Go talk to other fisherman...most are glad to help out! I always go for the old-timers...they are more receptive and have nothing to hide!! Good luck to you...if your fishing from the beach buy a surf-casting pole...gets you out further! It's a little tricky to toss out but once you get the hang of it...no worries!
A bad day fishing beats a good day working!
P.S. If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles.
TIGHT LINES,
CarolLynne