[RobF]

I've been using a conv reel with braid and 12' rod for fishing the shore rocks for a year or more now. There were some truly bad casting days in the beginning where I wanted to throw the whole lot into the ocean.

My reel is set so that it basically spins freely when I'm casting -- no magnets or drags. I can't begin to instruct someone how to cast, but one thing that I've found important is keeping the line wet. It helps a lot to keep the line winding up tight. I keep a small spray bottle of water to soak the reel, just before I cast, whenever it gets dry. Another benefit of the water is that your thumb never gets hot or abraded. One other this is to try to keep the line winding on roughly evenly.

Rob