i believe reel failure is a real sissue. yeah sure it can be due to the way we fish or lack of maintinence  . but when you think about it thousands of reels are made by the same machine or person any you cant tell me that they will all be perfect.

I dont think you or anyone else is stupid. From where I sit it has been a bit of trial and error. Especially with the advent of braid. Without naming names, some reels arent made to handle braid for an extended period. Some reels are made and handle braid and a certain style of fishing whilst others dont cut the mustard. Think jigging, popping, and any other style of fishing with alot of repetition. I think also that maitenance plays a big part as to how a reel will fare. I have had handles on spin reels become loose and sloppy, and other parts of the reel break. Maybee the manufacturer should beef these parts up as it is common for the same part of the reel to fail continuously!!

And have never had a reel fail, and I am by no means the kindest person with my reels, and push them. However the line is always matched to the reel, and when getting smoked the line will usually snap before the reel perishes. And I have had some smoking reel but they havent failed.

I am sure that if you have a balanced outfit, correct drag then you should get spooled before the reel fails, even though my pride would probably prefer the reel going up in smoke rather than being spooled. I feel very sad over $100 briad going in the drink, but if my $500 reel fails I would simply go Oh well, thats fishing and get another.

Neels

i have had a reel failure

took it into shop to be warranteed , and they'd had another in the previous day with exact same problem.

i'd say it does happen