Highland’s Colby Schrumpf wins Rend Lake BFL finale with 28-9

Colby Schrumpf of Highland, Illinois, won the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Illini Division finale on Rend Lake. The two-day total, reported out of Whittington on Sept. 28, 2026, was 10 bass for 28 pounds, 9 ounces. The paycheck was $11,500, including a $7,000 Phoenix bonus. Seasons Lodge at Rend Lake hosted the fifth and last qualifier for the division.

Schrumpf said an east wind made both days tough, so he covered water fast near Gun Creek in 2½ to 6 feet with a square-bill crankbait, a downsized bladed jig, and a Texas-rigged worm on laydowns and rock. He carried the lead after Saturday, then scratched through a slow Sunday morning after a 5½-pound early bite before the afternoon wind helped. Jeremy Mull of Pawnee was second at 25-6.

David Workman of Harrisburg, Illinois, won the co-angler division with five bass for 16 pounds even and $1,950. Qualifiers move on toward the BFL Regional slate that follows the Illini regular season.

Photo: Major League Fishing (Phoenix BFL Rend Lake Presented by Suzuki Marine, Sept. 28, 2026).

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Major League Fishing — Highland’s Schrumpf gaps field at Phoenix BFL Rend Lake (Sept. 28, 2026).