Love the Mitchell "Click" I could recognize it anywhere. Like a 60's ford truck; rebuildable to last another 50 years. No Electronics / No Computers / No Batteries = Never Fails!!!!!!
Fishing with "old school" equipment has a charm all its own. This year I bought some old baitcasting reels and vintage rods. My brothers and I had a blast catching bullheads and perch with the vintage equipment. It took me about an hour to learn how to cast those baitcasting reels without getting a backlash. Since then I fished all spring and summer without any backlashes. It brought back a lot of memories of fishing with my uncles when I was a kid in the 1960s. They always used baitcasting reels, and I marveled at how they could cast so adeptly with them.
In 1961 I mowed a bunch of lawns, took the money, and bought a Mitchell 300 and a Mitchell 304. Have been cranking them ever since. Both reels have their original parts. I have worn out too many "high tech" graphite reels with all sorts unneeded ball bearings in no time. You are right, these are great reels that you can self-service and are just plain fun. Like AN AK-47, IT NEVER FAILS AND GETS THE JOB DONE.
*Nice reel so far **enjoyable.fishing** recommend used it for about an hour after getting it from Amazon and functioned flawlessly. Very smooth retrieve and the anti reverse is perfect. Feels like a reel that would be double the price.*
Hey Skipper ! I love the clicking sound when using my old Mitchell and other old reels, music to my ears. Good sportsmanship on you for tossing small ones back and limiting catch .
Right about un-fixable cheap reels. That's why I decided to recondition my 25yr+ old reel. It has simple mechanism and built to last. And with a little elbow grease its working like new again.
It is a good hobby to fix old reels and then catch fish with them. I am enjoying this hobby too.I bought an old Penn reel and took it completely apart,cleaned it lubricated it and it is working wonderful. And this hobby is rewarding. I catch fish with this reel.
I have a Mitchell 300 and a Point Professional 910. I use them every time I go fishing along with my modern spinning and bait caster reels. I love them.
Hey Skipper you've made me homesick! I'm from Bowie and been gone too long. Up here in Chicagoland since 87. Love your video. I recently bought an old Garcia Mitchel 300. Just yesterday I cleaned it out and regreased the gears. Can't wait to put in on a spinning rod and go try it out. I also love the old Ambassadeurs for casting and old Zebco 33's as well. I'm 70 and feel like a kid all over again when I watch fishing videos (not the ones for pros). Talk to ya later Skipper. Rogee
Hey in the Mid 60s as a teenager I bought a Shakespeare Wonder Rod, the White Spiral Fiberglass, which I installed a Mitchell 300 for light freshwater and once I joined the Military and was assigned to Ft Eustis it worked wonderfully on the inshore banks catching hundreds of flounder and croaker. The rod held up into my mid 50s but the reel got to the point I could not hand make parts anymore. The rod blank was fine after a few guide change outs but once the brass ferrules weakened sadly I lay it to rest. But those Mitchell reels were noted for rugged reliability.
Bought a mitchell 300 serial number v . put it on a vintage berkely rod. Bass catching machine. Like you i also had same gunked up inside. Took it apart cleaned it oiled and greased it up. Also fixing up other vintage rods and reels. Great video.
Man that reel was so loud my neighbors and dogs was going crazy!!!! Lol! No but awesome you brought the old school setup! I enjoyed it...I agree with you man...I'm happy you and Erin get out there and enjoy what you love. It's true being out with nature just puts you in peace and happiness. My wife and I do the same. I as well love to fix my own reels and maintain my stuff. Keep educating us like always but I know deep down...you want to get back and catch the big ones again hehehehe!
Sir, Back in 1975, I was fishing in Windsor Ct . USA the Connecticut River with my little 304 when I came across a Carp who came in at 35 pounds on a 6lb line River Miss by Garcia the line was made here in a town called Rockville Ct. I have many Garcia 120s, spin-cast and they also made Garcia 170s I also have spinning 520s and 505s now I sit here in my wheelchair at the age of 82 years old and watch someone like you have all the fun THANKS TO YOU AND THE MISSES🐟🐟🐟 🐟
My dad uses only old school stuff. Not necessarily antique items but they still make all the same style stuff. He refuses to use anything else bc he catches everything he wants to catch with them.
