Top 10 AOY Profile: Jerry Bryson

Rank: #5 (Tied)
Hometown: St. Joseph, Illinois
Favorite Lake: Cedar Lake
Kayak / Setup: Recon Wilderness 120 HD Pedal

Season Highlights

With an easygoing attitude and a focus on enjoying the sport, Jerry Bryson turned in another impressive season, finishing tied for 5th in the 2025 SIKC Angler of the Year standings. His highlight came at Cedar Lake, where he finished 3rd overall — made even better by the fact that his son Nick took 2nd. Sharing the podium with family made the day one he won’t forget.

On the Water

Jerry’s tournament philosophy is refreshingly simple: just go fishing and don’t take it too seriously. He knows that when he treats it like work, the joy fades — and he fishes best when he’s having fun.

Favorite Techniques

Bryson keeps his tackle straightforward but effective. His confidence baits include a wacky worm for finesse fishing and a chatterbait for covering water when the bite is aggressive.

Memorable Moment

Jerry’s favorite moments this season weren’t tied to trophies, inches, or standings — they were tied to time spent fishing with his son, Nick. Whether in practice or competition, those shared days on the water are what fuel his love for kayak fishing.

Goals for 2026

Jerry’s next goals are clear: win a tournament and catch a 22-inch bass. With the consistency he’s shown, both are well within reach.

Off the Water

Away from tournaments, Jerry enjoys spending time with his family, keeping the balance between fishing and home life that grounds him as both an angler and a father.

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/.