I Need Alot of Help...

[WCWes]

So here's the story, i recently purchased a 11'3'' cabelas surf rod and a Penn fierce 7000 reel. On the reel i have 20lb braid with a 40lb mono shock leader. Now the problem, whenever i attempt to cast the lure it goes a extremely short distance, or it stops short and slams into the water. I thought maybe it was my knot from braid to mono, but after a while of practicing i though i tied a pretty good "improved albright knot". Is my rod to big for me? Is my reel to big for casting lures? Is my knot really #^&#^&#^&#^&ty? Do i just suck at casting? Any advice would help. (Fishing for stripers on the West coast usually off beaches).