First casting rod 'n reel

[Abbeysdad]

Okay, always used open faced spinning gear except that time in my youth when I tried fly fishing mostly for "tree fish". As a youngster, I well remember my dad with his old school bait caster and him cussing every 3rd cast or so that backlashed - lol (In the olden days, I don't think they had the casting adjustments and counterweights like modern reels so if your thumb wasn't really smart relative to the toss, there'd be a mess).
I decided on an inexpensive Shakespeare rod and reel to dip my toe in the water without getting too crazy. I put some 14lb Stren sonic braid on it. I think I'll play some on the lawn before getting to the water.