By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
Del Rio’s Ray Hanselman came up four pounds short of nabbing his first Bassmaster Elite title at the 2024 WhataBurger Bassmaster Elite at Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Al.
Hanselman ended the four-day tournament, held June 13-16, with 77 pounds while Palatka, Florida’s Cliff Prince ruled the tournament with 80 pounds and 15 ounces of largemouth bass.
While Prince walked away with a $100,000 check, Hanselman will deposit $35,000 with another $1,000 cash bonus.
At the end of the day Saturday, it looked like Sunday would be a
coronation of sorts for Prince, as he went into the final day with a 12-pound lead.
Hanselman was sitting in second going into Sunday with 53 pounds and 11 ounces.
However, although Hanselman and Prince are good friends on the tour, Hanselman decided to do what he could to stand in his friend’s way Sunday as they both were vying for their first Bassmaster tournament victory.
Hanselman outfished Prince Sunday, catching 23 pounds and 5 ounces of fish while Prince only caught 15 pounds and 2 ounces of fish, but due to the 12-pound head start, Prince was able to fend off his buddy.
It was Hanselman’s second second-place finish of his Bassmaster Elite Series career that started in 2018.
Hanselman and wife Misty agreed on one thing. Due to schedules, and the amount of time spent at tournament sites, it can be a bit expensive to take the entire family to the tournaments.
“We’re glad we decided to bring the boys to this one,” Misty said in a message to an 830 Times staff member during the tournament. “It’s great that we can all celebrate this finish together while we also celebrate Father’s Day.”
When Hanselman was being interviewed while he weighed in he began to tear up as he discussed how glad he was to have the entire family in Alabama.
“It’s great to have my boys out there,” he told the announcer and pointed to his sons Mason and MIles. “What a special day this is.”
One thing they’re not happy about is Hanselman is sitting nine spots out of qualifying for the Bassmaster Classic with three events left. The top 40 anglers qualify and Hanselman is presently 49th. However, he should move up when Sunday’s finish is weighed in.
If Hanselman is able to rally and make it into the Classic, it will be his third appearance in the Super Bowl of fishing.
Hanselman is sponsored by Bullseye Services, Viva Energy, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, Renault Tackle, 6th Sense Lures, Helicopter Pig Hunts, Minn-Kota, Boerne Marine and Humminbird Electronics.
The writer can be reached at JoelaLangton@gmail.com .
