HPHS Angler Captures Spot on All-American Team

Dylan Sorrells, now a senior, began competitive fishing in seventh grade

Highland Park ISD senior Dylan Sorrells is reeling in top honors for his angling skills.

Sorrells recently became one of only 12 high schoolers from around the country to be named to the 2024 Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team.

He was the only student from Texas to make the cut and will be honored in March at the 2025 Bassmaster Classic in Fort Worth.

“I felt really accomplished that I was able to put in that much hard work and get rewarded for it in such a way,” he said. “I’ve been trying to get it for a while now, and to finally get it is something really special.”

Sorrells’ All-American honor caps off a year of incredible fishing wins. One of the most significant came at a 2023 Texas High School Bass Association event at Lake Lewisville, where Sorrells and partner Cullum Brown finished first in a field of more than 250 boats. 

Between 2023 and 2024, Sorrells, fishing solo and with Brown, snagged an additional five wins, most in fields of at least 140 teams, and landed seven top 5 finishes, and 11 top 20 finishes.

Sorrells, who became the first college athlete from the HP Bass Team when he committed to the University of Montevallo in December, attributed his success to dedication, love of the sport, and painstaking research.

“A lot of people think fishing is just purely luck, and that’s not the case at all,” he said. “Most of the time, there’s luck involved. But your game plan for the day, I’d say your skill too, is probably a bigger factor than luck.”

Sorrells typically spends about 20 hours a week on the water, a number that goes up in summer when he can be out for 10 to 12 hours a day. Before a tournament, Sorrells breaks down a lake and maps out his strategy. Bait needs to be dropped in precisely the right spot to attract fish.

“I really like the challenge of it. I like how it’s not super easy,” he said. “I like how you have to work for it. And then once it actually goes your way, it’s super-rewarding.” 

Since he started bass fishing competitively in seventh grade, Sorrells has become known for his consistency in a sport that challenges athletes to compete in varying conditions and lakes around the state.

Sorrells and Brown have won 12 Texas High School Bass Association tournaments, which association officials believe is a career record. Sorrells and partners have also won close to $100,000 in prize money.

And Sorrells isn’t just making waves on the water. He’s president of the Highland Park Bass Fishing Team and the team’s vice president of community service. 

He has spent more than 300 hours during three summers volunteering at the Florida Fantasy Fishing Camp, where he helps educate young anglers and promote conservation.

“He is well-respected by teachers, coaches, and teammates for his integrity, drive, and unwavering commitment to excellence,” said Max Hawsey, a teacher and coach at HPHS. “Dylan is not only an elite angler, but he embodies qualities of a true sportsman.”