Kayak Bass Connection

Walt McCree claims his first win in a kayak and doesn't even use sonar! Kevin Cox and Jonathan Kessler claim second and third in a tournament where deep water played a major factor. Listen for the full recap of the last regular season tournament for Southern Illinois Kayak Club Bass Tournament Trail.

The Illinois B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series Champion Jonathan Kessler and Angler of the Year Cody Wenger discuss the season finale at Crab Orchard Lake, the dynamics of 2 days kayak tournaments, and look back at the full IBNKS season. We also hear from Kevin Cox, the runner up in the championship and the angler that will serve as the IBNKS representative at the B.A.S.S. Kayak National Championship.

The kayak bass anglers of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club Tournament Trail visited the legendary Cedar Lake and sit down with us to discuss the event. Is it still the land of giant bass? Find out how the top 3 finishers cash checks in a competitive field.

Sangchris Lake handed the anglers of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club a real challenge during the 4th stop of their tournament trail. Dalton Williams did what he does best, catch bass! Join the winning anglers as they talk about unique strategies that caught big bass when others struggled.

Winning anglers from the Southern Illinois Kayak Club Bass Tournament Trail recap the event and drop great tips for other kayak anglers!

The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club.  Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org 

Kayak bass fishing tournament winners from the Southern Illinois Kayak Club Tournament trail discuss the latest tournament, the skills they used to catch bass, and explore the challenges of tournament fishing.

The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club.  Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org 

This kayak bass tournament proved that winners never give up and keep competing until the last second.  Listen as the top finishers in the Southern Illinois Kayak Club Tournament on Kincaid Lake lay down some great advice.  Every minute counts!

The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club.  Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org 

In this episode of the Kayak Bass Connection Podcast, we break down the 2026 SIKC Classic kayak bass fishing tournament with the top three finishers, diving deep into winning strategies, cold‑weather adjustments, and what it takes to consistently contend at the highest level of kayak bass tournaments.

Dalton Williams joins the show after capturing yet another SIKC Classic win, cementing his legacy as the most dominant angler in Southern Illinois Kayak Club history. He shares insights into decision‑making under pressure and what separates good kayak anglers from great ones.

Jeff Sheer proves that you don’t have to be a traditional power fisherman to compete for the win. He explains how finesse techniques, adaptability, and efficient kayak fishing strategies can level the playing field in challenging tournament conditions.

Rounding out the top three, Dustin Siegle returns with practical advice for kayak bass fishing in freezing temperatures, including his unique approach to staying warm when fishing below freezing. He also drops a bold prediction—who will win Angler of the Year in 2026?

If you’re passionate about kayak bass fishing, tournament breakdowns, and learning directly from proven competitors, this episode delivers actionable insights and real‑world experience from anglers who get it done.

🎣 Topics Covered:

• 2026 SIKC Classic recap
• Kayak bass tournament strategy
• Cold‑weather kayak fishing tips
• Power fishing vs finesse in kayak bass fishing

The official podcast of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club.  Learn more about SIKC and their bass tournament trail at www.sikcfishing.org 

Meet 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 

How 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