Hold the rod with your dominant hand in a comfortable grip. Hold the rod horizontally so the reel is facing the ground. Your fingers need to be wrapped around the handle, at the spot where your reel is attached to the rod. Keep adjusting your hold until you find a comfortable grip.
Maintain a loose grip to allow better wrist action when you cast a line. The spinning wheel needs to be below the rod. Spin the rod so that the reel mechanism sits under your wrist and then adjust your grip.