Ask the Walleye Pro: Mark Courts

Pro Mark Courts and co-angler Todd Mueller hold up part of their day-two catch from Green Bay. Mueller sits in third place on the co-angler side. Photo by Brett Carlson. Anglers: Mark Courts, Todd Mueller.

August 15, 2006 • MLF • Archives

Q: Congratulations on your win at the PWT Regional Series on Lake Oahe! What was your winning presentation? How will the bite be for the FLW Championship in October?

-FishBismarck

A: Thank you! My pattern on Lake Oahe was to target the smelt in 38 to 75 feet of water. To accomplish this I was using Berkley Fireline in 4-pound diameter and 10-pound test reaching depths of 40 feet of water with Reef Runners. I also fished trees with Berkley Spiderwire Stealth in 8-pound diameter, 30-pound test. This was running somewhere around 38 feet down. With both presentations, I was fishing 200 feet back. My color pattern was white and also pink trailer trash.

I think if the weather permits there will be a great crankbait bite but if we get some storms or cold fronts it will be won rigging with creek chubs or red tail chubs off main-lake points.

Q: I heard you switched to a Ranger for the first time this year. What is your impression of the Ranger fiberglass walleye boats in comparison with aluminum?

-Ron, southern Minn.

A: Yes, I have switched to Ranger. I am very happy that I have made the switch because of the smooth ride in rough water and also the ability to track true when I am trolling. But in saying that I still think that the Lund Boat Company makes the best aluminum boat on the market.

Q: Of all the lakes the pros get to fish, what is your favorite lake and

why?

-Gary K.

A: My favorite lake is Devils Lake in northern North Dakota. It is my favorite because I think it is the best fishery going at this time for walleyes. It is amazing a body of water can sustain the amount of pressure through peek feeding and spawning periods and still continue to produce quality fish day after day. Point being there is always a bite going somewhere on the lake. The other great thing about this lake is no matter what your favorite presentation is; you can always make it work. Whether it is rigging, jigging, bobber fishing, casting, or trolling, they all catch fish on Devils Lake.

Q: Are there any baits or techniques that you recommend when the weather and water temperature is this hot? It seems the jig and minnow combo dies during the dog days.

-Arnie, St. Cloud, Minn.

A: You are correct Arnie. That is when it is time to utilize your Lowrance electronics to locate active fish feeding on their available food source. Typically you are going to look off deep breaks or deep humps either for suspended fish or for fish located near or on the breaks. The key is to pay attention to the baitfish. The baitfish will tell you whether there is active fish or not. Look for the clouds of bait that look broken up or like a mushroom instead of the tight balls.

Mark Courts is an accomplished walleye pro hailing from Harris, Minn. An eight-year veteran, Courts fishes both the FLW Walleye Tour and the Professional Walleye Trail. In his FLW Outdoors career alone, Courts has notched five top-10 finishes and has earned over $70,000. In 2005, Courts placed in the top-10 two times, including a seventh-place finish on Bull Shoals Lake and a fourth-place finish on Devils Lake. In 2006, Courts claimed victory at the PWT Regional held on South Dakota’s Lake Oahe. His sponsors include Berkley, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Abu Garcia, Ranger, Evinrude and Fenwick.