I just purchased a mitchell 304 off eb@y ,, hope it works lol ..........In the 1960's My dad and his neighbor buddy and me use to fish off a pier in the South River Maryland at night . We would put a live minnow on a shad dart like you showed and by the time the minnow hit the water Yellow Perch were grabbing it , I found out real quick Yellow Perch didn't scale as easy as white perch lol ............(I bought two Mitchell 300's last week) that was my go to reel in the late 60's
Man here conditions are not good,we can't even step out of our home. But today's video brought some relief from home sickness..thanks lot skipper family
I used to depend on a Mitchel 308 and a 5’ 6 “ Ugly Stick rod as my go to ultralight until the 1990s. OMG what a dependable combo. I still have that ugly stick and it still is a little horse but sadly replaced the reel. Got it when I was 16 and am now 53, amazing.
I just found 1 in an Antique shop for $35 and I can't wait to use it. I first saw on UA-cam and wanted 1. This will be 1 fishing pole I will never get rid of.
*video starting - Wait a second.. *I run over to a pile of cartons - "Mitchell 304" Aaah.. *turning it around - "Made in France" .. Interesting! Regards from Germany. ;)
Ty for this video, I still use my grandfather's old spinning reel. Doesn't catch much but when it does it's worth it. He taught me and my brother how to fish and when I use the "vintage" rod...man, it's the best feeling in the world. Stay safe.
Several years ago when I got back into fishing again, I snagged a Mitchell 300, a 304 and an old fly reel on eBay for $30. The Mitchells were really krusty and grody, but I completely disassembled the 300 first and removed all the old grease and put it back together. It was a real rush to string it up and catch fish with it, it was my first ever quality fishing reel, having grown up with push button Zebcos and that’s about it. The Zebcos will catch fish no doubt, the the silky and strong 300 mechanism and gear train is a real pleasure to use. I cleaned up the 304 the following summer but had lots of issues with string getting tangled up under the rotor cup. I may need to do some more experiments with that one. Either way, I have also surf fished with a Mitchell 302 and a 306 and they are both great reels as well.
For $10.00, yesterday I picked 2 Mitchell 300's in great shape. These reels were the "bomb" back in the 1960's but even today, I still use my 300 on the river nearby the house. A lot of terrific memories I have using Garcia reels. 🧐🌲🌲🌲👍
Have a Mitchell 300 that was new in the 1960's ... feels like a coffee grinder now, but it still works. The main problem with spinning reels, back in the 50's, was the "primitive" mono line that was available. It was stiff, became brittle, and didn't last long. Most of those issues were resolved when Stren hit the market. It's still a fine line today, decades later.
Remove the 3 screws on the handel side. After serval years the grease get dry and at last stiff like plastic. Take the Side off and clean the inside and gearings with WD 40 and then brush the gerarings with some Teflon Lubrikate grease or oil. I have MITCHELL Reels since 1939 and Teflon Grease oil is the best every fishingreel can get for long life and smooth running!
Great video, I too live in the Maryland area and picked up a few Mitchell reels at flea markets back in old Yough River home water area of PA. Four nice 50-60 year old reels for less than $20. Great video...we now fly fish Maryland, PA and Steelhead n Erie.
I collect vintage fishing reels and always keep an eye out for Mitchell reels unfortunately for the buyer lol people now re sell these 304 reels around £20-40 used ( depending on condition ) They are extremely strong and like a lot of older European reels with pin drag systems they make a clicking noise when the drag is loosened to alert you that a fish is on basically an earlier in-built alarm Great video Tight lines all
@@HeySkipper I put some pictures up on FishBrain yesterday, but I just used the 304 yesterday and caught about ten 11-16 inch trout with no issues! Love this reel!!!!
Great video! I own 16 Mitchell spinning reels and some of them are collector’s items worth a lot of money. Altogether I have purchased and restored 62 vintage spinning reels most of which are large saltwater reels. I’ve seen some of your other vintage reel videos and I love them. I’d love to see you try a Mitchell 499, 496, or 498 large saltwater reel. In excellent condition these reels cost anywhere from $150 to over $300. They are much harder to find than reels like your 304 or the venerable 300. I only fish with vintage reels. I just don’t like modern reels that are made with cheap inferior materials and poor designs that only last a few years. My newest reel was made around 1980. Thank you for doing this video. I’m retired and started collecting and restoring vintage reels about a year and a half ago. I love these old reels and totally agree with your fishing philosophy. Seriously try finding some of the large Mitchell saltwater reels - 302, 306, 402, 406, 386, 396, 486, 488, or 498. The best surf fishing reel I have ever used is a Garcia Mitchell 396 PUM with a custom arm and line roller and a 498 high speed handle. It cost me over $150 and was worth every penny. I also love the old Penn “Greenies” - the 700 and 704 and all the Z reels. You just can’t beat them. I recently obtained a 1961 Spinfisher 700 - the first edition of the Penn Spinfisher. I have seen one of these on EBay listed for $750. I think my collection can be valued at from $4500 to $6000 conservatively. Keep up these vintage reel videos. It is a great hobby! Stay well and keep safe!
