WHITTINGTON, Ill. – High water wreaked havoc on a lot of fisheries this spring, and Rend Lake is no different. However, what made for a tough spring has made for a banner summer right in time for the upcoming Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Illini Division event, which is presented by Suzuki Marine.
This year, BFL anglers benefit from an expanded slate of Regionals, which minimizes travel costs and provides more opportunities to qualify for the $120,000 BFL All-American while fishing familiar, closer-to-home waters. Click here to find out more.
What to expect
Rend Lake has seemingly endless miles of flooded brush during normal pool. So, when it gets high and stays high like it did this spring?
“Oh, they got so far back in the bushes that anglers couldn’t even get to them,” said local Brennon McCord. “Those fish had one of the best spawns because they weren’t messed with all spring.”
After a break from lures and trolling motors all spring, those fish finally started coming back out to the main lake, and what’s happened since is like McCord has never seen.
Typically a fickle, grinder of a fishery where limits or getting into the teens can be a struggle, Rend has been producing limits nonstop. In fact, McCord fished a recent local event where he had 14 pounds, which normally would be a winning weight. He didn’t even come close, as there were two bags that almost eclipsed 18 pounds.
“The lake’s been fishing really good,” McCord said. “Even in that tournament, the lake went through some sort of turnover, with the water being all green. It didn’t impact the bite one bit.”
Baits to bring
While the water was high in the bushes all spring, the recent hot spell actually has it so that barely any bushes have water on them anymore. That means focusing on covering water. That means a big worm, vibrating jig, crankbait or topwater first thing in the morning.
“Anyone who can find a deeper stretch of rocks with shad will probably have an advantage,” McCord said.
What will it take?
If this were typical Rend Lake, anyone managing to get into the low teens would have a shot at the win. Now? McCord figures at least 16 pounds to win, and that it could take more.
Fishing 4 FREE!
Every Phoenix Bass Fishing League angler fishing the fourth event in each division will receive an Abu Garcia gift pack valued at $230 for boaters and $180 for co-anglers – a value that exceeds the entry fee. It’s like Fishing 4 FREE! Plus, participants will receive a code for 25% off an order at AbuGarcia.com. Sign up today at MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270) 252-1000 to take advantage of this incredible offer. Anglers will receive their gift box at the event.