Kayak Bass Connection

We caught up with SIKC angler Kendall Mezo as he gave a beginners' tutorial on crafting custom jigs and chatted about the upcoming tournament season.   The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club.  Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org 

The 2025 Tournament schedule for the Southern Illinois Kayak Club is announced first here!  Kayak Bass Anglers from Illinois, Missouri, and Indiana should mark their calendars now! The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club.  Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org 

This episode has it all!  Topics include fishing in teams, harassing the angler of the year, crossroads classic recap, dinning recommendations, Kayak Bass League, and the 2025 SIKC season.  This episode features Dalton Williams, Dustin Seigle, Susy Roloff, and Darren Hemker.  Sit back and take it all in!   The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club.  Learn more about SIKC and their b...

Rece Schneider recaps his impressive tournament win and 3 winning anglers discuss the importance of having fun on the water.  Find out how Nick Chabarria nearly won the tournament on a standup paddle board!  Tournament director Joshua Lincoln gives a glimpse of what it's like to run the show and compete at the same time. The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club.  Learn more about S...

llinois Fisheries Biologist Tad Locher visits the Kayak Bass Connection to discuss the state of several public lakes, including  Coffeen, Sangchris, Taylorville, and Banner Marsh.  Find out why Arygyle Lake would be a great place for a kayak bass tournament! The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club.  Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org 

The Southern Illinois Kayak Club Tournament Trail kicked off their 2024 season by inviting the top 20 anglers from last year to compete at Kincaid Lake.   The top 3 finishers join us to discuss their struggles and successes.  Great lessons here! The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club.  Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org 

Experienced kayak anglers Larry Horne and Nick Tipton discuss lessons learned during tournaments, offer advice to other anglers, and reveal their goals for the upcoming season.    Full video on You Tube:  https://youtu.be/X1xr6Zj_P8o The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club.  Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org 

2023 AOY Darren Hemker has smashed records in kayak bass tournaments and developed a reputation for helping fellow anglers succeed. Darren describes himself as an "Open Book" willing to help others. We sit down with Darren and talk about his strategies, favorite baits, and mental approach to fishing.  Find out why winning tournaments is not his favorite part of a tournament day! Watch the video on...

What are the top largemouth bass lakes in Illinois?  IDNR Biologist Shawn Hurst visits the podcast and uses his 29 years of experience to offer his expert opinion. We talk largemouth bass, striped bass, musky, forage species, and the impact of catch, photo, release tournaments.   He drops a ton of good information for all anglers.  Be prepared to take notes! Cedar Lake, Newton Lake, Kincaid Lake,...

New kayak tournament angler?  This episode is full of tips for success in your rookie year.  Tournament Director Joshua Lincoln co-hosts a conversation with three anglers that completed their rookie tournament last year.  From mental preparation to gear and planning, we have tips for it all!  https://sikcfishing.com/ The KBF standard rules mentioned can be found: @https://www.kayakbassfishing.com/...

The classic tube jig flat out catches fish!  Tournament Angler Kevin Cox his figured out an effective way to rig tubes for consistent hook-ups and consistent paychecks.  In this episode, he describes why the hook makes all the difference.  Good stuff! Featured baits:    https://baitandlures.com/product/salted-tubes-4 The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club.  Learn more about SIKC...

SIKC Championship Bass Angler Jonathan Michael Kessler returns to the podcast to present an amazing seminar on using a jig in water away from the bank.  You do not want to miss this! The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club.  Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org 

Thankful anglers are highlighted in this special thanksgiving episode.   We talk about supportive family, bass fishing in the mid-western winter, culture of a club, growth of the sport, and why YOU should be fishing from a kayak!  Thanks to all my guests! The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club.  Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org 

30 of the best kayak anglers in the Midwest faced off in the 2023 Crossroads Classic Kayak Bass Team Championship on September 30th.  At the end of the 2 day event, the 5 team members from the Southern Illinois Kayak Club (SIKC) won the team trophy and SMASHED historic records.  Join all 5 team members to discuss the techniques that led to their victory.  Individual overall winner Darren Hemker sh...

The Crossroads Kayak Bass Team Tournament will bring 35 of the best kayak anglers in the Midwest to Cedar Lake in Southern Illinois on Sept 30th and October 1st, 2023. Members of the Southern IL. Kayak Club (SIKC) discuss the potential for more 100 inch daily limits and their concerns over the stiff competition.  The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club.  Learn more about SIKC and...

Three Rookie of the Year winners open up about starting, persisting, and winning in kayak bass tournaments.  They shatter myths about equipment and discuss the mental side of competition.  Beginner kayak anglers or boat anglers considering dipping their toes into the plastic boat world will be impressed and informed!   Southern Illinois Kayak Club Angler of the Year for 2023 Darren Hemker, 2023 Ro...

Angler and entrepreneur James Faught  joins the Kayak Bass Connection Podcast to talk life and fishing.  We discuss learning from others, freshwater and saltwater fishing, and his new business, The Midwest Kayak Company.  This episode contains great tips for beginning kayak anglers and those looking to take their skills to the next level.   You can contact the Midwest Kayak Company on Facebook or...

In this episode, we continue coverage of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club (SIKC) tournament trail.  Devils Kitchen lake was the 5th of 6 regular season events for the club.  Anglers battled weather conditions and a tough bite on this unique lake.  Listen for great tips on fishing, equipment choice, and tournament strategies.  For more about the club, visit www.sikcfishing.com. The official podcast...

Tournament Angler David Brooke shares his thoughts on overcoming adversity on the water, explains his Ketch Photo Release (KPR) Tournament Series, drops great beginner advice, and much more!  See more of Dave's content on the Average Dave Outdoors Facebook page.   Suggestions for future episodes?  Contact Jered at kayakbassconnection@gmail.com In this episode: 00:00 - Start 11:31 - Strategies for...

What does it take to win?  During this winners' circle segment, we interview top finishers from the Southern Illinois Kayak Club (SIKC) tournament at Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area.   This episode has back to back tournament winner Jonathan Kessler, 2022 rookie of the year Dalton Williams, and kayak fishing icon Susie Roloff! The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club.  Le...

Tournament winners Jonathan Kessler and Jake Schultz join us to talk about what goes into a win.  This premier episode has some great insight into the fellowship of kayak fisherman in the grassroots bass trails, along with great tips for beginners.  For more information about the trail series sponsoring this tournament, check out the Southern Illinois Kayak Club at  www.sikcfishing.com   The offic...