Top 10 AOY Profile: Kevin Cox

Rank: #3
Hometown: Goreville, Illinois
Favorite Lake: Coffeen Lake
Kayak / Setup: NuCanoe Unlimited with MotorGuide Xi3 and Lowrance Eagle Eye 9

Season Highlights

Kevin Cox’s 2025 season proved that steady execution and mental flexibility can go a long way. His defining moment came at Newton Lake, where everything clicked and he brought home the win. The victory cemented his spot near the top of the Angler of the Year standings and showcased his ability to adapt quickly to changing patterns.

On the Water

Kevin fishes with focus but avoids tunnel vision. His tournament mindset centers on staying mobile and reading the fish rather than forcing a plan to work. As he puts it, he never lets himself “get stuck in a rut.” That adaptability—combined with patience and a quiet confidence—kept him competitive in every event.

Favorite Techniques

Cox leans on simple but deadly tools: a 4-inch flippin’ tube and a finesse jig. Both baits allow him to adjust presentation speed and target fish from shallow cover to mid-depth structure, giving him consistent results across a wide range of SIKC waters.

Memorable Moment

Among a season of highlights, one moment stood out beyond the scoreboard: being chosen for the Pineapple Award—a lighthearted but meaningful honor within the SIKC community that recognizes camaraderie and sportsmanship as much as on-the-water success.

Goals for 2026

Kevin’s goals are straightforward but ambitious: crack the Top 5 in AOY again and win the Bassmaster Kayak Classic. Off the water, he’s focused on self-improvement and keeping his priorities grounded—“be the best me and put God first, and everything else will fall into place.”

About the Series

This article is part of the SIKC Top 10 Angler of the Year Spotlight, a winter feature celebrating our 2025 Top 10 finishers and their stories on and off the water.

Follow the full series at sikcfishing.org.