@christopherjenkins2373 Sounds like a fine collection. I caught my first fish, a Rainbow Trout, using my Dad's Herter's fiberglass kit rod with a 304. For my 12th birthday in '69 I got a Conolon rod and a 300. I still have and use all of them, and started a lifelong search for the good stuff at yard sales and thrift stores in the 70's. You just can't beat the vintage gear. I fish a 308 on a 70's Fenwick UL 'glass rod for Trout in the streams and lakes up in the mountains, up to my 406 on a Shakespeare Wonderod for Stripers and the other sizes for everything in between. My search for vintage rods, reels, and lures to fish with has never completely stopped. The hard core collectors think I am nuts to still use the good old stuff, especially the wooden plugs, but I am not beyond swimming to get a prized one back from a snag. Most are well battle scarred but as long as the hooks are kept sharp, and I service my reels regularly they catch just as well now as they did when I was a kid. The prices on Ebay for the really clean gear have shot up over the last 10-15 years, so my gear search has slowed some lately. Not having fished salt water much but having a taste for the local lunker catfish, I started to pick up some of the larger serviceable Penn reels a few years ago and now have a good stock of different reels and a supply of spare parts for all of them. I am interested in the custom line roller that you mentioned for your 396 PUM reel. Is that a part that you made, or is it commercially available? Nice to hear about your collection, and thanks for any advice you could share with me about the custom parts. Tight lines!
Not sure if the internals are similiar to my mitchell 308, but i think it might be. So if you want to quiet the clicking sound just add a little more grease on the small swing arm that moves inside the reel when you move the antireverse switch, and add a little more grease on the gear that it engages to which is behind the main gear. That is what i did when I restored my mitchall garcia 308. It will make the clicking sound quieter, add to much it makes the clicking sound silent while keeping the antireverse working. The good thing about adding a little more grease there is if you notice the clicker sound gets a little louder you know its time to do maintenance and regrease your reel. Hope this helps if you like using that reel but want it a little quieter. Fish on and Tight lines...🎣
In CA no fishing what so ever. Sad sad sad. Looks like you guys had a great day outside! I’ve always had budget gear (Shakespeares from Walmart!). Still catches fish. Just can’t see spending money on stuff! Be safe. Keep healthy guys! Thank you for the lessons and the videos!!
I coveted the Mitchell reels from the 1970's. I couldn't afford it, because I was just a kid. So all we got were the kits like Pflueger spincasts and baitcasters that came with rods, a tacklebox, hooks, sinkers, the whole package deal. It worked then, and will work today. It's just not as smooth as the full-ball-bearing reels today. Bottom line: restored Mitchells, Garcias are quality old-school reels with good karma for fishing.
I have a Mitchell 304 on a 7’ 6-12# rod great old school reel. You have to watch how tightly you pack the line on though. The spools have a tendency to explode under pressure. Such a fun little reel little reel...perfect for perch fishing. If you haven’t already done it...try using a sabiki rig for the perch. Very effective!!
I have a Mitchell 306a, which I bought back in 84. When they whee still made in France. That's when Mitchell reels where great. Mines loaded with 15 pound test Ande mono. Stay safe and great video. P.S. Mine also clicks, but not nearly as loud as yours, not sure if you could fix yours. Mine also had a push button spool release so you could change spools quickly, not sure I can find spools any more.
Come down to Pensacola Florida once this quarantine is over man! You’re the best fishing content on UA-cam and I’d love to have you down here for a trip!
Looks like fun! I think the whole “fishing only for food” constraint is ridiculous but as usual, you guys are making the best of things! Btw I have used these Shad darts in saltwater too to catch whiting & mullet (for bait).
