The term "tightloop" refers to keeping the line up over your head. You do that by keeping the foreward and backward rotation of the rod short... 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock is the term you might hear. Do not bring the rod back behind the 2 o'clock position nor drop it in front of 10...
It is much easier to write than to do for a new caster. Relax and let the line start loading the rod before you move it in the opposite direction and then give the line plenty of time to catch up.
The automatic reels were very popular at one time, but they lost their flavor after the new wore off them. But for what you are doing it will work just fine.
art
