2019 SIKC Season Summary

The 2019 season was the second official year of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club (SIKC) and the first to truly feel like a full-blown tour. Under the continued leadership of Director Ryan McCann, the club expanded its schedule, refined its AOY scoring, and drew a growing field of kayak bass anglers across southern Illinois and the surrounding region.

This season featured a mix of destination lakes and monthly online-style events that tested versatility:

Tournament #1 – Otter Lake
Tournament #2 – Washington County Lake
Tournament #3 – June Monthly
Tournament #4 – July Monthly
Tournament #5 – Kinkaid Lake
Tournament #6 – Peabody River King

From cold-water grinders to summer slugfests, the year showcased a clear theme: anglers who could adapt to different water types and formats rose to the top of the AOY standings.

2019 Angler of the Year – Glenn Banaszak

At the heart of the 2019 story is Glenn Banaszak, who claimed the 2019 Angler of the Year title.

Southern Illinois Kayak Club recognized Glenn as AOY for a season built on both consistency and big wins. He paddled away with two victories at Washington County Lake and Kinkaid Lake, anchoring a points total that put him ahead of a very competitive field. Those performances, combined with steady showings throughout the schedule, cemented his name in SIKC history as the second AOY in club history.

“Southern Illinois Kayak Club is happy to announce that our 2019 Angler of the Year is Glenn Banaszak. Glenn battled all season, and paddled away with two victories (Washington Co. & Kinkaid). We can’t wait to watch you defend your title in the 2020 season.”

Tournament-By-Tournament Highlights

Tournament #1 – Otter Lake

The season kicked off at Otter Lake, setting the tone for 2019. This opener challenged anglers with classic central-Illinois water: a mix of offshore structure, shoreline cover, and changing spring conditions.

The event marked the beginning of the AOY chase, with early points on the board and several familiar names establishing themselves as threats for the rest of the season. For many anglers, Otter was about knocking off the rust, learning the format, and getting their first taste of SIKC competition outside the 2018 schedule.

A man holding a large check for $120, standing outdoors near a body of water with a dock and hills in the background.

A young man standing outdoors by a body of water, holding a large check for $90, dated April 13, 2019, made out to Glenn Banaszak for a second place finish at a fishing event.

Tournament #2 – Washington County Lake

Washington County Lake was a turning point in the AOY race and the first official win of the season for Glenn Banaszak. The lake rewarded anglers who could manage both shallow and offshore bites, and Glenn’s performance here planted him firmly in the AOY conversation.

Strong bags across the field made Washington County one of the more competitive events of the year, but Glenn’s win separated him from the pack and became one of the key building blocks of his AOY campaign.

A man is standing outdoors in a parking lot, holding a large check made out to Glen Banaszak for $216.00, dated May 26, 2019. He is wearing sunglasses, a cap, patterned shorts, and Crocs shoes, and is smiling at the camera.

Man in sunglasses, cap, and casual clothing holding a large novelty check for $162.00 awarded for second place at Wallowa Lake, with trees and parked cars in the background.

A man wearing sunglasses, a cap, and a beige fishing vest holding a giant check for $108.00, awarded for third place in a fishing competition, outdoors with cars and trees in the background.

Tournament #3 – June Monthly

The June Monthly event shifted the format and rhythm of the season. Instead of a traditional single-day live event, this monthly structure rewarded anglers who could consistently find fish over a broader window.

The standings (shown in the archived results graphic) highlight how tight the middle of the AOY field became during this stretch. For many anglers, the June Monthly was an opportunity to climb back into contention or solidify their position heading into the second half of the season.

Screenshot of a fishing tournament scoreboard showing rankings, anglers' names, individual fish weights, and totals. Jason Acklin is in first place with 105.25 inches, followed by David Dixon, Lee Van Hoose, Glenn Banaszak, and David Brooke.

Tournament #4 – July Monthly

The July Monthly continued the theme of extended-format competition, now set against full summer conditions. Warm water, vegetation, and shifting feeding windows created a different puzzle than earlier in the year.

The July standings once again reshuffled the AOY race, rewarding anglers who could stay consistent across multiple weeks rather than just having one big day. For those chasing Glenn, this segment of the schedule was critical to staying within striking distance.

Screenshots of a golf tournament scorecard showing players' names, scores per hole, and total scores. Top section displays tournament name, time, and round info.

Tournament #5 – Kinkaid Lake

Kinkaid Lake returned in 2019 as a marquee event, and it delivered in a big way. This time, Glenn Banaszak claimed his second win of the season, adding another major highlight to his AOY résumé.

Kinkaid’s reputation for big fish and tough decisions held true, challenging anglers to commit to either offshore structure, standing timber, or bank-related patterns. Glenn’s ability to put together another winning performance here effectively pushed him into control of the AOY race.

A young boy standing outdoors on grass, holding a large ceremonial check with a big smile. He is wearing a baseball cap, a polo shirt, shorts, and Crocs. The check is made out to Glenn Banaszuk for $145, with a memo indicating first place in a contest.

A man wearing a light gray t-shirt and a beige cap standing outdoors on grass, holding a large check made out to Nathan Barto for second place in an event, with a date of August 25, 2099, and a prize of $10.00.

A young man smiling outdoors on grass, holding a large check for $75 made out to Dylan Fugua for the 'Dart Fire and M/100' with memo 'Kinkaid Lake' and note '3rd Place', dated August 25, 2019.

Tournament #6 – Peabody River King

The season wrapped at Peabody River King, a multi-pit mine lake complex that demands map study, decision-making, and time management. Spread-out water and multiple pits gave anglers a lot of room—but also forced them to make choices about how much water to cover and how long to commit to each area.

Peabody provided the final shuffle of the standings and locked in the AOY order. For some, it was a last chance to secure a big points jump; for Glenn, it was the final confirmation of a season-long grind that ended with the AOY trophy.

Man holding a large check for $145, awarded for first place at Beaver Lake on September 14, 2019, standing outdoors near a lake with lush green grass and trees in the background.

Man holding a large check at Beaver Lake from an event on September 14, 2019, for $110, indicating second place in a fishing competition.

A young man is holding a large check for $75.00 made out to Reece Schneider for third place, dated September 14, 2019, from SIKC. He is smiling, wearing a light gray T-shirt and a camouflage cap, standing outdoors near a lake with grass and trees in the background on a sunny day.

2019 AOY Standings Graphic

The full 2019 Angler of the Year standings are captured in the official SIKC AOY graphic from that season.

A scoreboard displaying names of individuals along with their scores across various months in 2019. Some names are marked with red x's indicating absence or disqualification, and the background is green with a wooden texture on the right side, where there is large, green text saying '2019 AOY'.