We have a tournament out of Higgins Ferry on February 25th. I've been to Mitchell one time in my life, we put in way up by the bridge below the dam and mostly fished at the dam. I legit don't even know what the lake looks like. Been to Jordan lots of times, fish Lay several times yearly, but Mitchell is a total mystery.

Any suggestions of a part of the lake to spend time on? It's a dang long ride for us, so I ain't 100% sure we'll even make a practice trip before then. It's just a club tournament, might win $700/$800 (which I figure is a long shot having not even been there but once), so I'd just like to catch something to weigh for points. That's not a ton of incentive to make a 2 hour drive one-way just to put eyes on the place.

My partner fished it as a boat captain for Oxford High School a couple years ago, another one of their teams finished 1st with 20# and basically never cranked the big motor.

Oh I see

I was going to comment, but my experience somewhat mirrored yours. I mainly fished in and near the tail race. Maybe someone else will chime in.

What's the weather forecast for the day of your tournament? That will determine where you can fish but if its a normal February you can't win down the river. If there are 4 or more turbines on you can't win above the bridge. Holler at me before the TX and I will help you out if I can

I’ve never been on Mitchell or I would be happy to share info. Sounds like Ben may be able to help. I was curious, what club are you in? I would love to fish a club schedule but my work schedule would make it all most impossible. I work every other weekend.

Ideally, just lock through the dam and go to Lay.

Alabama rig and a jerkbait at the dam is about all you really need

We have a club out of Oxford called "Southern Bass Anglers of Alabama Team Trail". ( https://sbaateamtrail.com/ ) This is our 6th year. Not totally sure how many we got this year, but we've averaged around 45 teams, and usually average around 35 boats per derby. it's gotten tough the past couple of years, got a bunch of guys who are sticks in some of the bigger trails, and they don't feel sorry for ya

I was REALLY hoping to stay out of the tailrace, but I fear that's what it's gonna come down to unless the weather blows it out.

Dec-Feb is the best time to fish Mitchell. Unlike the other guys, I'm fishing for LM down river. I've had some really good days down there. Colder the better.

I don't know "Mitchell-specific", but I agree with you. I do worse on warm days early in the year....folks get excited when we have a Jan or Feb tournament and it's mild weather, but I usualy underperform. But let it be freezing cold, and I usually do far better.

It can't be cold enough. Best day I ever had there I'm not sure it got to 30 degrees. Ideal day would be in the low 30's with snow/rain.

You fishing for bass or saugers? 🤣🤣

Well we had our derby this past Saturday, finished 2nd out of 42 boats. We had 13.32 and first place had 13.36 (ouch).

We did make it down there Friday around noon and poked around for a few hours, and thank goodness we did. Stumbled on fish / pattern Friday afternoon and really just leaned on those fish (two places) all day Saturday. We tried to swing for the fence for an hour or two Saturday morning, but could not get a bite up shallow aggressively.