Here is a good link that has tons of info on float fishing www.floatfishing.net As far as casting goes it quite confusing explaning it over the web. Someone tried explaining it to me, and ended up digging my self in a hole. Find someone who uses one and watch them for a while. It will take a while to get used to it, but once you do it becomes second nature. My only recommemdation is start off with a side cast, that is casting the line off the side of the reel. While this cast is very easy it creates huge amounts of line twist. After you get the feel for the pin, start praticing a BC swing cast, or casts that involve getting the spool spinning while you are casting. You won't have probs with twist with these casts. The islander you got is awsome, its probably the best mass produced reel on the market. This probably doesn't help much just making you more confused