2024 Southern Illinois Kayak Club Season
The 2024 Southern Illinois Kayak Club Season was nothing short of spectacular, marking another thrilling year of competitive kayak bass fishing across Southern Illinois.
From record-breaking bags to photo-finish battles, this season delivered everything that defines the SIKC community — skill, sportsmanship, and camaraderie. Anglers faced everything from torrential rain to scorching bluebird days and still brought incredible weights to the leaderboard.
With six regular-season trail events and the SIKC Classic Championship, the 2024 season showcased some of the best anglers and moments in club history. Records were broken, new champions were crowned, and the fight for Angler of the Year and Rookie of the Year came down to the wire.
Follow along below for a full look at this unforgettable season — complete with recaps, photos, and results from each stop on the 2024 trail!
2024 Tournament Schedule & Results
SIKC Classic Championship – Kinkaid Lake – March 2024 → 🥇 Darren Hemker
Back-to-back Classic Champion and Big Bass winner with a 21” chatterbait bite.
Stop #1 – Newton Lake – April 20, 2024 → 🥇 Darren Hemker
A razor-thin win with 92.75”, edging out 2nd place by just a quarter inch.
Stop #2 – Sangchris Lake – May 11, 2024 → 🥇 Glenn Banaszak
Former AOY returns to form with 93.75” on a windy, tough day.
Stop #3 – Cedar Lake – June 1, 2024 → 🥇 Susie Roloff
Sets a new SIKC single-day record with 101.25” in the rain-soaked showdown.
Stop #4 – Little Grassy Lake – July 6, 2024 → 🥇 Susie Roloff
Back-to-back win with 84.25” and Big Bass honors at 21”.
Stop #5 – Banner Marsh – August 3, 2024 → 🥇 Dalton Williams
Takes control of the AOY race under bluebird skies and tough bites.
Stop #6 – Coffeen Lake – September 14, 2024 → 🥇 Rece Schneider
Closes out the season with 90.50”, leading one of the most competitive fields of the year.
Season Awards
🏆 Angler of the Year: Dalton Williams
🌟 Rookie of the Year: Jerry Bryson
🎣 Big Bass of the Year: James Faught – 22” Cedar Lake
🍍 Pineapple Man of the Year: Jay Reidler
Rece Schneider dominates Coffeen Lake with 90.50” to close out the 2024 SIKC season, while Jay Reidler and Nick Chabarria round out a record-breaking finale.
Tough conditions at Banner Marsh couldn’t stop Dalton Williams, who claimed 1st place and tightened his Angler of the Year lead as the season heads into its final event.
Back-to-back wins for Susie Roloff at Little Grassy Lake! She tops the field with 84.25" and lands a 21" crankbait giant for Big Bass honors.
Rain couldn’t stop the bite at Cedar Lake! Susie Roloff shattered the SIKC single-day record with 101.25", while James Faught’s 22" buzzbait giant claimed Big Bass honors.
Glenn Banaszak returns to the top at Sangchris Lake with 93.75”, while Nick Chabarria’s 21.75” chatterbait giant claims Big Bass honors in a tough, windy showdown.
Darren Hemker edges out Dalton Williams by just ¼ inch to win the Newton Lake opener, with Caden Cox landing a 22-inch giant for Big Bass honors.
Darren Hemker defends his title at the 2024 SIKC Classic on Kinkaid Lake, taking both the championship and Big Bass honors in a winner-take-all showdown.
2025 AOY Standings (Final Top 5)
1️⃣ Dalton Williams — Angler of the Year Champion
2️⃣ Darren Hemker
3️⃣ Susie Roloff
4️⃣ Corey Forsythe
5️⃣ Jay Reidler
The AOY race came down to the wire, with Dalton’s consistency and three straight wins earning him back-to-back titles.