Picked up a Michell 300 + extra spool for about $6.50 at an estate sale. Two weeks later, got a rod/reel 308 for $5 at a garage sale. Both looked to be in great shape.
I would love to be able to live along that water , it’s amazing how so many people who live along water don’t ACTUALLY fish And you don’t see them come out to enjoy the massive yard
My wife and I went white perch fishing on the Chowan river in North Carolina day before yesterday . We caught fish galore. Actually she caught fish and made me work removing her fish and baiting her line. Lol
I was convinced fish will bite anything when I ran out of worms and took a piece of my bagel to use as last resort bait. Caught a nice crappie on a little bagel ball. Love these videos, keep it up!
The real fisherman's challenge..... take every thing that you know from the east coast, and see if it presents you, ANY fish, on the SOUTHERN WEST COAST!!!! Mackerel do not count, gauntlet is set!!! LET"S GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@wtfwhereami I have asked them to come a year ago.. they caught spanish mackerel, that is why I want them to come back, watching east coast tutorials, is pointless, because it does not work here, even ONE ROD ONE REEL, could only catch 1 small fish in 3 days, so if they say they want to help people learn to fish... they need to quit skipping the west coast! cuz we can't use bubble gum, and whole chickens as bait... lol!! ;)
@@SuperBaconFishing exactly! I usually use (tiny) raw shrimps and bacon! I was actually just out earlier today catching smelt and perch on a rooster tail tipped with prawn meat.
@@SuperBaconFishing it's a blast my dude, works with all sorts of fish, and for freshwater I tip with worms or bacon. I get hoggy bass that way, now if I could only catch the big ones when I bring a net! 😂😭😂 Sometimes I hate using an ultralight
Hi, Thank you for the video. New subscriber from NYC - so this is great to see. I actually use vintage South Bend/Gladding and Penn reels with True Temper poles, and the feel, use is excellent. PS: If its ok to give shout to an older gent Dennis and his UA-cam channel (he is helping alot of First Responders), called "2nd Chance Tackle". He does DIY repairs on vintage and older equip. He is a walking book of knowledge on repair. Be well and safe!
Great video ! I love the clicking sound on old reels :-) What do Perch taste like? We have freshwater Perch in New Zealand, but people don't eat them..
Old reels are functional and can be kept going with parts but 90's is about as far back as you want to go and still have a pleasant reel to use. With rods you can get away fine with older fibreglass models if you're not after anything big or needing to cast big weights, in some cases they actually have a much more forgiving playing action but strong fibreglass rods are heavy and easily outclassed by entry level carbon rods.
I have 4 or 5 Mitchells. A couple bought by me dad. Not sure why people say they are no good ? may I ask what rod you are using pls ? Looks very handy. I have a 9' Daiwa Amorphous Whisker but its too big for the fishing you are doing there.
Hi, i'm an italian subscriber and fisher.... You are crazy going fishing, we have done the same errors and look at us now... Stay home, do it for your elders
Love the Mitchell "Click" I could recognize it anywhere. Like a 60's ford truck; rebuildable to last another 50 years.
No Electronics / No Computers / No Batteries = Never Fails!!!!!!
Fishing with "old school" equipment has a charm all its own. This year I bought some old baitcasting reels and vintage rods. My brothers and I had a blast catching bullheads and perch with the vintage equipment. It took me about an hour to learn how to cast those baitcasting reels without getting a backlash. Since then I fished all spring and summer without any backlashes. It brought back a lot of memories of fishing with my uncles when I was a kid in the 1960s. They always used baitcasting reels, and I marveled at how they could cast so adeptly with them.
In 1961 I mowed a bunch of lawns, took the money, and bought a Mitchell 300 and a Mitchell 304. Have been cranking them ever since. Both reels have their original parts. I have worn out too many "high tech" graphite reels with all sorts unneeded ball bearings in no time. You are right, these are great reels that you can self-service and are just plain fun. Like AN AK-47, IT NEVER FAILS AND GETS THE JOB DONE.
*Nice reel so far **enjoyable.fishing** recommend used it for about an hour after getting it from Amazon and functioned flawlessly. Very smooth retrieve and the anti reverse is perfect. Feels like a reel that would be double the price.*
Hey Skipper ! I love the clicking sound when using my old Mitchell and other old reels, music to my ears. Good sportsmanship on you for tossing small ones back and limiting catch .
