Shows
Kayak Bass ConnectionBig Fish MaxMeet Max Lee. a humble California kayak angler that has quietly developed a reputation for catching big bass, including a recent 16lb largemouth! Max works hard for those big fish and shares great insight into what it takes to find the biggest fish in the lake. We discuss the differences between fishing west coast lakes and the Midwest, along with some great tips for beginner kayak anglers. The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2026-01-3044 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionKayak Livescope 101How does forward-facing sonar change your kayak fishing? Can it be an unfair advantage? Experienced users and a championship angler with no FFS experience weigh in on this controversial technology. The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2026-01-1159 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionMental Management Resource for WinnersYour mindset can win or lose kayak bass tournaments long before your first cast. 🧠🎣 Mental preparation is more important than any rod, reel, or lure. But what if you had a proven manual for controlling your mental state under pressure?In this video, we introduce Troy Bassham’s book “Attainment: The 12 Elements of Elite Performance” and how the habits of champions apply directly to kayak bass tournaments. Whether you’re fishing local kayak bass tournaments or chasing national events, developing a strong tournament mindset can be the difference between an average finish and the leaderboard.👉 Topics covered:Kayak bass fi...
2026-01-0914 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionFlipped at Toledo Bend!Too many kayak anglers find themselves in life-threatening situations. This is the first in a series of interviews with anglers who had close calls on the water. This episode tells a scary story about an angler who flipped his kayak on a huge reservoir far from home, and far from help. The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2026-01-0447 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionThe Winner's PlaybookWhat have we learned from interviewing the top 3 finishers in 17 different Kayak Bass Tournaments since 2023? Our hosts looks back at the big lessons.The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2026-01-0311 min
Kayak Bass Connection2026 SIKC Schedule ReleaseSouthern Illinois Kayak Club Tournament Director Jonathan Kessler releases the tournament schedule for next year! Check out the new website at www.sikcfishing.orgThe official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2025-11-2232 min
Kayak Bass Connection2026 Season Preview - Big Changes🎣 Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Kayak Bass Connection Podcast! We’re diving into all the exciting changes coming to the Illinois kayak bass scene in 2026 — new rules, new leadership, and maybe even a new tournament series 👀👇 Drop a comment below:What do you think of the new SIKC updates?Are you planning to fish any Illinois tournaments in 2026?Got questions for Joshua or Jonathan? Ask away!👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode. 🌐 Visit sikcfishing.org for all the latest updates....
2025-11-1550 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionTalent Rises at Newton LakeKayak Bass Tournament Anglers recap the final event of the 2025 Southern Illinois Kayak Club (SIKC) Tournament Trail at Newton Lake. This episode is packed with talented anglers sharing their bass fishing know-how.The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2025-09-2142 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionStrip Pit Success at Pyramid State Park The SiKC kayak bass tournament at Pyramid State Park was a test of skill, endurance, and strategy. With over 40 strip pits to choose from, triple-digit heat, and tough bites, only 10 anglers posted a limit. We talk to Darren Hemker, Dalton Williams, and Kevin Cox about their winning tactics, big bass moments, and how they handled extreme summer fishing conditions. The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2025-08-1547 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionDalton Williams' 3rd win in a row! Hot action at Cedar Lake.🔥 Bass Battle at Cedar Lake! 🔥Witness kayak fishing history as SIKC Angler of the Year Dalton Williams continues his unstoppable run on the 2025 kayak bass tournament trail! Meanwhile, Jerry and Nick Bryson make waves as the first father-son duo to place in the Top 3, rewriting the record books!The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2025-07-2730 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionSangchris Lake TournamentTop finishers from the Kayak Bass Tournament at Sangchris Lake, Illinois discuss their success AND whether or not Darren should skip his brother's wedding to fish a tournament. What do you think?The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2025-07-1246 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionB.A.S.S. Kayak Fishing Series in Illinois!The Illinois B.A.S.S. Nation is expanding to include a kayak division! Mike Husar and Susie Roloff provide an update on their efforts to get the B.A.S.S. Kayak Series launched in Illinois. Very exciting news for all anglers!The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2025-07-1224 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionLow Cost Kayak Tournaments in 2026Can't fish on Saturday? No problem. Mike Husar discusses plans to bring back flexible, low cost options for kayak bass tournaments in Illinois.The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2025-07-1211 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionPedaling to Victory at Otter Lake - Ep. 36The top three anglers analyze a super tough kayak bass tournament and discuss how their pedal-drive kayaks offer them a competitive edge over those using motorized kayaks. We are the official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club Bass Tournament Series.The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2025-05-1130 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionBreaking records at Coffeen Lake - Ep.35The Southern Illinois Kayak Club kicked off their 2025 tournament trail with a bang! Record attendance, record payouts, and big bass. We welcome the top 3 kayak anglers from this kayak bass tournament to talk about their great performance!The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2025-04-2129 min
Kayak Bass Connection2025 SIKC Classic Bass TournamentSusie Roloff out fished some the best kayak anglers in the midwest to win the 2025 SIKC Classic Championship on Cedar Lake. Listen in as the the top 4 anglers in contest talk about the challenging conditions, life as a kayak bass angler, and mastering the mental aspect of the sport.Kayak Bass Connection is the official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club.The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2025-04-0444 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionMeet the Anglers of SIKC - Ep. 33 In this video, kayak anglers Scott Gyon, Jeff Shere, and Lee Van Hoose sit down with the Southern Illinois Kayak Club to talk about the upcoming fishing tournament season. Lee shares valuable tips on the most common catch, photo, and release mistakes that can hurt your tournament results. Meanwhile, Jeff and Scott introduce themselves to the SIKC and discuss their unique journeys to their rookie year as tournament anglers. Don't miss out on this insightful discussion packed with tips for tournament fishing success! The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and th...
