1974 Bassmaster Classic

Angler of the Year Bill Dance takes center stage in this 1974 Bassmaster Classic video. The 29 best bass fishermen in the world compete for $15,000 during the three-day tournament on Joe Wheeler lake in Alabama.

[@shawnbeck2303]

This is a little bit before the Redman Tournament's. My Father traded 5 skeet Shotguns. For a down payment on a 16 ft V Bottom Aluminum boat and trailer and a 40 Johnson engine. His high powered Mopar station wagons were used to pull this rig around the Midwest to fish in anything that held water. I was 10 years old in 1970. We read all the magazines on Bass fishing we could get our hands on. For ten straight years. My Dad and I acted like we were fishing Bass Touraments every time we went out. We had the Hats the Jacket's and the tackle hard and soft. Plus the rod's and reel's of the day. We watched every T.V. show on Bass fishing we could find too. Those were some great memories for me. I love to watch videos of the fishing back then. I miss my Father alot. He passed away in 1996. He was only 60 then. This last year after turning 60 myself I decated the year to catching bass every month for the year. It truly was a great experience. When on December 11 2020. I caught two bass back to back. A 5 pounder and 3 pounder Large mouth's on a Sexy Shad 1.5 KVD squarebill cranks. I had reached my goal. I stood and cried at the edge of the pond. Looking back on incredible year of fishing. Thanks, Dad for taking me fishing and keeping me out of harm's way. Love your son Shawn.

[@ShawnNichols79]

That was an awesome story and I’m sure you dad is looking down on you with as big of a smile as can be!

[@saskatchewansporting6190]

Life can be a beautiful thing. Memories like these of your’s of your father make life something to cherish.

[@KyleSilva1990]

And im sure you've grown up to be a good person, productive member of society, Hard working, family man, who values life and loves his family, Fishing isn't just something to do for fun, its a lifestyle. The things that come with it are those morals and values which are disappearing so much in todays world. I no one thing for sure though, ill be raising my 2 daughters and my boy on the water fishing and in the hills hunting. Odds are they will grow up to be good men, women, mothers and fathers in this crazy world. loved this story man, brought me back to my childhood with my father. Instead of a bass boat though we were floating down the rivers in the Pacific Northwest chasing steelhead and salmon, But don't think i didn't ever fish like i was Roland Martin, Bill Dance or any of the fishing figures we all idolized.

[@jefflatham7722]

Have you found any information on the red man tournament my dad won the tournament at lake seminole, I was 10 years old ?

[@kennylauderdale_en]

There will never ever be another bass angler like Bill dance.

[@amjustsomeone2372]

The newer generation of bass fishing has brought some serious legends into the game, people who set world and state records. But still yet, no one can beat bill dance.

[@JS-oy6nn]

I grew up as a kid watching “Bill Dance Outdoors” I’m going fishin’ with bill dance today.!!! Would watch it on Saturday morning and then hit the lake myself. That was my hero when I was 10-14 years old. 30 odd years pass and I still love fishing more than anything.

[@MaeMaeWillis]

The great ones😅

[@tombob4002]

this is 1000× beter than any modern youtube video its so innocent like a child

[@duanetheimer7215]

They never knew at the time the foundation they were laying for the future of bass fishing. Just a bunch of good ol boys doing what they love.

[@alvinwine5665]

They sure hooked me backthen

[@weaintfree]

Duane VERY TRUE

[@jeremygilreath224]

It has came a long ways without a doubt

[@MaeMaeWillis]

❤

[@Imur_Huckleberry]

This should be called Bassmaster Legends.

[@BobbyLunsford83]

Bill Dance Outdoors was the first fishing show I ever watched. Didn't have a dad to teach me so thank you Bill

[@nucks4life11]

Same dude. Saturday mornings Bill Dance, Roland Martin, Orlando Wilson, in fisherman.

[@Bgo909]

Perfectly fits my exact situation! Bill fathered my fishing as well..

[@ericj8046]

What an easier time Beer Bass and Smokes..Love it.

[@jerad4336]

I would love to see a current bass master classic that used those old boats and technology.

[@MaeMaeWillis]

absolutely

[@Bgo909]

You are the hero of many young men who grew up watching and following your fine career, Mr Bill Dance, WE ALL LOVE AND RESPECT YOU GREATLY SIR..🫡

[@kylemolletfishing9123]

Before my time, me being born in '84, but it should be "required reading" for all students of bass fishing so we know were our roots come from. Too much is lost in the fast paced, high tech world we live in today; and this is a refreshing look back at where the sport that we love comes from.

