While the sound can be annoying there is nothing wrong with your reel and typically becomes unnoticeable with line on the spool. The noise is caused by a change in momentum as the spool hits the top or bottom of its oscillation and reverses direction. It is more predominate in some reels vs others but there isn’t anything wrong with the reel. I have found it tends to be less noticeable when line is added to the spool not sure why other than maybe the added weight helps muffle the sound.

Went back, they all make that noise.

Probably the last time I'm gonna look at a pflueger product. $100 reel should be better than that. I never expected it to be a stradic, but did expect a relatively quite smooth reel that doesn't make noises and feel clicky during retrieve.

80% sure gonna pick up a second stradic, unless I find something worth it btw $100-$175.