Top 10 AOY Profile: Wil Abbott

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.