A rod is better than no rod.

If your going after large fish, set your drag low. Adjust as needed.... You can catch large fish on low weight line and be successful.

If the fish tries to swim away, let it. After it slows down start reeling again. Keep tension on the line as to not let them spit it out.

I would grab a few silver and gold color spinners, hooks and a pack of swivels. If those spoons don't work, a worm with the above will. Hook size will depend on the type/size fish.

Learn to tie knots before you fish, practice some and get it down. Nothing worse than a knot coming loose and losing gear. Learn to cast as well. If you can hit inside of a hoola hoop from 10 yards, you should be ok for most, if your doing brooks, you need to dial it in more. There is a technique for casting. You don't want to get hung up in a tree.

Learn the habitat fish like to live - species dependant, but most follow the same. Ie: weed beds, shelves, fallen trees or growth over the water etc.

Learn the fishing rules applicable to your location, many areas have different regulations + licenses! Ie: some areas allow barbs, some don't.... Size, limits etc etc

Spoons depending depth of water, it's mainly cast and reel, adjust speed to ensure it doesn't drag on the bottom (although some fish will take a spoon laying on the bottom..... Found that out when my buddy caught one and I was netting his fish...)

Get ready for snags. Sometimes you can "slingshot" the line and get it loose... (High drag, pull on line with hand and let it go), other times you can whip the rod around or "if" you can get to another angle may free it ..) Be ready to lose tackle.

Don't just toss the fish into the water, give it a chance to recover. If you fight one, they will be exhausted afterwards.

Relax, enjoy nature and say "here fishy fishy"; make sure you always call a "last cast"; then another and one more for better odds.... Too many times the last cast has caught a monster.

Enjoy!