That reel was a remake of the ABU - ZEBCO reels of the same style, late 1990's? Never took off well, seems to me they were 200 - 300 bucks back then.
https://zebcofishingreels.net/en/american-classic-iv-circa-1997-rare-made-in-usa-zebco-cardinal-4-tribute-limited.php#American Classic IV circa 1997 Rare Made in USA Zebco Cardinal 4 Tribute Limited
Never was much of a fan of fishing for bedding fish, and even doing it for bluegill or crappie can harm the population without some limits and controls. Bother it until it bites?
https://majorleaguefishing.com/bass-pro-tour/bass-pro-tour-mlfnow-live-stream-stage-five-day-6-6-11-2023/
They were still bedding in New York 6 - 11, bed fishing seemed to be the key for big fish, and smallies far out numbered largemouth.
Our season opens a lot earlier here in Ohio, and it's been almost 20 years since I could seriously fish, but a plastic lizard or worm, on a jighead or Texas rigged.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/304814246099?hash=item46f85848d3:g:Wh4AAOSwGrFj9jAe&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAABAPEe6VQz9VVjBPdrbLD47rI1R7yPr8cSra2jxQPEyc9DR4MQR5a25HOKU14QHvlRWWk%2F4ZduNdnrvShD8rDjVRPyg2GLmSsNRjzGk0H%2Bq%2FAaTXfz07zTcoTEKeL5y5li5d7PD9RoeHAFkwiV7cPNGu3f1gHKC8tWFMVZm4dg9U7410vzHI49azpfAhr0lK5uQAKUPVtHwlZCRRG7Y43Wp4VT%2Fpx3SGMZIbK4TgGnc%2B2OkclYwJSomnkOG%2FqCyHoYqK54R2uB1YR7F8Ll%2FUp3VvL2C%2FqmVyTP7HFMm38tByWaaJl03DWMssf9h%2FS23xdNmpv2OitKipY8H3h59XgLvF8%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR6zkq9GRYg
A fitting like this can save you a lot of grief, keeps the cable lubricated.
https://minnkota-help.johnsonoutdoors.com/hc/en-us/articles/8237881282839-Installing-the-Circuit-Breaker-MKR-27-and-MKR-19
no clue, but a search by motor brand and age - thrust might help more? would a minnkota one work in a motorguide?
Sculpin are all over the place, just my experience that you might never see one unless you are seining your own bait. Doubt that they are the dominant bait fish anywhere?
https://www.cleveland19.com/2023/05/11/sentencing-2-fishermen-found-guilty-cheating-during-lake-erie-walleye-tournament/
They got off easy? but they are famous?
Haven't fished in almost 20 years now, if I had tungsten would have been a hard sell to me, Brass and glass worked for Carolina rigs, and brass is harder than lead so the feel and noise would be better?