conventional newbie question

[ProfessorM]

I use non level wind reels and find the most important thing is how accurate you wind the line back on the spool. Space out and not pay attention and you are going to be in trouble the next cast, I do it all the time, especially when fish are breaking. I just look at the spool and say this is going to suck. Then I just gently cast it out and reel it back more uniformed. I usually leave one of the break things in there and take the other ones out but that is an ABU. Practice makes perfect.

[eelman]

The first thing I do when I purchase a new reel is to remove and toss out the casting blocks. I mainly use calcutta 400's. I only adjust to spool tension knob to eliminate the side to side wobble of the spool, after that I am ready to go. You can do everything with your thumb.You have an awesome reel there, IMO The 400s are the smoothest and nicest casting reels I have ever used, right out of the box without any modifications, so you have a great advantage there. I also use Abu's but mainly now just for livelining and casting with those is not as important, however I also remove the casting blocks from those also.

A good way to start is to only remove two break blocks and get comfortable with that, then remove another and so on till you have none left.

Most agree that spending the time learning to educate your thumb will pay off big time and make you a far better caster. Its really worth the time to practice.After awhile you just go on auto pilot and it becomes easy.Its a great way to fish and has many, many advantages over spin tackle, especially in the power and pure muscle department, if you fish live eels then its the best way to go IMO.The drawback is if you fish fast moving plugs etc, But even with those I still use the convench.

Keeping those breaks in will limit your reels ability to shine.