Bill Dance Rod

[jasonballard]

My friend just "gave" me a Signature series Bill Dance Diawa baitcasting rod (pistol grip, 5 1/2 ft long, med heavy action). Anyone know anything about this rod or how much its worth? What is a good matching reel for it. I have a Shimano Cruzar which I have matched with a Shimano 6 1/2 ft rod and it is an awsome set up. Maybe another one?...

 

[JJ57103]

Re: Bill Dance Rod

Is the Bill Dance fishing pole like the "Budweiser Pool Cue"? Never used one, but Bill Dance will put his name on ANY product if the money's right. I'd be leary of it.

 

[wikelam]

Re: Bill Dance Rod

who cares what it is worth, it was free so try it and if ya like it keep using it.

 

[jasonballard]

Re: Bill Dance Rod

Really?!?! I've never thought of Bill Dance as a sell out. What products has he endorsed? Hey, I own a set of Bill Dance fishing videos from the 80's and they have helped me improve my fishing a lot. I haven't seen him try to sell anything before. I have considered him a stand up kind of guy.

 

[TexSkeeter150]

Re: Bill Dance Rod

My only concern would be how old the rod is. Bill has not been sponsored by Diawa for years, he now is with Zebco/Quantam. But a free rod is still a free rod.

 

[jasonballard]

Re: Bill Dance Rod

The reason I am curious is because the rod will need a few bent guides replaced and the tip. About a 30 dollar job at Tri Lakes. I don't want to spend a lot of money on a rod I am not going to like, so I was only asking just in case someone else has any opinions or has a similar rod. Plus I don't want to spend extra money for a reel if the rod is bad. The action is pretty stiff, which I like, but I have never owned anything so short or with the pistol grip.

 

[TexSkeeter150]

Re: Bill Dance Rod

The reason I am curious is because the rod will need a few bent guides replaced and the tip. About a 30 dollar job at Tri Lakes.

If that is the case I would bet you could get something new in a 6'6" trigger grip and newer technology for not much more than that.

 

[pmueller]

Re: Bill Dance Rod

Bill's nothing compared to Roland Martin. Roland's show should be classified as a 30 minute informercial.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Bill Dance Rod

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...18360&catalogCode=ID&parentId=&parentType=&ri d=&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fitem-link.jhtml.1_A&_DAV=search

 

[JJ57103]

Re: Bill Dance Rod

Catfishking,<br />I meant no disrespect. I really like to watch Bill Dance, he's quite amusing. I just meant that some of the products he endorses are, how shall I say, questionable. That would go for anyone as far as paid advertisements are concerned. Bill has used 'Crawler Links', 'Catfish dough balls', and of course the infamous 'banjo minnow' to name a few. Though, I did see someone firsthand catch a Walleye once on a Banjo(after several hours, btw), but watching Bill fish in his private lakes, a guy could throw out a spark plug with a treble hook on it and catch fish... Bill would endorse it too, if they paid him <br /><br />As for the rod, If it needs work, save your money and go spend 28 dollars on an Ugly Stick.<br /><br />Again, sorry if I ruffled any feathers, it wasn't my intention.

 

[jasonballard]

Re: Bill Dance Rod

My feathers weren't ruffled, really. I was only asking because I was unaware of the questionable products he has endorsed before. Hey, what the heck is a banjo minnow???

 

[JJ57103]

Re: Bill Dance Rod

It's a big rubbery minnow, quite realistic looking too. You use it in the water much as you would a Bass worm, weighted or unweighted, but jig it more charismatically. Cost like 30 bucks for a 'kit' - only available for a limited time, BUT WAIT, if you order now, you get TWO, count them TWO, Banjo kits for the price of one...

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Bill Dance Rod

roscoes link didn't work for me, but i did find the bill dance signature series quantum rods. this may not be the same series, but they are $49, starting with 6'... i feel the pros would put their name on anything for the sponsors $$$, but then i've caught fish on cheapo rods most of my life so you'd have a 'good' rod for $30. you can whip it alittle, tie a short piece of line and a 1/4oz weight and get an idea on how it feels, probably.<br /><br />but if you are looking for thoughts on a good use, i'd expect that length/grip to be what you'd like to use for 'up close' flipping under docks and hittin tiny holes at close range. i got away from pistol grips for heavy use-type(blanket casting/searching) rods. JMO

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: Bill Dance Rod

Any one that purchases "ANY" product, because of an endorsement by a pro is a fool. Money talks, buys loyalty, and can get you in trouble.