Persistence Pays at Pyramid: Darren Hemker Breaks Through for the Win
The fifth stop of the 2025 Southern Illinois Kayak Club season took us to the sprawling waters of Pyramid State Park, where anglers faced a true test of patience, strategy, and stamina. With multiple lakes to choose from and countless possible patterns to explore, success came down to smart decisions and making the most of every bite.
While the summer heat was relentless, the fishing was anything but easy. Every inch mattered, and every catch counted. Still, our anglers dug deep, adapting and grinding through tough conditions to make things happen on the leaderboard.
Darren Hemker Claims Victory
Darren Hemker rose to the occasion, taking 1st place with a mix of jig and chatterbait presentations that consistently produced quality bites. Despite losing a few true giants that could have blown the field wide open, Darren’s solid execution and persistence carried him to the top — a well-earned win after several close calls earlier this season.
Dalton Williams Stays Hot
Finishing in 2nd place, Dalton Williams kept his incredible season rolling by fishing two separate lakes and connecting with his fish on a sexy shad squarebill crankbait. His ability to cover water and adapt on the fly once again proved why he’s been a dominant force all year long.
Kevin Cox Grinds Out Third
Kevin Cox rounded out the Top 3, sticking with his trusted tube and grinding through the heat to bring in a solid limit. His steady, disciplined approach was a great example of how persistence can pay off, even on the toughest days.
Darren also claimed the Heads Up Taxidermy Big Bass Award with a gorgeous 20.50” largemouth, earning an additional $50 bonus thanks to the continued generosity of Midwest Kayak Company. That fish capped off a memorable day and highlighted the quality Pyramid still has to offer.
We want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all of our incredible sponsors for making these tournaments possible. Your generosity and commitment keep this trail competitive, fun, and rewarding for every angler involved:
P-Line • Da Bomb Anchor Company • Thrasher Sports Apparel • Missile Baits • RAILBLAZA • Kayak Bass Connection • Ketch Products Inc. • Kayak Bass Fishing • Heads Up Taxidermy • Midwest Kayak Company
With five events now in the books, the Rookie of the Year race is neck and neck, and everything comes down to our final regular-season stop at Newton Lake. Known for big bass and even bigger limits, it’s the perfect battleground to close out the 2025 season before the Crossroads Team Classic.
We can’t wait to see everyone there and finish strong — tight lines, and we’ll see you at Newton Lake!
