I suspect your only working the rod through about 30 degrees.............. , I fish on Chesil and every week I see some amazing casting techniques........ I have witnessed the swing it around and stick a set of mackerel feathers in my arse technique, the hit my kid in the head with the lead technique, the aim at the sea and send the lead back into west ex car park technique and the running javelin pendulob........ all have one thing in common bad timing or bad set up. The most common of all of the casting I see from less experienced casters is the one where they smash the rod through about 30 degrees with a lovely swooshing sound. The rod bends for about 1/10 of a second and then releases all the power you have put into it which is naff all.
Not sure where UM BONGO is (actually I do its in the Congo according to the song isnt it??
) but if you do find yourself back in good old Blighty and find yourself near Chesil drop me a line and I am happy to share my limited experience with you. Theres a meet down here in the 21st and I am sure that we can start to get you sorted out if you can make it.
I am certain that many others on here would make a similar offer and may be closer to the Congo that myself.
My best advice is actually the same advice I have been giving out for about 30 years............ watch the videos from John Holden on youtube.
They may be old but I think they explain in the simplest way how to get started and the simple rules of how to compress a fishing rod.