Cedar Lake – September 10, 2023
As the sun set on another incredible season of fishing, the final regular-season tournament of 2023 officially wrapped up at the beautiful Cedar Lake. It was a fitting backdrop to close out a memorable year for the Southern Illinois Kayak Club.
First and foremost, we want to extend a massive thank you to every angler who joined us throughout the season. Your passion for kayak fishing, competitive spirit, and camaraderie are what make SIKC such a strong and welcoming community.
Darren Hemker took home his third victory of the season, posting 93.75 inches in impressive fashion. Darren overcame adversity early, as his pedal drive broke less than an hour into the tournament, yet he still powered through to secure the win. This victory also locked up the 2023 Angler of the Year title—congratulations, Darren!
Finishing in 2nd place with 89.75 inches, Jay Reidler closed the season strong with back-to-back top-two finishes. This outstanding performance also secured Jay the 2023 Rookie of the Year title. Well earned, Jay!
Rounding out the top three, Dalton Williams brought in 84.00 inches, marking his third top-three finish of the season. This result officially locked in Dalton’s spot on the 2023 Crossroads Team—congratulations on a great season!
A huge thank-you goes out to all the anglers who made it out for this final event. We truly enjoyed our end-of-season celebration—sharing stories, handing out awards, and reflecting on another fantastic year on the water.
None of this would be possible without our 2023 partners and sponsors. Your continued support is deeply appreciated and plays a huge role in keeping this club thriving.
Sponsors:
Heads Up Taxidermy · JayDiz Fishing & Tackle Co. · Kayak Bass Fishing · Spittin Image Jigs · Ketch Products Inc. · Thrasher Sports Apparel · Venom Lures · Amped Outdoors LLC · YakAttack · Freaky Frank’s Custom Tackle · Da Bomb Anchor Company · Paddle N’ Fin Podcast
Thank you all for making the Southern Illinois Kayak Club such a strong community of passionate anglers. Let’s keep the spirit alive—and until we meet again on the water, tight lines.
