fishing below a dam in December

I've got a club tourney next Saturday.  I'm in 3rd in the club right now and would love to move up in the rankings.  We're fishing below Pickwick Dam.  I know I can make a decent run downstream to some creek mouths and catch some 12" spots, but I've got a 90HP on my 17' Javelin and any run in my boat takes some time.  I also don't think a limit of spots will help.  Our November tourney was about 30 miles down stream from the dam.  I had five 12"-13" spots and came in next to last.  

I need advice on how to catch some of these keeper brown fish that I hear Roadwarrior and others talking about on here.  Obviously, since it's a tourney, no live bait, but any other suggestions on baits, depths, presentation, etc.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Mike