[@eoj1001]

Classic in the fall, flying to the lake together finding out where after in the air. 10lbs of tackle to possibly fish anywhere. All boats an rigged exactly the same. This was the golden age of bass tournaments. Its been down hill ever since turned into a circus. Sad. There's more to bass fishing than chasin the spawn. 2 dollar entry fee winner take all, then the winner required to buy every angler a RC cola an Moon Pie. That's a classic tournament.

[@MaeMaeWillis]

it was the best

[@88vandal1]

I was born in '70, and my dad collected Bassmaster magazine up until around 1995 or 1997. Would love to have that collection now.

[@nickrobinson5352]

This is cool footage and history that make me want to fish more than I already did

[@ronbusa3735]

Absolutely so true

[@OrilliaFishing]

Watching Roland Martin back in the day... he acts EXACTLY like his son! Awesome to see.

[@juststatinfactssv4989]

I think his son tries to act like him, and he's failing. I've been around him quite abit and he acts like a spoiled brat. He was born into bass royalty.

[@danielbeavers8701]

Roland was the most dominant angler ever and it's not close. Some people will say kvd is the best ever but no one dominated there era like Roland. Yea he missed a few of the big trophy's but look at his records. Not to mention he didn't have all the advantages of today. I love the Martin's

[@danielbeavers8701]

@@juststatinfactssv4989 you must not be around him a hole lot. He is one of the nicest guys in the sport. I've seen him take time to meet people that he didn't have to. Yea he is rich but fldont judge him off that. I get why you think that but honestly you have to understand he gets people coming up to him all the time. Yea he is all about sponsorship but isn't all of them. Trust me he is one of the nicer guys in the sport. Hell IAM a fan of Mike iconeli but talking about spoiled brats huh lol! Scott's a good dude. Like you said he was born into it. So for someone who has not had to go without he actually is a good hearted dude. Most of these guys want give you the time of day and in fact would tell you to get the hell on somewhere because they were in a tournament. Scott will stop and talk to you in the middle of the tournament. Yea sometimes it's not straight from the heart. But if me and you were in his shoes we wouldn't be any different. Like I said I know exactly why you think that but it's actually not the case. He is one of the good guys.

[@danielbeavers8701]

@@juststatinfactssv4989 how is he failing. He is one of the best in the sport and has won over 3 million dollars. just because you're born into something doesn't make you a bad person. Yea most people like that are snobs. But he actually is a good dude

[@raycedennen5891]

85 HP and 16 ft. How about those lowrance depth finders 😂. A LONG way from today's electronics. These men were the Real Deal.

[@jimmycline4778]

My step dads boat was 14ft with a 25 Johnson, a 16ft with a 85hp back then was the shi#t back then!

[@nickk4319]

Couldn’t agree more. I heard that and thought “wow I wouldn’t have caught shit in 1974” 😂

[@millsoutdoors8555]

@@jimmycline4778 that’s what I still use

[@StreetSouljaz1]

True anglers these gentlemen are and were. I believe they would run circles around the bass anglers of today

[@randymiller3949]

This brings back some GREAT GREAT memories. Back in 1975 my dad had a 16ft Eldo-Craft bass boat with a Johnson 50hp motor just like these boats being used. He bought it at Helm's Marine in Dothan Alabama in 1975. I was 6 yrs old & remember me & him going to pick it up after Helm's took the stick-steering out of it & replaced it with a console cable steering. Much love from Mobile Alabama.

[@FishHeadBiologist]

This was back in the day when a 30 minute fishing show was 25 minutes of fishing and 5 minutes of advertising. Now it's 10 minutes of fishing and 20 minutes of advertising.. :(

[@sammyvh11]

Lots more ads on You Tube too....only a matter of time before they charge you for YT.

[@monicanorman9176]

Right on!

[@BassmasterOfficial]

Actually it's a 1 hour show and 45 minutes of fishing.

[@ShawnNichols79]

@@sammyvh11 I pay $15.99 a month now to get no ads on KZbin. So technically they have been charging for a while but it’s definitely worth it as much as I watch it

[@Mjones8383]

@@ShawnNichols79 download an ad blocker, it's free

[@c-notevegas9937]

Bill Dance was the uncle I always wish I had growing up in the inner city! Thank you bro

[@JohnSumner13]

This is incredible. How is it possible that 15 people don't like this? What is there not to like?

