I love the reel for the most part, very smooth, great casting distance, but whenever i have a fish on, even with the drag turned up, i will be reeling and the spool will stop moving momentary, then just pick back up. I was messing around with it the other day when i had a fish on, and the handle turned backwards (it only did it once). So am I dealing with a faulty anti-reverse bearing? A faulty drag? Both? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thats kind of odd. It could very well be both, or something else.

Regardless I'd send it to Mike at DVT, you get a 10% discount for being a member, and you'll be extremely satisified.

If the handle turned backwards the AR clutch bearing is bad. If you want to send it in I'll take a look.