I will be there the same time, but I'm just north of hay bay.
The tip on trolling a CC Shad till the paint comes off is not a joke. They are just killer on the walleye up there. In the early season, drift/troll a lucky strike vector spoon tipped with a worm is always a good bet. Try starting at Thompson's Point and troll/drift into hay bay trying to stay in 11-13 fow.
As for a good walleye rod/reel set up............dont know what kind of cash you want to spend, but if you go with a 6' - 6" to 7" St Croix med action rod and a Shimano Ci4 Stradic reel, you will never look back.
Good luck up there!
Teach a kid how to fish