Live bait for big cats. Crayfish, bluegill/perch, stocker carp. Circle hooks. Bigger than you think.
Don't drown bait for very long. If you don't get bit in 15 minutes, move.
Rivers fish the tops of drop holes.
Fish current.
Big net with a long handle.
I'm now out of tips.
Quality canning fish for sure. Filet and do not worry about a few bones. Chunks in pint jars. Table spoon of ketchup, S&P, pressure can. Makes great carp cakes. Not joking.
I spent about $100 on the one I have. I'll look at it later and see if I can find model number. Edit: It's a Trio 30. $80 at Tackle Direct. Been a good reel for me. Also, the rod is actually a 6'6" MF premier.
My medium Salt combo is a 7' M St. Croix Premier with an Okuma 30 reel spooled with 15 lb mono. Happy with it but never had anything over maybe 10 lbs on the business end. Okuma is well known for a good drag. I agree.
When you say collect drinking water I trust you mean with a sani straw or other appropriate treatment. Sounds like a neat trip. Just me here but I'd forego the spinning gear and carry what was comfortable. Good luck and have fun.
I have a pescador. If I had it to do over again I'd be looking at a Coosa or something similar. The pescador is a little narrow for optimum stability and the seat is dead low. But for the $$$ definitely a good buy.
A good comfortable sitbacker is to me the #1 requirement.
I use a piece of chain covered with a length of bicycle innertube for kayak anchor.
Trolley and simple rope lock are very helpful. I just run the anchor rope through some eyes I added to the boat.
Don't forget to leash your paddle to the boat.
Good luck and have fun.
I feel sorry for anybody that can't pop a squat in a little hole they dig with a collapsible e-tool. If that's you and you're with me, you're on your own.