Reel

I've got 4 Shimano DC reel and like all of them. They range in price also. I've got a Calais, a Calcutta, a Curado an a SLX. Different prices =different systems. Like it has been said a DC reel performs very well with large, wind resistant lures like a Buzzbait, a frog, a spinnerbait or a jerkbait. If you fish large lakes with wind, they give you an advantage (distance) even if you have an educated thumb. They skip well also. But there is room for other breaking systems. If that system was the best for every situation, Shimano would be making only DC reels. That's not the case.

Shimano SLX

I use Shimano reels and their stock bearings are really good. Like the poster above, I change when necessary but some of my reels have 15 or even 20 year old bearings and make no noise. I lube them regularly ( 2/3 times a year) with a superior quality very light oil. Doing so is very important.

Lots of good information here. I fish the same water you do and for large smallmouths. I use similar equipment except for the rod. I use a longer rod ( 7' 6'' Shimano Intenza in L ). I use different heads some tungsten, some lead, but most with a small light hook. I don't strike hard and I don't back reel. I use a long fluoro leader ( 7 foot) with 10 or 15 pound Power Pro braid. I don't loose a lot of fish but when I do, it's on the first jump. It's easy to get excited when a 5 pound smallmouth is close to the boat (or under it). I'm very patient and get most of them in. I think a longer rods helps with the fight close to the boat. It helps you better control the fish.

With an electric steer motor like a Terrova, it's easier to use a built-in transducer. Running a transducer cable down to the motor requires a coil cord or another device. Also you cannot use a MinnKota down imaging transducer with a Lowrance unit, only 2D.

An other vote for the SLX DC

Most Shimano's nowadays have external settings which are used much more than internal settings.

Some will disagree with this but the worst thing you can do with a jerkbait is to give it too much action and not pause long enough.

Jackall Rerange

Bill Norman maybe ?

The Talora series from Shimano has some really nice rods for downriggers.

This

I like Metaniums

For walleyes, in early Spring I regularly use a drop shot rig from shore using similar equipment. This is the only way they will bite where I fish. The only difference is that I use 10 pound (soft) Power Pro 8 strand braid and a 1/2 oz weight. The size of the weight doesn't matter when it's on the bottom and at that time of the year, the fish don't bite while the bait is sinking. I have no problem with distance.

That's what I use.

I don't know what brand of reel you have but if it's a Shimano spinning reel, there are little round shims in the box to help you get an even winding line if need be.

The new Curado rods from Shimano would go well with that reel. They are similar to the Zodias but less expensive. A 7 foot medium would be nice with your reel.

The more you do it, the better you get. It's actually more difficult to relace old guides than to put new ones on a new rod.

In that price range I like the Shimano SLX spinning rods - A general purpose 7 footer would be good.

I'm from Quebec. I also fish lake St-Francis and the St Lawrence river

For smallmouth, in gin clear water, after more than 30 years of using spinnerbaits, I now only use a 1/2 oz homemade chartreuse and white spinnerbait. I use willows, one chartreuse and one white. Like most of the others I use speed as a trigger. One thing that was not mentioned is that I use a matte silicone skirt. I fish the same waters as Finessegenic.

Yes, I use tailspinners in Fall for smallmouth. I use the Jackall Deracoup that I like better than the Mann's. It seems to hang up less.

No, No spinning rods under 7 foot.

My favorite rod for that kind of bait would be the Shimano Intenza.

My best cold water technique, and by cold water I mean chunks of ice drifting down the river and water at freezing temperature, is the drop shot.