Although not mechanically un-inclined, I don't dare pull that thing apart, especially since it's still under it's 1 year warranty.
DadFisherman: Definitely not a spool issue and the only 'abuse' it has taken is frequent dunkings.
Spoke with a local reel guy. He says he's fairly certain there is a bearing issue... He said he could hear and 'feel' it as well when cranking. Looks like I'm taking a trip to Old Saybrook when things slow down at... well you should know where.
Thanks all once again.
"Don't kill them for ego, don't kill them because they're legal, and don't kill them for someone else." - Doc Muller
He said he could hear and 'feel' it as well when cranking. Looks like I'm taking a trip to Old Saybrook when things slow down at... well you should know where. 
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