Could I just use my shore rod like a bass rod

I got a 10ft med-heavy catfish rod which is obviously designed to sit while you wait for a fish to bite. I’m going to Rhode Island and hoping I can use it for stripers but for this time of year they’re gonna be aggressive and idk if just sitting around will get me anything. Could I just cast it and reel it with a swim bait?? Like is that going to affect me much lmao maybe this is a dumb question I just don’t think my regular bass rods could handle larger saltwater fish