Personal Profile

Family Members: (Wife) Dianne; (Children) Bill Jr., Paul, Patrick, and Pamela

Tournament Information: 23 National Bass Titles; Bassmaster Classic Qualifier 8 out of 9 years and finished 2nd in 1973. Three time B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year – 1970, 1974 & 1977. Of 78 total B.A.S.S. entries, finished 64 times in the money. 7 wins, 8 times runner up, 6 third place, 40 top ten finishes (51% of tournaments entered) and 51 top 20 finishes (65%). In first 11 tournaments, was only out of the top 7 once. Won 7 of the first 17 events entered (41%).
• Retired from competition in 1980 at the age of 39.
• Credited with catching the first bass in B.A.S.S. history.
• Credited with popularizing the "Carolina Rig".

Other Honors & Awards: 2021 Honorary Doctorate of Natural Resources from the University of Tennessee in recognition of his decades of fishing instruction, television presence, tournament success and angling ambassador for the state of Tennessee, 2021 dedication from American country music singer/songwriter, Luke Bryan honoring with new song release, "Bill Dance", 2019 inducted into Memphis Sports Hall of Fame, 2014 Liberty Bowl/St. Jude Distinguished Citizen Award, International Game Fish Association Hall of Fame, 2006, Tennessee Wildlife & Fish Commission Lifetime Contribution Award, Male Professional Athlete of the Year, Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, 2006, President's Award, National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), National Water Safety Spokesman for the US Coast Guard, 2005, Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, 2001, US Army Corps of Engineers Commander's Achievement Award for Water Safety, 1999, inducted into the National Freshwater Hall of Fame, 1986 and 1978 Congressional National Water Safety Award.

Favorite Lake: Pickwick Lake, TN – Biggest Fish: (Bass) 14 lbs. 1 oz

Television Career: "Bill Dance Outdoors" has aired since 1968 with over 2000 shows in its history. Bill has produced over 36 educational videos and 12 audio educational tapes on a variety of subjects. His 4 hilarious out-take shows, or "Bloopers" have been aired all over the world. Bill Dance Outdoors airs on the Outdoor Channel; Bill Dance Saltwater airs on the Sportsman Channel.

List of Current Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, B.A.S.S., Tracker Boats, Nitro Boats, Mako Boats, Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, Rebel Lures, YUM Baits, Lindy, Bomber Lures, Heddon, Arbogast, Smithwick and Cotton Cordell, Zebco/Quantum, Gamakatsu Hooks, Garmin International, KastKing, Millennium Marine, Mossy Oak Fishing, The Original Fish Formula, Tennessee Department of Tourism, Power-Pole, Monster Marine Lithium Batteries, EGO Fishing, Florida's Space Coast and Rugged Shark Shoes.

Books: Bill has written eight books; Practical Black Bass Fishing; There He Is (The Art of Plastic Worm Fishing); Techniques on Bass Fishing; and Bass N' Objects, Bill Dance on Crappie, Bill Dance on Largemouth Bass, IGFA's 101 Freshwater Fishing Tips & Tricks and most recently Bill Dance Fish Tails. His articles have been published in most major outdoor magazines including Sports Afield, Field & Stream, Bassmasters, Outdoor Life, etc.

Newspapers: Over many years, Bill's accomplishments, techniques, and uncommon fishing savvy have been regularly publicized by the outdoor editors of most metropolitan daily newspapers across North America.

Promotional Work: American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Wounded Warriors, Arthritis Foundation, Make a Wish Foundation, Dreams Come True, Carl Perkins Child Abuse Center, Catch a Dream Foundation, Outdoor Dream Foundation, St. Jude Children's Hospital, Children's Museum, Ducks Unlimited, Sea World, Cypress Gardens, U.S. Forest Services, Tennessee Department of Tourism, the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Florida Game & Fish, Arizona Game & Fish, Mississippi Game & Fish, Louisiana Game & Fish, Alabama Game & Fish, Arkansas Game & Fish and Texas Parks & Wildlife, Sara Lee, Kroger Food Chains, Tyson Foods, Evan Williams Distillery, Anheuser-Busch, Du Pont (Agri Division), Banquet Foods, Underwood Meats, Bryan Foods, Keebler Company, Napa Auto Parts, Rancho Shocks, Auto Zone, and Champion Spark Plugs.

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