reel trouble

[gfswolf]

I just bought a new reel and went fishing today for the first time. I have never had any real instruction on using it, so I'm having to learn as I go. I noticed a knob on the back of the reel. When I turn it one way, I can reel backwards or forwards. When I turn it the other way, I can only reel in. So I turned it that way. Later, when I caught a sunny and tried to reel it in, the reel started sputtering. It made a tic-tic-tic-tic sound and the line wasn't coming in. I finally had to grab the line and pull the fish in myself. Anybody know what this is about? Thanks for any help.
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