Right about un-fixable cheap reels. That's why I decided to recondition my 25yr+ old reel. It has simple mechanism and built to last. And with a little elbow grease its working like new again.
Exactly!
I am 68 yrs old and that reel was the first one I ever bought. Made me smile to see you catching them with it!
Me too. Love the sound of the bail working smoothly.
It is a good hobby to fix old reels and then catch fish with them. I am enjoying this hobby too.I bought an old Penn reel and took it completely apart,cleaned it lubricated it and it is working wonderful. And this hobby is rewarding. I catch fish with this reel.
It’s a wonderful hobby! And good for our wallets too:)
I have a Mitchell 300 and a Point Professional 910. I use them every time I go fishing along with my modern spinning and bait caster reels.
I love them.
I enjoy fishing with my 60's Mitchell reel! There is something satisfying about using vintage gear...
Yes I agree completely!
Hey Skipper you've made me homesick! I'm from Bowie and been gone too long. Up here in Chicagoland since 87. Love your video. I recently bought an old Garcia Mitchel 300. Just yesterday I cleaned it out and regreased the gears. Can't wait to put in on a spinning rod and go try it out. I also love the old Ambassadeurs for casting and old Zebco 33's as well. I'm 70 and feel like a kid all over again when I watch fishing videos (not the ones for pros). Talk to ya later Skipper.
Rogee
That’s awesome to hear that you are 70 years young and still fishing! Keep up the passion
Pawn shops are an excellent source of fixer uppers. Great video idea, love the old gear.
Hey in the Mid 60s as a teenager I bought a Shakespeare Wonder Rod, the White Spiral Fiberglass, which I installed a Mitchell 300 for light freshwater and once I joined the Military and was assigned to Ft Eustis it worked wonderfully on the inshore banks catching hundreds of flounder and croaker. The rod held up into my mid 50s but the reel got to the point I could not hand make parts anymore. The rod blank was fine after a few guide change outs but once the brass ferrules weakened sadly I lay it to rest. But those Mitchell reels were noted for rugged reliability.
God bless you Bob, thank you for your service. Yeah, them Mitchells are great!
Bought a mitchell 300 serial number v . put it on a vintage berkely rod. Bass catching machine. Like you i also had same gunked up inside. Took it apart cleaned it oiled and greased it up. Also fixing up other vintage rods and reels. Great video.
Fishing really help me releasing stress. I highly recommend! Its really addicting!
Man that reel was so loud my neighbors and dogs was going crazy!!!! Lol! No but awesome you brought the old school setup! I enjoyed it...I agree with you man...I'm happy you and Erin get out there and enjoy what you love. It's true being out with nature just puts you in peace and happiness. My wife and I do the same. I as well love to fix my own reels and maintain my stuff. Keep educating us like always but I know deep down...you want to get back and catch the big ones again hehehehe!
Sir,
Back in 1975, I was fishing in Windsor Ct . USA the Connecticut River with my little 304 when I came across a Carp who came in at 35 pounds on a 6lb line River Miss by Garcia the line was made here in a town called Rockville Ct. I have many Garcia 120s, spin-cast and they also made Garcia 170s I also have spinning 520s and 505s now I sit here in my wheelchair at the age of 82 years old and watch someone like you have all the fun THANKS TO YOU AND THE MISSES🐟🐟🐟
🐟
That is so cool! I think you've just inspired me to start a new vintage gear restoration hobby! Thanks!
It’s so fun and rewarding!
I going to dig my Mitchell Garcia's out of the garage clean them up and be ready when lock down is over🎣
My dad uses only old school stuff. Not necessarily antique items but they still make all the same style stuff. He refuses to use anything else bc he catches everything he wants to catch with them.
I just purchased a mitchell 304 off eb@y ,, hope it works lol ..........In the 1960's My dad and his neighbor
buddy and me use to fish off a pier in the South River Maryland at night . We would put a live minnow on a shad dart like you
showed and by the time the minnow hit the water Yellow Perch were grabbing it , I found out real quick Yellow Perch didn't scale as easy as white perch lol ............(I bought two Mitchell 300's last week) that was my go to reel in the late 60's
Man here conditions are not good,we can't even step out of our home.
