I'm not a jig/float guy.

But I will tell you to forget this notion of "minimal thumb".
This would be something that a noob might do, especially after reading about all the magical cast control that his new reel possesses.

The notion that I would encourage is "never lift".
My thumb is always in contact with the spool in varying degrees of pressure. Everything is turned off and that is my cast control.
I can't live with even one brake weight engaged. I'm a distance junkie and will trade that off for an occasional oops.

With the jig/float setup, I don't think you're going to want to grip and rip.

Any light bait on a levelwind is difficult to master.
The jig/float a gangly setup when rigged "fixed' so a good lob sort of cast would be what I would try to achieve.
You will have to get some reps under your belt, concerning rod loading and thumb education.

You should be able to get started with just two brake weights engaged.
If not, add more and slowly turn some of them off as you get used to the set up.

Sounds like you're on the right track.


Edit:
Boat People can't cast, so take your casting advice from Bank Maggots.