Banner Marsh – July 15, 2023
Another incredible tournament is in the books! Stop #5 of the 2023 Southern Illinois Kayak Club season at Banner Marsh was a huge success thanks to our amazing members. The competition was fierce, camaraderie was strong, and the fishing skills were on full display throughout the day.
Jonathan Michael Kessler took home 1st place with an impressive 97 inches of bass—caught from his brand-new kayak. This marks back-to-back victories for Jonathan and propels him into the lead in the Angler of the Year race. An outstanding performance!
Dalton Williams secured 2nd place with 93 inches, fishing Shovel Lake. Dalton continues to prove why he’s the reigning Rookie of the Year, earning his second top-three finish of the 2023 season.
Rounding out the top three, Susie Roloff finished with 91 inches, defending her home waters in style. Susie came out swinging early, posting over 90 inches before 10:00 a.m.—an impressive start on a competitive day.
To hear more from our winners, be sure to check out the next episode of the Kayak Bass Connection Podcast on Spotify.
We’d also like to give a special shoutout to Average Dave Outdoors, who overcame multiple obstacles that might have sidelined most anglers the night before the tournament. Thanks to the help of some great friends, Dave made it to the water and finished the day in an impressive 4th place—a testament to perseverance and community.
A big thank-you goes out to all participants who gave it their all and showcased their passion for kayak fishing. You continue to make SIKC something special.
As we wrap up this event, we’re already looking ahead to our next stop at Devils Kitchen Lake. We can’t wait to see everyone back on the water!
We’d also like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to our sponsors for their continued support of the club. Thank you for making these events possible.
Sponsors:
Heads Up Taxidermy · JayDiz Fishing & Tackle Co. · Spittin Image Jigs · Kayak Bass Fishing · Ketch Products Inc. · Amped Outdoors LLC · Venom Lures · Thrasher Sports Apparel · Da Bomb Anchor Company · Paddle N’ Fin Podcast · Freaky Frank’s Custom Tackle