[@ChrisSmith-hi6wn]

This is great! I am going back through from the 1st bassmasters classic and going to watch them all! It is absolutely amazing to see how this sport has transformed along with all the tech, gear and boats. Thank you so much Ray Scott for bringing this sport to all of us to enjoy!

[@MaeMaeWillis]

Thank you so much

[@billwilliamson5753]

This shows how much electronics transformed fishing catch sizes. One thing that has stayed the same is fish conservation. Hats off to all y'all.

[@jeffreyyeater1780]

My dad was one of those guys for sure , beer , smokes etc. Awesome dad.

[@dwaynegreene152]

Great outdoorsman. Great angler and a class act. I love this guy

[@brianneff3219]

I agree Bill Dance is the best. Its my favorite fishing show of all time. I love the opening song. 🎣

[@marvinhesler321]

Bill dance you are to me the greatest of all bass fishing lcons..you are a great teacher of a great sport..thanks you have taught me to be a good fisherman..and now my grandsons..may God richly bless you and your family !!!

[@stephenkessel1990]

Cant say it any better ✌

[@danluther1741]

This was magical!! I was 9 when this happened & discovered Bass fishin' only a couple years later! My heros in action!!!

[@HuntHardFishHard]

I’ve met you Bill about 5 times, always had time for your young fans, thanks for the inspiration and lessons learned. I love these old bass tournament videos!

[@justinm4348]

Watched 73, watching 74, and i see 75 in my recommended list. I hope theres videos like this for every year up to 2018!

[@jeffreyyeater1780]

I was 12 at this time and remember all this stuff. Would have killed for a boat like those. Great , great memories.

[@stephenkessel1990]

Wheres Virgal Ward at?

[@andywilliamson7846]

@@stephenkessel1990 Virgil Ward passed away in 2004. He only fished 3 B.A.S.S. tournaments and was never in a Bassmaster Classic.

[@RealisticFishing]

I love these old BASS videos!

[@FatBoyDan]

me to

[@zulfikranzulmos4066]

@@FatBoyDan me too

[@JBird401]

I love how they all blasted off at the same time and used a gun to start the tournament. Haha That was awesome! I wish every tournament still started off like that

[@MaeMaeWillis]

I was there

[@whiteriverangler9670]

WOW! Look at those bass boats. I cant imagine. Look how far technology has come.

[@CorySmith-eh6ux]

I’m 53. Remember watching Bill Dance every Saturday morning in Hobbs,NM. NO BASS FISHING, Dad would drive us almost every weekend to Carlsbad, NM to go Catfishing on the Pecos River. Later after my 6 years in the Military as a Combat Medic and Paratrooper, Mom and Dad had Retired at 49 Y/o Dad bought a 1990 Skeeter with a 50 Hp Yamaha Motor. We started Bass fishing. Caught several 5 pounders over the next 20 years. Along with Sand Bass, Catfish, and Stripers on the Arkansas River. We would go to Heber Springs, Arkansas every winter for a couple of days to do some Trout fishing on the little Red River. Lost my Dad on April 24th of last year He made his 80th Birthday. Nam Vet. Miss you Pops!!

[@ziggyblue782]

In 1974 Roland Martin (34yrs old) was fishing in a bass tournament while a man in a boat used a typewriter to report about the event. Today Roland Martin (79 yrs old) is using KZbin to make fishing videos and flying a drone to capture more elaborate shots of his day on the water. Lol Awesome video, I wish there a lot were more like it.

[@tombob4002]

i would of lived 2 b alive back then those were the good old days b4 all this social media crap

[@audio8493]

tom bob I am in the same boat. I like social media but comments are toxic and just bring out the worst in people. Not a fan. But for things like this it is awesome.

[@alvinwine5665]

That time was of my youth it was simpler times back therm and good fishing

[@222colty]

This is awesome they put these on here

[@terryporche8745]

Bass master Ranger boat rigged out for $3995. Sentry oxygen monitor had one, caught fish where you had good oxygen. I remember those great days.

[@aslmx8320]

The dude smoking the pipe was cool.

[@andywilliamson7846]

Glin Wells of Greenbrier, Tennessee.

