I use hydraulics myself, I havent used the cable versions though so I dont know if they have the same amount of control.
I think a shorter stem will help, I use a 90 or 100mm I cant remember exactly which but as I said the most important thing for me was mastering the balance point & being comfotable with it so you can wheely along without having to increase your pedal stroke to keep it going, once you master that you will find you can stop peddling for short periods then you just have to practice & you will start increasing the distance you can go without peddling & keeping it going by leaning back & pushing down & forward with your legs if you lose the balance point & using the back brake if you go too far back.
Im still learning myself & can only do about 10 metres max on the flat & 20 metres on a slope but practice does help & it does look cool when you do these tricks.