2025-03-2226 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionTravel Friendly Fishing Kayaks - Ep. 30A travel-friendly fishing kayak is great for campers, travelers, and anyone pressed for space. We interview representatives from experts from Wilderness Systems, Bonifide, Old Town, Native Watercraft, and Hobie in search of the perfect mobile fishing machine! Subscribe to catch Part 2, with even more options!The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2025-03-1525 min
Kayak Bass Connection20 Kayak Tournament Tips in 10 minutes!Join two new kayak tournament anglers as they learn tips on what to expect in their first season. Keep a notebook handy for this one! The Kayak Bass Connection is proud to be the official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club Tournament Trail. The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2025-03-1510 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionThe most versatile bait in bass fishing?A deep dive into using the soft jerk bait, also known as the fluke. Find out why you should have this rigged and ready! Oh ya, what is a donkey rig anyway? Find out in this episode.The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2025-02-0734 min
Kayak Bass Connection40 Kayak Tournament TipsOver 40 tips in less than an hour! Former Angler Of The Year Dustin Siegle answers questions from 2 novice kayak tournament anglers. A goldmine of good advice to get started fishing from a kayak.Full video at: https://youtube.com/@kayakbassconnection?si=wxpdFD4LPlaQ-mNFThe official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2025-01-2653 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionTying Bass & Crappie Jigs for BeginnersWe 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
2025-01-1931 min
Kayak Bass Connection2025 SIKC Kayak Bass Schedule DropThe 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
2024-12-2148 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionHarassing the Angler of the Year Ep.23This 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 bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2024-10-051h 13
Kayak Bass ConnectionEp. 22 Coffeen Lake Bass BattleRece 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 SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2024-09-2836 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionManaging Illinois Bass - Part 2 Ep.16llinois 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
2024-04-1141 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionKincaid Lake - 2024 SIKC Classic TournamentThe 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
2024-04-1139 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionEp 15. - The Road to Success - Angler InterviewsExperienced 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_P8oThe official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2024-03-0136 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionThe Open Book Episode - Interview with AOY Darren Hemker2023 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 youtube: https://youtu.be/v949O-oIhy8The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2024-02-2139 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionManaging Public Bass - Ep.13What 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, Sangchris Lake, and Rend Lake are all mentioned in this podcast. Maps to find the fish habitat mentioned in the video can be found at: https://www.ifishillinois.org/profiles/sele...
2024-01-2839 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionTips for Your Rookie Season - Ep. 12New 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/kbf-rules-standardsThe official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2024-01-1048 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionTube Jig Tanks! Featuring Kevin Cox - Ep. 11The 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-4The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2024-01-0539 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionEp. 10 - Offshore Jig MasterclassSIKC 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
2023-12-1850 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionEp 9 - Thanksgiving with SIKC AnglersThankful 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
2023-11-2354 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionRecords SMASHED at Crossroads Classic Kayak Bass Team Championship30 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 shares how he overcame a major equipment failure to catch 189.25" of largemouth in 2 days. https://www.facebook.com/southernillinoiskayakclubFor more of the statistics of this historic win, visit the SIKC Facebook page...
2023-10-1054 min
Kayak Bass Connection100" of Bass! Pre-game for the Crossroads TournamentThe 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 their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2023-09-1730 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionRookie to Champ! Ep. 6Three 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 Rookie of the Year Jay Reidler, and 2022 Rookie of the Year Dalton Williams all join the show!The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sik...
2023-09-1638 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionEp. 5 James Faught Midwest Kayak CompanyAngler 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 call James directly at (573) 380-7620.The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2023-08-2433 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionEp 4. Devils Kitchen LakeIn 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 of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2023-08-2336 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionEp. 3 Overcoming Adversity - David BrookeTournament 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.comIn this episode:00:00 - Start11:31 - Strategies for watching the leaderboard14:17 - The mental game14:48 - Music for focus16:56 - The value of small fish19:18 - Boats compared to kayaks21:32 - Becoming a fishing coach23:01 - Kayak fishing start27:21 - A...
2023-07-2940 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionEp. 2 Banner Marsh SIKC Tournament CoverageWhat 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. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2023-07-2243 min
Kayak Bass ConnectionEp. 1 Coffeen Lake, IL. Winner's Circle InterviewTournament 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 official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org
2023-07-0743 min