What can I or should I do?

[jtmb005]

On my last vacation I set up a 9ft rod with 20lb test with a 3-way swivel, a 4 pyramid weight and a leader of 30 lb test with a 3/O circle hook. I was fishing on Oak Island at the Yaupon Pier, I lost three hooks, two rigs were completely gone, when a fish hit the line, which was baited with a baby blue or a croaker. I'm not really sure what I can do with the rod as this was my first time using it, being a gift from last year. Can anyone tell me if what I was doing is what the rod can be used for or if I did something wrong that resulted in the fish taking my line?