Nice little report, bugger rowing a frosted tender out to the boat in the cold and dark. Fair play.
Tip..... when you drop your photo, then click on the "actual size" link at the bottom and chose a slightly smaller file.
As shown....
Blimey you lot have really drifted @mike farrants's thread. Poor guy wants to know about reels not your qualifications.
How's he gunna get a stocking filler with that kind of info? Unless he's into ballbearings!
Yes you will still need to control it with your thumb. An experienced multi caster will be able to tell by the sound of the spool speed slowing when to thumb it. I don't do enough casting, and for this reason I also use a FS reel on the beach. A decent 8-10'000 will land anything and cast miles.