conventional suggestions

[jimmy z]

I use 'em, alot. I use Daiwa SLA 20's, Abu 6500's and 7000's. Both cs and ct reels. I use an Okuma Contura 203, which is a super casting reel. And others.
It's up to you, really. If you want to cast conventional because that is what you want to do, than you will pick it up, quickly. Short casts at first, use your thumb, and when you retrieve after the cast, don't re-spool the line loose.
Also, when you bait of plug hits the water, stop the spool with your thumb. Most problems happen when the spool runs on.
You can do it!

[ecduzitgood]

Start with mono till you get the feel for casting with it, I still use mono (25yrs. now) and love the forgiving stretch it has when I put a little to much into a cast and it gets away from me.