But today's video brought some relief from home sickness..thanks lot skipper family
I wonder if the older fishes gets nostalgia from looking at those lures. XD
Lolol
Lol
I used to depend on a Mitchel 308 and a 5’ 6 “ Ugly Stick rod as my go to ultralight until the 1990s. OMG what a dependable combo. I still have that ugly stick and it still is a little horse but sadly replaced the reel. Got it when I was 16 and am now 53, amazing.
That’s amazing to hear!
The Garcia Mitchell 308 was THE best ultralight reel..........went down hill when it became just Mitchell
Awsome of you to get the heck out and do what you love!
I just found 1 in an Antique shop for $35 and I can't wait to use it. I first saw on UA-cam and wanted 1. This will be 1 fishing pole I will never get rid of.
*video starting
- Wait a second..
*I run over to a pile of cartons
- "Mitchell 304" Aaah..
*turning it around
- "Made in France"
.. Interesting! Regards from Germany. ;)
Ty for this video, I still use my grandfather's old spinning reel. Doesn't catch much but when it does it's worth it. He taught me and my brother how to fish and when I use the "vintage" rod...man, it's the best feeling in the world. Stay safe.
I love using old reels they are my favorite just plain fun
Several years ago when I got back into fishing again, I snagged a Mitchell 300, a 304 and an old fly reel on eBay for $30. The Mitchells were really krusty and grody, but I completely disassembled the 300 first and removed all the old grease and put it back together. It was a real rush to string it up and catch fish with it, it was my first ever quality fishing reel, having grown up with push button Zebcos and that’s about it. The Zebcos will catch fish no doubt, the the silky and strong 300 mechanism and gear train is a real pleasure to use. I cleaned up the 304 the following summer but had lots of issues with string getting tangled up under the rotor cup. I may need to do some more experiments with that one. Either way, I have also surf fished with a Mitchell 302 and a 306 and they are both great reels as well.
I have an oval one from the 70's so you got me by a decade.
For $10.00, yesterday I picked 2 Mitchell 300's in great shape. These reels were the "bomb" back in the 1960's but even today, I still use my 300 on the river nearby the house. A lot of terrific memories I have using Garcia reels. 🧐🌲🌲🌲👍
Have a Mitchell 300 that was new in the 1960's ... feels like a coffee grinder now, but it still works. The main problem with spinning reels, back in the 50's, was the "primitive" mono line that was available. It was stiff, became brittle, and didn't last long. Most of those issues were resolved when Stren hit the market. It's still a fine line today, decades later.
It likely needs a good cleaning and re-lube. I usually use Quantum Hot Sauce.
Remove the 3 screws on the handel side. After serval years the grease get dry and at last stiff like plastic. Take the Side off and clean the inside and gearings with WD 40 and then brush the gerarings with some Teflon Lubrikate grease or oil. I have MITCHELL Reels since 1939 and Teflon Grease oil is the best every fishingreel can get for long life and smooth running!
My Mitchell 300 and 308 are my go to spinning reels. I have used the 300s since the 60s and the 308 for about 15 years.
shimano and daiwa is what us california folks use.......... thanks for another great video!!
I'm loving this antique fishing 👍
Great! Do you have a reel like this?
@@HeySkipper when I was young I 5hink we had one
Great video, I too live in the Maryland area and picked up a few Mitchell reels at flea markets back in old Yough River home water area of PA. Four nice 50-60 year old reels for less than $20. Great video...we now fly fish Maryland, PA and Steelhead n Erie.
I collect vintage fishing reels and always keep an eye out for Mitchell reels unfortunately for the buyer lol people now re sell these 304 reels around £20-40 used ( depending on condition )
They are extremely strong and like a lot of older European reels with pin drag systems they make a clicking noise when the drag is loosened to alert you that a fish is on basically an earlier in-built alarm
Great video
Tight lines all
Good fishing and video Brendon 💯💯👍👍👍👍👍
I watched the first 20 seconds and had to pause and go find a Mitchell Garcia on eBay. Awesome video!
Haha dude that’s awesome
@@HeySkipper I put some pictures up on FishBrain yesterday, but I just used the 304 yesterday and caught about ten 11-16 inch trout with no issues! Love this reel!!!!
