Top 10 AOY Profile: Dustin Siegel

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.