[@FatBoyDan]

love the older shows showing the world where it all began

[@darryladams519]

Can always count on Bill Dance for some great bloopers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@lkeith88]

I can remember watching Bill Dance as a kid all the time. My Dad took me to two Classics in the 90s, both in Birmingham. He had an old boat at the time close to these. I remember walking in and getting Bill's anf Hank Parker's autographs along with Fish Fishburn's! I had some birthday money and bought a brand new abu 5500, just like Dad's. The weigh-in even then was mind boggling to a podunk boy from south Bama. Wasn't long after that my dad got a better job and upgraded to a charcoal and red colored Randallcraft with a 115 Evinrude on the back with red carpet. Had a depth finder, some other little gadget to help you decide on color selection. I figured there couldn't have been a cooler boat or Dad on the water anywhere below the Claiborne dam. Amazing to see how far bass fishing has come.

[@kevinashby4847]

What a great video of the great BASS. Before everyone got on the bandwagon. Saw some of the Pillars of the sport.

[@JonHawaii2003]

I just bought a 1977 Caddo. Pretty much identical to those boats. even has original trolling motor and 85HP Evinrude

[@codym8897]

In 1975, Lee Wolfe Productions produced a short film entitled Angler of the Year, presented by Miller High Life. In this short film, Bill Dance talks about taking center stage in the 1974 Bassmaster Classic; won by Tommy Martin, naming Dance an Angler of the Year.

[@DoingStuffChannel]

Dope beats and epic drone footage! SUBBED!

[@AxeManandOldGuyFishing]

2:20 comedy is top notch to.

[@audio8493]

Haha! I love the bill dance videos. I try watching the young guys youtube videos and they just get on my nerves. All the fancy music and videos, cuts and edits although impressive, simple is my taste.

[@mattsprayberry0]

Well its most likely helicopter footage given the technology of the time.

[@Andrew-er5cf]

The good days!

[@tommyarnold7040]

I love bill damn dance.. my man ..💪

[@texteb]

Would love to see a tournament like that again!!!

[@MaeMaeWillis]

me too

[@loucifer323]

Loved those pistol grip casting rods hard to find now a day's

[@stephenzeppenfeldt221]

That was so cool to watch.

[@peghead]

I still use Ambassadeur and Lew's Speed Spools from the mid to late 70's today. I love 'em because my heroes like Houston, Martin, Klunn and Dance used them when I took up Bass fishing in 1975. Remember, these men didn't have the electronics and remote-control trolling motors W/spot-lock, not to mention Power Poles so prevalent today. They may have had contour maps, Humminbird Flashers and it was common to see them steering their bow-mounted trolling motor with their foot on the handle. They were the true PIONEERS of the SPORT.

[@MaeMaeWillis]

good choice

[@hectormayoral443]

Oh this reminds me of my childhood!!

[@chadthiem8371]

lol all the boats porpoising glad we have that figured out now🤘🏼. great video to bring you back when it was truly sport. Bill Dance is #1 and always will be in the bass community 😊

[@BassmasterOfficial]

“When it was truly a sport”

[@scottowens940]

Just showed this to my friend and neighbor who owns a 75, gold metallic 16 ske. 2 lives original 70, kitten, every time we go to the lake have Lookers, they know,. Thumbs up for the originals

[@earlgarcia6106]

"I'm gonna have 6 beers and go to bed..." Title of my biography

[@sparky6086]

Couldn't get away with a comment like that these days!

[@timothyjudkins8557]

Daggum Bill Dance back in the day, that's gold! Lol

[@ChrisMcCutcheon-wj2pp]

Every child should know,safe fishing, safe hunting, gardening and how to can food, this should b taught in jr high, it was a way of life for us,

[@l.e.o.1127]

15k in 74 is a little over 80k today. Bill has always been my favorite.

[@danluther1741]

There all I still use!!

[@tcrouch51322]

Wow,I was eyes glued to this show.just so cool!

[@masterjedi5510]

Pipes, cigarettes and bass fishing, love it! I bet a handful of those old fishermen had a flask of grandpas special cough medicine stashed somewhere in their boat!! Lol

[@justhunt4691]

The true bass legend

[@traviscole3021]

such a great man

[@JohnnyRebKy]

I be damned. Wheeler is where my grandpa used to take us back in the 80s. I haven’t been on that lake in 30 years

[@Onethirtytwo]

If they release all the fish right by the dock after the tournament, that'd prolly be a good place to fish next year!

[@jaimeastin]

Great video to watch.