Great video! I own 16 Mitchell spinning reels and some of them are collector’s items worth a lot of money. Altogether I have purchased and restored 62 vintage spinning reels most of which are large saltwater reels. I’ve seen some of your other vintage reel videos and I love them. I’d love to see you try a Mitchell 499, 496, or 498 large saltwater reel. In excellent condition these reels cost anywhere from $150 to over $300. They are much harder to find than reels like your 304 or the venerable 300. I only fish with vintage reels. I just don’t like modern reels that are made with cheap inferior materials and poor designs that only last a few years. My newest reel was made around 1980. Thank you for doing this video. I’m retired and started collecting and restoring vintage reels about a year and a half ago. I love these old reels and totally agree with your fishing philosophy. Seriously try finding some of the large Mitchell saltwater reels - 302, 306, 402, 406, 386, 396, 486, 488, or 498. The best surf fishing reel I have ever used is a Garcia Mitchell 396 PUM with a custom arm and line roller and a 498 high speed handle. It cost me over $150 and was worth every penny. I also love the old Penn “Greenies” - the 700 and 704 and all the Z reels. You just can’t beat them. I recently obtained a 1961 Spinfisher 700 - the first edition of the Penn Spinfisher. I have seen one of these on EBay listed for $750. I think my collection can be valued at from $4500 to $6000 conservatively. Keep up these vintage reel videos. It is a great hobby! Stay well and keep safe!
@christopherjenkins2373 Sounds like a fine collection. I caught my first fish, a Rainbow Trout, using my Dad's Herter's fiberglass kit rod with a 304. For my 12th birthday in '69 I got a Conolon rod and a 300. I still have and use all of them, and started a lifelong search for the good stuff at yard sales and thrift stores in the 70's. You just can't beat the vintage gear. I fish a 308 on a 70's Fenwick UL 'glass rod for Trout in the streams and lakes up in the mountains, up to my 406 on a Shakespeare Wonderod for Stripers and the other sizes for everything in between.
My search for vintage rods, reels, and lures to fish with has never completely stopped. The hard core collectors think I am nuts to still use the good old stuff, especially the wooden plugs, but I am not beyond swimming to get a prized one back from a snag. Most are well battle scarred but as long as the hooks are kept sharp, and I service my reels regularly they catch just as well now as they did when I was a kid. The prices on Ebay for the really clean gear have shot up over the last 10-15 years, so my gear search has slowed some lately.
Not having fished salt water much but having a taste for the local lunker catfish, I started to pick up some of the larger serviceable Penn reels a few years ago and now have a good stock of different reels and a supply of spare parts for all of them.
I am interested in the custom line roller that you mentioned for your 396 PUM reel. Is that a part that you made, or is it commercially available? Nice to hear about your collection, and thanks for any advice you could share with me about the custom parts. Tight lines!
Mitchel reels back in the day were the best affordable reel I have an original 308a I oiled it up and put 7lb test line on it gonna be my trout killer
Not sure if the internals are similiar to my mitchell 308, but i think it might be. So if you want to quiet the clicking sound just add a little more grease on the small swing arm that moves inside the reel when you move the antireverse switch, and add a little more grease on the gear that it engages to which is behind the main gear. That is what i did when I restored my mitchall garcia 308. It will make the clicking sound quieter, add to much it makes the clicking sound silent while keeping the antireverse working.
The good thing about adding a little more grease there is if you notice the clicker sound gets a little louder you know its time to do maintenance and regrease your reel.
Hope this helps if you like using that reel but want it a little quieter. Fish on and Tight lines...🎣
Thanks for the tips:)
Hi Senko Skipper,sentimental Mitchell-Garcia reel.Nice to learn one from your video.Nostalgic.😀👍
In CA no fishing what so ever. Sad sad sad. Looks like you guys had a great day outside!
I’ve always had budget gear (Shakespeares from Walmart!). Still catches fish. Just can’t see spending money on stuff!
Be safe. Keep healthy guys! Thank you for the lessons and the videos!!
Love your videos. Keep them up. Stay safe out there and God bless.
I definitely enjoy the hobby of restoring reels.
I coveted the Mitchell reels from the 1970's. I couldn't afford it, because I was just a kid. So all we got were the kits like Pflueger spincasts and baitcasters that came with rods, a tacklebox, hooks, sinkers, the whole package deal. It worked then, and will work today. It's just not as smooth as the full-ball-bearing reels today. Bottom line: restored Mitchells, Garcias are quality old-school reels with good karma for fishing.
