holiday wading

I had made up my mind after my last post to pick up a 6 wt. then received a 5wt for Christmas. I have used it almost every day since (I have been on paternity leave and mom and baby’s nap time gives me a couple of hours to go wade near home) and been very happy with the outfit. Yesterday though I think the reel went out. I got a GLoomis venture 5 reel and spooled it with slow sinking 6wt line. I had caught a couple dozen trout on it as well as a few slot size reds then yesterday I hooked the man red out of a deep hole. After he peeled it down a couple of times the reel just free spooled backwards with no drag at all. It would work for a minute than freespool. It did it all evening after this but this morning it won’t do it again. Any suggestions? I think I am going to take it back and see if I can swap it out for a new one. The setup is great for trout and slot reds but it is definately too whippy when the man comes to eat.
cayman