yall think smooth rod would work instead of reebar? kinda limited on resources

Yes

Smooth rod is much easier to weld on for making drowning rods

that's part of what I was thinking. also what is the best type of locking slide. I was going to buil the flat ones with a 90° on it

That style of lock will work good on smooth rod. I use smooth rod and that’s the type of lock I made. I welded a double stake swivel on the top end of the rod. Once you put the lock on the rod, just heat up the bottom end of the rod and smash it with a hammer to make it wide enough the lock can’t slip off.

Only time I used one, was when trapping beaver , the ice was weak and melted around the lake.
Open water was about 3 foot open then ice.
Used a couple I made just for that .
Welded a foot wide u to one end for the stake end upside down, used a pipe cut about 2 inches long, welded a flat bar piece for a brake if pulled one way, but a slide the other.
A " T " at the end as a stop.
Couldn't use my normal cable or wire downer , because of the ice.
Could slide it under the ice, and push the u into the ground.
Worked like a charm.
But never used it other than that time.
Lot of crap to carry to a setting area.
I used what I had, rebar 3/4 inch.

Holy moly 3/4 rebar. Bet that suckered did weigh quite a bit

I use smooth 3/8” 6-8’ rods that used to be supports for old streetlight luminaries. Love em. I can bent them a bit so it’s a smooth transition over the bank that’s sometimes under the water. The last foot of them are threaded and an eye loop built in at the other end for a bolt to go through the hydro pole. Some guys around here use nothing less than 1/2” though, but I haven’t had any “situations” yet….lol

My first drowning rods were salvaged chain link fence tensioners. pretty much the same thing you used and the locks were still attached, it was a great find. only thing is theyre only 6 feet so can only use them in spots that get deep quick...but not too deep