Ask the Walleye Pro: Mark Courts

Q: Q: Do you think the FLW Walleye Tour needs to expand to two divisions? I think that would give the full-time pros the schedule (six regular-season events) they want and also ease the gas burden on the part-time pros. But if you go to two divisions, are Minnesota and Wisconsin part of the West or the East?

-Jerry V., Fond Du Lac, Wis.

A: Yes, I think two divisions would be a great idea. It would allow guys with full-time jobs who do not have the necessary amount of time off needed to fish four events the opportunity to fish an entire division. Though there still would be considerable travel involved, fishing one regional division would help tremendously with the cost of gasoline. For example, an Ohio pro would not have to travel 15 hours each way to Devils Lake, N.D., in order to qualify for the year-end championship. I would also encourage a shortened practice period which would allow us to utilize smaller bodies of water and save on days off of work. As for Minnesota and Wisconsin, I think you should utilize the Mississippi River as the East/West division boundary.

Q: What do you think of the netting that takes place on Lake Mille Lacs by the Native Americans? I recently viewed some video of it and I couldn’t believe how many big females were in the nets. How can the future of the lake be any good if the reproducing females are being removed?

-Steve R., St. Cloud, Minn.

A: This is a tough question to answer but if I were working for the state of Minnesota I might suggest something in regards to paying them for their quota. I would think we could recoup that money from tourism dollars.

Q: Now that you’ve won the PWT Championship what is your next goal? Also, what’s up with you fishing for those green carp out West?

-Walleyerube

A: My next goal is to win the Land O’Lakes Angler of Year title on the FLW Walleye Tour. I’m extremely proud of my recent championship victory and the next logical step is to demonstrate consistency throughout an entire season. Most veteran pros will tell you winning Angler of the Year is much more difficult than winning a single tournament. My overall passion for fishing has guided me towards fishing bass out West. I really like the challenge of crossing over from walleye to bass. (Editors note: Courts is fishing the National Guard Western Division of the Wal-Mart FLW Series. Last season he took 13th place on Lake Havasu.)

Q: I’ve heard people talk about casting crankbaits to rocky shorelines just before dusk. I understand that walleyes are generally more active in low-light situations so this makes sense to me. But what crankbait should I be using? Please be specific with sizes, colors and brands. Thank you. Also, is there a certain water temperature where this pattern no longer works? I know it’s usually good in spring, but would it work in July when the water is over 70 degrees?

-Ryan Mahr, Shell Lake, Wis.

A: Berkley Frenzy Flicker Shads would be a great choice. These baits were designed by Gary Parsons and Keith Kavajecs, two of the best walleye pros in the game. Some of my favorite colors include black-silver, blue-chrome and red-gold, but water color will dictate which colors work best. I’ve also had success with firetigers, clowns and white. Fall and spring are probably prime time for this technique, but it can work at dusk and dawn year round.

Q: Have you ever fished Cass Lake before? I am thinking about fishing either the FLW Walleye League event or FLW Walleye Tour event up there as a co-angler. Since I’ve never done this before, what should I expect as a co-angler?

-Kevin J., Chaska, Minn.

A: You should expect to see a rigging or jigging bite. If I can pass on a piece of advice, you will need total concentration on what is going on with your bait and bottom. It can be a finicky lake at times, but there is a good population of walleyes.

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 six top-10 finishes and has earned over $90,000. 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 the spring of 2008, he won the PWT Championship on Michigan’s Saginaw Bay. In 2006, he claimed his first tour-level 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.