Lived, worked and fished in Florida for many years...The absolute best place for fishing is Islamorada...The Moorings is a 5 star resort...Bud and Marys Marina has the most extensive charter fleet plus you can hand feed wild tarpon from their docks...This area is considered the sport fishing capital of the entire US..Suggest you contact the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce for more information...

Since this is your first trip fishing on a boat use the old tried and true anti seasickness method as follows...Always keep the horizon as your reference point when not looking at your rod and line...Do not stare down at the line or the water constantly...This will lead to seasickness...Remember to keep horizon in sight...Has worked for me for 65 years...

Lived in the area for many years..Still miss fishing there...Never fished offshore, only inshore usually near south part of island...Can provide one good spot at south end of island at Longboat Pass over to Longboat Key...If you enter pass from offshore go south past LBK public pier then go east to south end of Jewfish Key...At this point you should be almost directly across from the Shore Restaurant on LBKey...Fish all around south part of Jewfish Key in the rocks...Should find Sea bass, Flounder and Sheephead on rocky area...Good luck...Also, ask how to get to Egmont Key by boat for excellent fishing north of Anna Maria...

May be a stupid question but are you opening the bail before casting? Drag setting has nothing to do with casting a spinning reel since the bail is open during the cast...Also, line should be loaded to about 1/16 to 1/8 inch from lip of spool...