Marine veteran builds custom fishing rods for Gold Star families
Marine Veteran Matt Moore, owner of Hellbender Outfitters, builds custom fishing rods for Gold Star families and veterans in Eastern Tennessee. Moore shares his personal journey, revealing how nature provided healing after military service. He emphasizes the importance of passing down durable fishing rods that tell a story, connecting individuals with the outdoors to support mental well-being and honor fallen heroes’ families.
Jack Story didn’t walk across the stage at his high school graduation. He was too busy winning $100,000.
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The 18-year-old Georgia angler made the decision earlier this year to skip his graduation ceremony and compete in the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American on Lake Murray. Looking back now, it doesn’t sound like he lost much sleep over it.
Jack Story, 18, skipped his high school graduation and became the youngest-ever winner of the 43rd annual Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) All-American Championship. (Photo courtesy of Jack Story)
During a recent interview with OutKick Outdoors, Story said he originally qualified through a regional tournament and “never really expected” to make it to the All-American. But once he found out the tournament landed on the same day as graduation, the choice was pretty simple.
“I was going fishing, and they could either be accommodating or not,” Story said. “Thankfully, they were very helpful with it.”
His school wasn’t completely thrilled, though. Story said the headmaster and others at the school “handled it about as well as they could have,” even if they would have preferred to see him in a cap and gown.
Still, some tried to make him reconsider.
“One of my teachers kind of hinted that I should be at graduation,” Story said. “But it just wasn’t even an option.”
Watch Jack Story’s full interview with OutKick Outdoors here:
Story went on to win the All-American and the $100,000 prize that came with it. He also qualified for REDCREST 2027 and the Toyota Series Championship — a pretty strong consolation prize for missing a graduation ceremony.
Still, even weeks later, he said the whole thing feels surreal.
“It was so stressful during the tournament that I think it was a huge relief, but I also didn’t even know what to do,” Story said. “The feeling of accomplishment doesn’t even register. Looking back on it, it doesn’t feel real.”
The win also came with a little family bragging rights.
Story’s dad previously fished the All-American and finished 34th. So yes, beating him was somewhere on the checklist.
“I thought that was going to be pretty easy given the lake it was on,” Story said.
A 7 pound largemouth bass is held against a backdrop of cypress trees. (Getty: JLFCapture)
But that wasn’t the only goal. Story said he wanted to beat the other two anglers from his regional and keep advancing. Instead, he ended up winning the whole thing.
His dad’s advice has always been simple: If you’re going to do something, go all in. That applied to fishing, too.
“If I wanted to skip school to go fish, I was at least going to actually fish,” Story said. “His thing was, if you’re going to fish, you’re going to fish all day. Just dedicate yourself to it.”
That mindset mattered at Lake Murray. Because Story’s victory was anything but smooth.
The final day came down to 10 ounces, and Story said he knew it was going to be close. What made it worse was the fact that he had already been hit with penalties after issues with his livewells and oxygen tank.
“I was really stressed out about the fact that I could lose because of penalties,” Story said. “I’d rather lose by 10 pounds than lose by any sort of penalty.”
In other words, this was not some easy stroll to a giant check.
“No, very far from,” Story said.
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There was also the added pressure of chasing history. Now the tournament’s youngest winner ever, Story broke a 15-year record previously held by Jacob Wheeler — one of the biggest names in the sport.
Unfortunately, Story found out about the record before the tournament was over.
“I honestly wish I would have figured that out after, rather than the night of day two,” Story said. “Somebody texted me, and I was like, ‘Dude, that is not what I needed.’ It made it more stressful because instantly, that became my goal.”
Since the win, Story said life has included more interviews, podcasts and attention. But mostly, it has included more fishing.
He had a rough finish in a high school tournament shortly after the All-American, and that did not sit well with him.
“I hate losing in fishing, especially when it’s to one of my friends,” Story said. “I’ve got to get my get-back, if that makes sense. I want to go beat them again the next day. I just want to fish, and I want to win.”
Story is headed to Carson-Newman, where he plans to fish in college. He is also considering fishing the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals if he can make the schedule work.
“Might as well,” he said.
For other kids who want to get into competitive fishing, Story said persistence matters. So does helping parents understand that fishing can create real opportunities, including scholarships.
“I don’t think people really realize that you can get a scholarship for fishing,” Story said. “If you dedicate yourself and put in the constructive work to get there, I think it’s easier than people make it seem. You just have to know how to do it.”
A fisherman holds a fishing rod by a lake during sunset in an outdoor setting. (scyther5 / Getty Images)
More than that, Story said fishing gave him something positive to pour himself into.
“I’m out of trouble because I fish,” he said. “It keeps you out of trouble. You’re doing something outdoors. It’s good.”
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And even after winning $100,000 at 18 years old, Story is already thinking about helping more kids get on the water.
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“I really enjoy taking the younger generation fishing,” Story said. “I think every kid deserves the opportunity to fish, and that’s that.”
We couldn’t agree more.
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