Hi.. Alan Rounder....Please read the instruction guide which came with the reel! You should use your'thumb" on the rim as the brake, and for more, extra control, the palm of your hand on the bottom of the spinning spool.You should'nt play the fish via the handles, only to retrieve line when the fish is beaten or when running towards you! The 'turning' of the reel is because your playing the fish via the handles, which is not the way to use 'a' or this centrepin. The true purpose of the reel is for 'rolling' baits, where the rod is held in the hand, and not used via a rod rest, hence the weed taking line. However,the tension can modified by a 'stronger' spring from J.W.Youngs. I originally tried using it your way with the line coming off from the top and i found it very awkward and impracticle for the method. Any more problems then let me know...Rollin Ray, have a nice day. P.S....A mark 2 version with new features is in the pipeline via myself and J.W.Young!