Due to shoulder problems, I don’t plug anymore, but when I did, t was always with thumb levelers. I tried a whole lot of them over the years but stopped looking when I found the Penn Fathom 12(first issue) the reel has brake blocks like an Abu. I engage one block and leave a wee bit of side to side for the spool. 3in1 Blue(5wt?) in the bearings and it casts effortlessly all night long. Now that I only chunk, I’ve gone back to my Squidders, especially the one with the Newell spool and bars. When throwing 3 or more ounces, I get the same distance with the 140 as I do with the Fathom. There’s something special about fishing with a reel that was introduced in 1938 and dominated the surfcasting scene until the 1980s. Mine ride on honey Lamis too