I am fishing a friendly tournament on Dale Hollow the last weekend in February.  I've never fished Dale this early in the year and I am wondering what I should focus on.  I'm assuming by that time the smallies will be moving into their pre-spawn areas.  That of course, will be determined by the weather we have here until then.  What type of structure should I focus on.  

I'd go with float-n-fly or suspending jerkbait worked in about 15-20' of water over softball to basketball-sized chunk rock banks.  If there are some rock bluffs in the area, maybe some larger boulders, and wind blowing into the bank, so  much the better.  In Dale Hollow 15-20 ft may only be 20 ft off the bank.  Good luck, that's a great smallie lake.

I will definately have a jerkbait tied on at all times.  I've never used the float and fly before, I may have a pick up a new combo before I go.  Could I just use a fly rod with a spinning reel?