New to replace lost

Lost 2 of my rods and reels yesterday.
Was packing things into my boot when I left out my very first old and rusty kiddy 6-ft rod and another old but trusty 6-ft rod which I purchased from Changi Village. They were attached with reels too. When I remembered I left them out, I was already home. And when I return to fetch them from the beach, they had disappeared - of course - given those greedy people! It was about $50 worth of equipment there (if brand new).
So I went back to Henry's with a vengence. Bought a 8-ft rod ($18) and a daiwa 3500 reel ($22). The rod was stiff and the reel really smooth. Tried it just now at Carl's Jr jetty. Can cast really further than all my previous rods. But due to the hard cast, the prawn meat tend to fly out too. So must hook properly and observe as you cast.
Nonetheless, no catch (except 3 sea snakes! Argh!).
But thank God for the sea and the opportunity to fish!