Boy was today ever a disaster to me today. I broke not one but TWO baitcasters today. The spool of my Pro Qualifer and then my Shimano Curado just flat out broke when I was reeling in a decent fish on each setup. I have never seen anything like this!!!! Everything else on both reels are undamaged except for the spools.

I had the reels serviced recently and I believe that could have been the reason. Could someone have damaged them? The reels were acting fine and normal and neither fish was a monster when the spool broke (about 3 and 2.5 pounds).

Anyone else ever have this happen? Good thing I have a warranty on both reels.

Man, that's weird. I have never heard of anyone breaking a spool, let alone two on

one outing. I really can't even imagine how a spool would break while fishing.

Can you post some pics? I can't imagine how a spool would break. I would think the aluminum would bend before it would break.

yeah post some pictures and somebody here can probably tell you what happened. Quite a few guys in here that fix reels might be able to identify the problem.

I'd like to hear more about this too. I've seen spools damaged from mishadling (dropped etc) but not an outright failure. Are we talking about bent shafts or what?

Not the shaft bent, but the spool on each reel cracked right in half. I already sent both reels in to be replaced, wish I would have taken pictures. Shimano told me today they will just replace the spool on my Curado 200E5 since that reel isn't made anymore. I have always been very careful and taken great care of my reels. In my almost 20 years of using baitcast reels I have NEVER had this happen.

Were you using braid? With or without a mono backing? What percentage of the line strength did you have the drag set to?

Lol how does that even happen? Especisly 2 in 1 day wow bad luck man!

Were you using braid? With or without a mono backing? What percentage of the line strength did you have the drag set to?

No. 15 pound mono on the PQ and 10 pound mono on the Curado, drag set normally like I always do, not totally locked down.

Lol how does that even happen? Especisly 2 in 1 day wow bad luck man!

I don't know how. And I mean the spool broke right in the middle, the metal just cracked and broke. I am still in disbelief.

What I find is amazing is that it is 2 different brands having the same of very similar problem, I might be looking at the place that serviced the reels as the underlying culprit.

What I find is amazing is that it is 2 different brands having the same of very similar problem, I might be looking at the place that serviced the reels as the underlying culprit.

2X on what he said!

2X on what he said!

X3, valid possibility...

Mike D

How old are the reels?

Did you store them in a very hot or very cold place?

Metal fatige in baitcaster spools is new to me. I never heard of the problem.

It may be a good idea if all of us check our spool for signs of any metal fatige, if one can note the damage. I don't think I would know what to look for but it is worth the effort.

Thanks for sharing with us. Your post continues to make this Forum very valuabe.

I wonder what that shop uses for a cleaner or degreaser. I ruined the rims of my wifes Blazer using straight Simple Green on them. It aggressively attacks anodized aluminum.

Yeah this is crazy. I wonder if they used something acidic or a reaction produced something with a low enough PH to weaken the metal.