So I picked up one of these the other day and I really like this reel. However the first day I started using it after a while the reel starting to kind of grind and me hard to reel in, kind of hard to describe. Anyone heard or had any similar issues? Should I just return it and grab another one or two to put some oil in it?

Probably just a fluke. They are awesome reels. I would just return it and get another, or a few...lol.

Hootie

What Hootie said

Probablly is a bad lemon. I got my CI4 at the end of last year and had only been able to use it for maybe 3 outings. I had said that I liked it more than my Curado I but I did not think it was worth $100 more. However after using it since ice off of this year and getting more experience with it I do think it is worth the extra $100 (you can find it for much cheaper than retail though)

Had the same issue with mine...turned out i had some dirt and some slime weed stuff in the worm gear. Cleaned it up and problem solved