boy!

Well,I'd rather watch Bill Dance than hear ole Jerry Mckinnis rail on about how many "smallies" he used to catch in Arkansas when he was a little boy!

I feel the same way about Hank Parker and his "aw shucks" dribble.

A few years ago didnt Orlando Wilson basically get drummed off TV by public opinion about the way he handled a fish?

I will say Bill Dance was the stud in his time and he probally could smoke my butt on the water.He has probally forgotten more than I know.With, that said his show still isn't reality.He has not fish public waters on his shows that I have seen.Ita like he goes to heaven to make his shows.

There is a lot of mishandling fish on the tours.It is an issue that a lot of anglers need to work on.

C'mon George, I've never seen another living soul around when this guy is filming. No boat traffic, very few docks if any, no jet skiers, swimmers sunbathers anyone. He absolutely fishes private lakes and ponds. This isn't a breaking story.

I love to watch fishing shows, just ask my poor wife. I learn a ton from them, and have really gotten into the tournaments both FLW and BASS, but I just can't stand Bill Dance. He doesn't teach you anything, its the same show over and over. About the only thing you learn from his shows is that you can catch huge fish in private ponds, where presentation doesn't matter. You would think that OLN would have a responsibility to step in and say something about how he handles fish, it's pretty rediculous if you ask me. At least other shows like Hank Parker, Rollin Martin, even Charlie Moore have some educational value to them. Dance just sits in his Tracker boat, with his Stren fishing line, on Quantum gear bassically shooting fish in a barrel. That's not really helping anyone.[/quote

If you ask me 95% of the fishing shows on tv are not very educational in my opinion. They might say a little bit here and there but mostly just promoting products so you really can't hold that aginst bill dance he's just doing what the majority is doing.. As far as private ponds are concerned  presentation matters just like any other body of water. I'm not defending him here as well I would like to see him fish more public waters more There might not be hardly any fishing pressure as some of the the big public waters but you still have to put some effort into it. As far a fish handling there is alot of room for improvement  on quite a few anglers part that we see on tv I'm not defending him on this but he sure ain't the only one doing it.  About the only one I really like to watch is show with Kvd and even at that he still is promoting for strike king or bass pro but does manage to throw in some tips.  Anymore I rate fishing shows right up there with the home shopping channel only difference is you see some fishing.

Public waters or private you will see the same show. Peripheral nonsense such as other boats and such are going to be edited out. Fishing shows are not created in 22 minutes. I have been on shows that have taken from 2 to 5 days to create. As for where the fishing occurs: It is only going to be mentioned if it is relavant to the show.

On one show in particular I spent 5 days making a production for OLN. Also working on the project were 2 camera men, Bob Wheeler (President of R.Wheeler Productions) and Klay Shorthouse whose experience includes filming "Fishing with Roland Martin", and 3 years as camera men for Bill Dance. I tend to believe their stories far more than any wild conjecture.

Agreed not a fan of how he handles the fish, but I do enjoy watching any fishing show. I usually pick up some tid-bit of information along the way.  I do wonder what it would be like pulling in hwg after hawg and getting paid for it!!!!!!!!!

George Welcome

Please read post #24

I like Bill Dance. He seams like a great person. I dont blame him for fishing in private ponds. Catching fish is a great way to get viewers and promote products. I enjoy fishing ponds because their is usually great action. For me the privater, the better.  As far as harming the fish, I think that bass are farely tough. What bothers me though, is pulling a big bass off it's bed and taking it far away, where it can no longer protect it's young.  

You guys slay me - how the heck do you know where he is fishing? For those of you commenting, I guess you would rather watch a half hour of no fish caught.

You happen to be talking about the Gentleman of Gentlemen in this fishing game. Perhaps if you knew him and even a little bit about what he knows about fish and fishing you wouldn't be so quick to rattle your gums.

Thanks RW for that bit of insight that you threw these guys.

As for how he handles fish: perhaps you should spend a few hours with "fishery biologists" on a shock boat and watch the handling of fish. I didn't see any complaints about the handling of tournament fish. Have you ever watched a Bassmaster's weigh in?

I am not compassionate about the argument, but I tend to be with George and his view on this subject.

I too find the way BD handles the fish upsetting > But most of the fishing show personalities are the same way if not to that extreme. All fishing shows are done to show them catching fish, watching 30 min. of two guys in a boat only catching one or two fish would be realistic but not very fun to watch.

Canadian Plug ;D ... I'm still a big fan of Real Fishing with Bob Izumi 8-)

"Finger nails on a chalk board" .... That's a good way of describing how it feels to me too. I don't know much about the biology bass, but it sure does look like it's uncomfortable for the bass.

well im sure having a hook through its mouth isnt to comfortable either, but yes ur right its not the best way to hold a fish

and like the other guy said about fishing in private lakes. anyone with zero fishing expernce can go to a private lake and catch big bass, so its not really very impressive. maybe if he caught those fish in a high fishing pressured lake, then it would be pretty impressive. but of course people wanna see him catch fish , so theres a better chance of him catchin more and bigger fish in the private lakes

<soapbox>

To those who are upset about the fact that he fishes on small waters, private ponds, or whatever, what do you think he needs to prove by going out and fishing high pressured public waters?  Bill Dance has established through decades of fishing that he has tremendous knowledge and skill when it comes to bass fishing.

Also, without sponsorships, these shows can't exist.  I think we all understand that.  EVERY fishing show has sponsors, and the anglers that host those shows are obligated to promote the sponsor's products.  EVERY major fishing show I know of does this.  Bill Dance Outdoors, Jimmy Houston Outdoors, Hank Parker Outdoors, the Lindners, Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Pro Team Journal, the list goes on and on.

Bill Dance Outdoors is one of my favorite fishing shows.  To me, Bill Dance is like the Grandfather I never had.  As to the original subject of this thread, if you feel that strongly about the way you perceive that the fish are being mishandled, perhaps someone should put a polite post on the BDO forums when they come back up.

</soapbox>

I heard BD can film his entire season in a couple of weeks in his private hawg troph.

With that said....who can blame him!  Although I don't watch him anymore, he has long ago paid his dues and deserves a light duty semi retired fishing show.  

Regarding the locations of his filming, I really don't care.  I don't really care if I see some one catching a 1 pounder or a 10 pounder, I am more concerned with HOW he caught the fish.  What technique did he use, what lure, etc.  I know going into watching his show that he is probably fishing waters that most of the public will never get to fish so that really doen't bother me.  I think he has proved he can catch fish, even in tough conditions, by his record early in his career.  But like I said, I watch those kinds of shows to pick up on techniques and tricks but I still hate the way he feels the need to stick his hand in the gills, even on the smaller fish he catches.