As has been touched on, match the size of the hook to the size of the bait. I do the same as Peter and use number 1 and number 2 hooks for Alewives. I use 17 pound camo line on the reels and 17 pound fluorocarbon for the leader. The camo is tougher than the fluorocarbon. I use rubber core weights on my shallow trolling rigs. That way I can change weights quickly. I use egg sinkers for down rids. I use 2-3 oz down rods in the summer and one oz in the winter. The reason for the change is trolling speed. I troll faster in the warm months than in the winter. Stripers hit the lighter weight lines better but it's hard to keep one oz lines in the zone in the summer.

Planer boards and sliding bobbers are must have add ons. I use the off shore boards but there are better boards out there.