[@warrenscott9990]

I've gone fishing with Bill Dance today!

[@SkunkMonkey991]

That was awesome! Great show.

[@austinbassin4420]

Loved it! Things were so different, did you see him flick the cigarette in the lake ? Lol

[@DoingStuffChannel]

yep made me grin a little lol

[@nickheyd6417]

Austin Bassin' I did..lol. another classic he tAkes a pull and burns his line off..

[@CB500Xoo7]

Great video!

[@youngman2334]

2:20 his comedy was way ahead of its time..

[@MiloCrackerHead]

they fish so relaxed.

[@nickheyd6417]

Yes all calm poetic

[@jeffreyyeater1780]

They all drank miller.

[@SergeKnives]

Excellent! Looking forward to the next one.

[@JamesMcCutcheon]

JOE WHEELER lake is one of the toughest tournament lakes on the Tenn River Chain of Lakes.

[@kylemattix5561]

Black n white to us now, but can only imagine how beautiful that lake must have been, before everything

[@FatBoyDan]

Great Upload

[@kalvinkirkland4623]

They all had to drink a plenty of Miller HighLife in the evening to overcome the backaches from all the porpoising those boat had going on.

[@jasoncrites1912]

No kidding!

[@robwells5753]

Hes still my goto hero 💪

[@B1GE2]

I Really want them to do one tournament like this a year, only 10 pounds of tackle 1 practice day, 3 tournament days. The pro’s would lose their minds.

[@myboyfriend95]

to be honest, fishing lures really haven't advanced all that much since then

[@B1GE2]

@@myboyfriend95 I would bet some pros have single tackle trays that weigh more than 10 lbs

[@myboyfriend95]

@@B1GE2 all those gimmick lures n such

[@mauriciocampuzano6828]

Almost 50 years !

[@garylukas3476]

more please

[@Charles53412]

Al Lindner was in his first of three Classic Tournaments, placing 23rd I believe.

[@christopherflowers738]

I would to see how modern-day anglers would perform under those conditions. That would be hilarious. Just you, a rod, and your instincts.

[@pwrplnt1975]

I'd love to see people nowadays fish without their electronics.

[@kurttanner5855]

Great memories

[@Mid-Ohio]

The Goat 🐐 of 🎣

[@carriewheeler2745]

I want one of those crank baits so damn bad

[@UltimateNinja-fe6yh]

+Carrie Wheeler Ebay has em ;)

[@carriewheeler2745]

@@UltimateNinja-fe6yh well I hope there not too much cause I'm gonna go grab one

[@tyealexander]

The best in the world fishing for only 15K back then!

[@babywueso]

Equals 80k now, plus they do like 10 different tournaments, they could rack hp close to 500k a year just fishing

[@tylerplatts4151]

Crazy seeing the bass pulled out of the water.... They stay the same yet humans and technology have changed so much....

[@rawdawgandboofin2115]

You won't see moments like the angler falling in and landing the bass anymore on BassMaster. Thanks to live scope. Remember, Bass master use to sponsor everything. Just to find the best fisherman. Now it's all live scopes and you gotta go into 100k debt before your first cast just to compete.

[@xtraflo]

My father was a Semi-Pro Bass fisherman and he tried to get me to do the same. Growing up, I really didn't care about fishing. Now I'm 44yo and can't believe I never even bothered to try and take my Dad's offer....

[@1977raider]

My home state of Alabama but I've never fished that lake before

[@trigga31]

That was intense

[@WarzolJR]

Bill Dance had hair????? This must have been before Roland Martin ripped it all out with that popper/jig rig fishing for speckled trout in the everglades.

[@arnoldbeaty9321]

LOL!!!!

[@stephenkessel1990]

LOL 🤘✌

[@briantherion5464]

Bill didn't have his Color-C-Lector yet!!!!

[@mfarmer7944]

10lbs of tackle that’d be interesting between rods reels and lures

[@richardjohnson4238]

Oh boy! Those boats, the shotgun starts, the jump suits, the haircuts and sideburns. I was 22 years old and was just starting to chase those little green fish myself. Was it really that long ago?

[@coreytriplett2739]

bill love ya

[@aimtrue4540]

Mr. Morris at 5:32...future billionaire...

[@sargemarine3709]

What I would do for a couple of dozen Mann's Hard Worms !! LOL

[@georgegeorge1560]

Haha first clip was gold