Several years ago I got my first Bait cast rod and reel combo. (Christmas)Learned to use it in the house. Down the hall, under the table, flippin between the chairs, and even onto the counter scaring the piss out of the wife when she wasn't looking. Also using the coffee can pattern. If you can learn in a house with the wife yelling at you.............Tried to get my son to hold the plug in his mouth so I could imagine I was realling one in.(Is that wrong) He actually wanted to, but the wife.., lets just say she wasn't happy about it. No it didn't have a hook!