Top 10 AOY Profile: Larry Horne
Larry Horne secured a 7th-place finish in the 2025 SIKC AOY race with a standout runner-up showing at Sangchris Lake. His steady results, efficient fishing style, and straightforward approach made him one of the most consistent anglers of the year.
Rank: #7
Hometown: San Diego, California
Favorite Lakes: Sangchris Lake & Coffeen Lake
Kayak / Setup: Old Town Topwater 120 with Humminbird Helix 7
Season Highlights
Larry Horne’s 2025 season blended California composure with Midwestern grind. His standout moment came at Sangchris Lake, where he locked down a second-place finish—a result that propelled him solidly into the Top 10 for AOY. Whether fishing at Sangchris or Coffeen, Larry’s steady improvement all season showed the payoff of persistence and precision.
On the Water
Larry’s approach to tournament days revolves around covering water efficiently. His NK-180s allowed him to keep moving and adapt on the fly, maximizing time in productive areas. That blend of mobility and decision-making has become part of his signature style within the club.
Favorite Techniques
When it comes to bait choice, Larry keeps things straightforward and effective. His confidence baits include bladed jigs and Texas-rigged stick baits, tools that helped him find consistency across different conditions throughout the trail season.
Memorable Moment
Breaking the 90-inch mark for the first time was a personal milestone for Larry—a reminder that his time on the water is paying off and that he can hang with the best in SIKC competition.
Goals for 2026
Larry’s focus heading into next year is simple: win, chase AOY, and bring home more trophies. He’s also looking forward to upgrading to a new kayak to keep pushing his performance on the water.
About the Series
This feature is part of the SIKC Top 10 Angler of the Year Spotlight, a winter series highlighting the dedication and stories behind our 2025 Top 10 finishers.
Follow the full series at sikcfishing.org.
Top 10 AOY Profile: Wil Abbott
Wil Abbott closed out his rookie season strong, tying for 8th place in the 2025 SIKC AOY race after a breakout second-place finish at Newton Lake.
Rank: #8 (Tied)
Hometown: Granite City, Illinois
Favorite Lake: Newton Lake
Kayak / Setup: Native Titan X 12.5
Season Highlights
In only his first full year with the Southern Illinois Kayak Club, Wil Abbott made his mark with consistent performances across the trail — finishing tied for 8th in the 2025 AOY standings. His biggest moment came at Newton Lake, where he earned a strong second-place finish to close out the season.
On the Water
Wil’s tournament approach is built around adaptability. He starts with topwater baits, transitioning to chatterbaits and jigs as conditions change throughout the day. That flexibility paid off in the season finale and has quickly become his calling card among club anglers.
Favorite Techniques
Abbott’s go-to confidence bait is a Texas-rigged creature bait — a versatile presentation that he can throw around grass, wood, or deeper structure depending on the bite.
Memorable Moment
Wil still remembers his first SIKC event at Otter Lake — cold, tough conditions, and not knowing a soul. By the end of that day, he’d gained new fishing partners and found a community that would shape the rest of his season.
Goals for 2026
Looking ahead, Wil’s focus is on improving consistency and locking in full limits at every event. Off the water, he enjoys camping with his wife, fun fishing with friends, and simply spending time outdoors — keeping the sport fun while continuing to grow as a competitor.
About the Series
This feature is part of the SIKC Top 10 Angler of the Year Spotlight, a winter series celebrating the 2025 Top 10 finishers and their stories on and off the water.
Follow the full series at sikcfishing.org.
Top 10 AOY Profile: Dustin Siegel
Dr. Dustin Siegel capped off another memorable SIKC season with an 8th-place finish in the 2025 Angler of the Year race. Known for his dry humor, love of jigs and tubes, and unfiltered take on tournament life, Siegel’s approach to fishing is equal parts science, simplicity, and fun.
Rank: #8 (Tied)
Hometown: Newark, Ohio
Favorite Lake: St. Claire
Kayak / Setup: Hobie PA14 360 (“vomit green”)
Season Highlights
Dustin Siegel’s 2025 SIKC season was marked by humor, persistence, and a knack for keeping things interesting. Whether sharing the water or friendly banter with other anglers, Siegel’s highlight came while on the phone with fellow competitor Dalton Williams — listening to reports of big bites while he, in classic Dustin fashion, joked that all his seemed to measure twelve inches.
On the Water
When asked about strategy, Siegel admits that this year wasn’t one for overthinking. His approach was simple: stay patient, fish confidently, and let the results speak for themselves. His go-to confidence baits remain unchanged — jigs and tubes — a pairing he trusts enough to joke that if fish won’t bite them, “life gets hard.”
Memorable Moments
Among countless tournaments and pre-fishing trips, one memory still stands out: hooking into a near-22-inch smallmouth while pre-fishing with Darren and James a few years back. It’s the kind of catch that sticks in an angler’s head and keeps them chasing that next perfect day.
Off the Water
Away from the kayak, Siegel brings the same wit and curiosity to his professional life. A biologist by trade, he’s known for his research on salamander gonads — work he describes as “riveting.” He’s also never one to shy away from debate, famously campaigning to convince SIKC leadership that “a cold beverage” shouldn’t be off-limits during competition days.
About the Series
This article is part of the SIKC Top 10 Angler of the Year Spotlight, a winter feature celebrating the club’s 2025 Top 10 finishers and their stories on and off the water.
Follow the full series at sikcfishing.org.
Top 10 AOY Profile: Nate Barto
Nate Barto secured a Top 10 finish in the 2025 SIKC AOY standings through steady execution and confidence on the water. A finesse specialist with a laid-back style, Nate balances competition with family, hunting, and plenty of time outdoors.
Rank: #10
Hometown: Staunton, Illinois
Favorite Lake: Coffeen Lake
Kayak / Setup: Native Titan 10.5 and NuCanoe U10
Season Highlights
Nate Barto closed out his 2025 SIKC season with a calm, confident approach that earned him a Top 10 spot in the AOY race. One of his favorite moments came at Coffeen Lake, cheering on a friend’s Big Bass win—a reminder that competition and camaraderie can coexist on the same water.
On the Water
Nate’s tournament philosophy is simple: fish confidence baits and keep them in the water. That mindset defines his consistency. He doesn’t overcomplicate things—he focuses on presentation, precision, and staying patient when bites are scarce.
Favorite Techniques
Whether he’s fishing from the Titan or the NuCanoe, Nate relies heavily on finesse and subtlety. His go-to choices include a wacky-rigged Senko and Texas-rigged soft plastics, versatile tools that keep him in the game across changing lake conditions.
Memorable Moment
At Otter Lake, Nate hooked what might have been the fish of a lifetime. Skipping a wacky Senko under a tree, the water erupted when he set the hook. The fish peeled drag before snapping the line—a likely musky encounter. Nate laughs about it now, but he’s already planning to return in the spring for a rematch.
Goals for 2026
Looking ahead, Nate’s goal is to fish an entire tournament using only BFS gear—a challenge that will test finesse and focus. Off the water, he’s a family-first outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, time with his grandkids and dogs, and knocking items off his never-ending Honey-Do list—all while thinking about the next day on the water.
About the Series
This post is part of the SIKC Top 10 Angler of the Year Spotlight, a winter series celebrating our 2025 Top 10 finishers and their stories on and off the water.
Follow the full series at sikcfishing.org.