[Magpie]

Lots of questions, I'll try to answer all I can remember.

Right, multiplier reels, do they cast further? Yes and no, for light weights, plugs etc, no, for beachcasting, yes, in the right hands. Is the difference in distance noticeable? No, not really. I prefer using multipliers for all of my bottom fishing, from 1oz up to 8oz, but for plugging fixed spool is the way to go.
You do not need to brake the reel with your thumb (apart from stopping it at the end of the cast) as long as its set up correctly for type of fishing you are doing. I could talk for hours about how to set up multiplier and the different types of braking etc but you're better off sticking to fixed spools, the wrong multiplier will be an absolute nightmare if you don't know what you're doing with it. Most of my multi's (I have faaaaar too many) especially the ones used for proper distance, are customised to casts specific weights on specific line diameters.

There are many reasons to use heavy weights, tide and large baits being the main ones, most people will cast 4-5oz the furthest, though 8 can be cast plenty far enough, I can do 200m with 200grams, which is about 7 1/s oz, and I'm not that good on the heavier weights.

The daiwa whisker rods are not akin to the amorphous wisker rods we're talking about, they are spinning rods, and very good ones, but we're talking about top level beachcasters. A bloke called Paul Kerry used one to cast 290 yards....they haven't made them for many many years because the material became too expensive.

Limpets will catch you small rockies but not a lot else.