I’m settled in here in Shreveport, LA, ready to bring y’all the inside info as this week’s Forrest Wood Cup unfolds.

So far, the anglers are telling us that the weather is hot, the water is hot and big fish are hard to find.

After talking with 4 Evinrude pros set to compete here, the consensus is that a mix of main river and backwater fishing will likely be needed in order to catch 12 pounds per day which most pros agreed would make an angler the next world champion.

Main river fish are fairly abundant but mostly small. Conversely, an angler could spend a lot time poking around the wrong backwaters in search of the kicker bites that will turn a pedestrian limit into a stellar sack of Red River bass.

As noted by 2013 FLW Tour Angler of the Year Andy Morgan, “The difference between 9 pounds and 12 pounds is going to be huge. If I feel like I can run all the way down to the bottom of Pool 3, and get another 3 pounds, I have no problem firing up my (Evinrude) E-TEC and doing it. You’ve got to be confident enough to make those moves because an extra 3 pounds here is going to be a big deal.”

2012 Cup Champion, Evinrude Pro Scott Martin also hinted that he may run down into Pool 3 to access less-pressured waters.

Pool 3 is the southernmost of three pools that make up this week’s playing field. Anglers will launch from Red River South Marina, located on Pool 5 which runs right through the heart of Shreveport. From there they can lock down to Pool 4, and even the afforementioned Pool 3. In addition to long running times due to sheer distance, anglers face another time-zapper in the locking process. And if they get stuck waiting to lock through behind a barge . . .

John Cox has won an FLW tournament on this river system. And word is he brought his aluminum boat. But the culvert pushed through so famously before is, reportedly, no longe there. But resourcefulness and plain old fishing ability makes Cox one to watch this week.

All indications are that typical tactics for this fishery will prevail:  squarebill crankbaits, spinnerbaits, various topwaters including frogs, and a flippin’ stick for finding those big bites.

We’re about to find out, so stay connected to AnglersChannel.com!