Shallower reefs (10-18 ft) should be active morning until 10am ish and then active again toward the evening starting around 5/6pm.
If fishing mid-day, I’d focus on the drop offs from the shallower reefs (20-30 ft) or any similar depth where you mark fish. There are lots of reports on here about areas holding fish in these depths.
I’d definitely target suspended fish, as they are most likely to be feeding walleye. You may pick up some with bottom bouncers, but more likely would be sheepshead and catfish generally speaking.
In terms of presentation, we’ve had most luck casting and drifting single blade worm harnesses with an small egg sinker 24” above the rig. This has produced more consistent walleye days for us when casting than Erie Dearies. They sell these at just about any local bait shop any more. Like your Erie Dearie, cast either off bow or stern so the bait swings on the retrieve. Give it a 5-15 second count depending on depth, then start a slow, sweeping retrieve. Sweep the rod, pause, reel down to tension, pause then sweep again. Most of our walleyes come on the pause.
Hope this helps. Good luck with your family.