High school angler is Iowa’s first All-American

OUTDOORS: FISHING

Cedar Falls’ Moore 1 of 12 to make top high school fishing team

By Doug Newhoff, correspondent CEDAR FALLS — With seven victories, a state championship and a strong showing at nationals the past two seasons, high school bass angler Kael Moore is a proven champion on the water.

Now he's been recognized as one of the nation's best off the water, as well. Moore, a junior at Cedar Falls High, is one of 12 elite anglers from across the country recently named to the 2024 Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team. It's an honor that recognizes his prowess with a rod in his hand, but also his contributions in the community and accomplishments in the classroom.

He is the first Iowa angler to be named Bassmaster All-American since the team was established in 2015.

“I was sitting at lunch (Nov. 22) and I got an email from B.A.S.S.,” Moore said. “I was in complete shock.

“It's gratifying and humbling, especially being from Iowa. Most of the guys who made the top 12 are from like Tennessee, Florida, Texas, and stuff. Being all the way from Iowa feels great, representing a smaller state not really known for people who come out to fish.”

Moore's credentials speak volumes. At Cedar Falls High, he's an honor roll student with a 4.0 GPA who participates in football, wrestling and track and field. He also makes time to volunteer for habitat improvement projects, cleanup efforts on local bodies of water, trout stocking events, youth fishing days, Boy Scout occasions and whatever he can do for his church and the Northeast Food Bank. Meanwhile, Moore holds down a part-time job, too.

“That's kind of what All-American is about,” he said.

To become an All-American, Moore first had to be nominated and named to the Iowa allstate team. There were more than 300 nominations from 31 states. A panel of judges selected 45 anglers as all-staters with 47 more earning honorable mention.

Moore is joined on the Iowa all-state team by Brodie Scott of Center Junction while Kaden Dorman of Lake City, Marshall Nesheim of Johnston, Grant Nore of Grimes and Tyson Rauser of Ankeny were honorable mention.

A second panel of judges reviewed the group of all-staters and selected the 2024 All-American team.

The All-American team has been invited to the 2025 Bassmaster Classic in Fort Worth, Texas, where they will be honored on stage during the biggest event in bass fishing on Lake Ray Roberts and get a chance to meet some of the sport's biggest names. The complete agenda and details for the Classic have yet to be announced.

“I've always wanted to go there,” Moore said. “I was thinking about it last year after seeing some people from Iowa go. I was thinking, maybe someday. I never thought I'd have a chance to go there and especially get up on that stage.”

Moore has one more season of high school fishing where he hopes to qualify for his fifth and sixth national championship events.

Then it's on to college somewhere.

“I don't know where yet, but I know I want to go somewhere with a fishing team and a school for architecture,” he said.

When that day comes, he'll leave a growing legacy at Cedar Falls. Moore was one of the aspiring anglers who helped get the Cedar Falls program started while he and his tournament partner, Lane Weichman, have established a lofty level of success.

“It's cool that Iowa is being recognized,” said Carter Moore, Kael's father and one of the coaches for a rapidly growing team that is adding a youth level next spring. “The state of high school bass fishing is in a good place.”

Kael Moore shows off a hefty largemouth bass caught during a high school tournament. (Submitted photo)