When setting the hook, on larger fish, you do need to keep your hand near or on the reel, as it will reverse spool and could cause the hook not to fully penetrate
Personally, I shoot the Leather Arrow Rest and the 1959 Leather Strike Plate because they are super quiet, smooth, and I like the way they look because, lets face it, thats important too
The chatterbait can remain a simple option in your arsenal, or you can start adapting retrieves from a high speed burn, to a popping retrieve, to a bottom hopping presentation, to take it to a whole different level
Yet you dont want a beginner or someone who will fish just a few times to spend a ton of money