Reels have come along way since then. I use Abu Records on my musky rigs. They are really easy to set up so that you really have to do something stupid to cause a backlash. I have found the heavier musky lures are more forgiving in that regard. You just kind of sling them out there. I bass fish with Revo baitcasters and it takes a much more refined casting technique, reel adjustment and thumb control to cast a 1/2 ounce lure without a backlash.

There are some good videos on Youtube on learning to use a baitcaster. One suggestion I got from there, when I was learning baitcasters, was how to train your thumb. While watching tv in your favorite chair, hold your rod in your hand with some type of weight on your line, back off the friction knob, release your spool and repeatedly allow the spool to start and stop with your thumb until the weight hits the floor. Reel it up and repeat over and over. This will "train" your thumb, a skill you need to be able to do without thought.