Finesse with the thumb! I can feel a nest coming on by the way I casted it. Just a little more pressure from the thumb. You can minimize the birds nest that way. It takes practice. You need to start out by over setting the brakes on a baitcaster. This will minimize your problems until you get the hang of it. Gradually back off the brakes as you get the feel of it. I run mine with very minimal braking. The control comes from my thumb. I like the casting distance this gives.