Top 10 AOY Profile: Nate Barto

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.