I have a Mitchell 304 on a 7’ 6-12# rod great old school reel. You have to watch how tightly you pack the line on though. The spools have a tendency to explode under pressure. Such a fun little reel little reel...perfect for perch fishing. If you haven’t already done it...try using a sabiki rig for the perch. Very effective!!
inspired me to get working on my dads 304!
I kinda like the noise. It'd make me feel like I'm doing something. 😆
Thanks for another great video. Smoked shad dip!
There is not a single day you go fishing without landing fish. Love how easy it seems everything for you.
I have a Mitchell 306a, which I bought back in 84. When they whee still made in France. That's when Mitchell reels where great. Mines loaded with 15 pound test Ande mono. Stay safe and great video. P.S. Mine also clicks, but not nearly as loud as yours, not sure if you could fix yours. Mine also had a push button spool release so you could change spools quickly, not sure I can find spools any more.
Come down to Pensacola Florida once this quarantine is over man! You’re the best fishing content on UA-cam and I’d love to have you down here for a trip!
Thank you so much:)
Shad darts are actually a really well known lure and they are used widely today.
Looks like fun! I think the whole “fishing only for food” constraint is ridiculous but as usual, you guys are making the best of things! Btw I have used these Shad darts in saltwater too to catch whiting & mullet (for bait).
Picked up a Michell 300 + extra spool for about $6.50 at an estate sale. Two weeks later, got a rod/reel 308 for $5 at a garage sale. Both looked to be in great shape.
Old school Penn reels (Senators, Jigmasters, Long Beaches) are still common in the saltwater scene.
I have an old DAM Quick 220N and it one of my favorites to fish with.
Oh yes!
I would love to be able to live along that water , it’s amazing how so many people who live along water don’t ACTUALLY fish
And you don’t see them come out to enjoy the massive yard
I love these old 304 reels....
Me too!
I would love to see a channel dedicated only to modern fishing with old school tackle AWSOME
I love that reel my grandma had one of those and it's fun to catch some trout on it
It’s so fun! I love this reel
Great video 👌 I really enjoy your channel.
Ive had mitchels since they can out. Just rebuilt 9 300s. Best reel ever
My wife and I went white perch fishing on the Chowan river in North Carolina day before yesterday . We caught fish galore.
Actually she caught fish and made me work removing her fish and baiting her line. Lol
I'm ready to go fishing, but I can't go outside right now. Hopefully this will all be over soon. I can't wait to get on the water.
Frank Concemi yeah same
Lol lucky live Hawaii we still can go to the beach but only to fish, run,swim laps but no umbrella and beach chairs
I love your videos so much and I hope you have a great day and keep on fishing skipper
Thank you for watching:)
I was convinced fish will bite anything when I ran out of worms and took a piece of my bagel to use as last resort bait. Caught a nice crappie on a little bagel ball. Love these videos, keep it up!
Haha that’s funny! You must have been fishing on a great day!
Them bucktail jigs are making a serious comeback.... for the past 2 years walleye fishermen, have been using them, to surprisingly good results.
great video! thank you and keep them coming.
The real fisherman's challenge..... take every thing that you know from the east coast, and see if it presents you, ANY
fish, on the SOUTHERN WEST COAST!!!! Mackerel do not count, gauntlet is set!!! LET"S GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I keep telling him to come try out the waters here in Oregon
@@wtfwhereami I have asked them to come a year ago.. they caught spanish mackerel, that is why I want them to come back, watching east coast tutorials, is pointless, because it does not work here, even ONE ROD ONE REEL, could only catch 1 small fish in 3 days, so if they say they want to help people learn to fish... they need to quit skipping the west coast! cuz we can't use bubble gum, and whole chickens as bait... lol!! ;)
@@SuperBaconFishing exactly! I usually use (tiny) raw shrimps and bacon! I was actually just out earlier today catching smelt and perch on a rooster tail tipped with prawn meat.
@@wtfwhereami Heck yeah!!!! woo!!
I gotta try that!!!
@@SuperBaconFishing it's a blast my dude, works with all sorts of fish, and for freshwater I tip with worms or bacon. I get hoggy bass that way, now if I could only catch the big ones when I bring a net! 😂😭😂 Sometimes I hate using an ultralight
Hi, Thank you for the video. New subscriber from NYC - so this is great to see. I actually use vintage South Bend/Gladding and Penn reels with True Temper poles, and the feel, use is excellent. PS: If its ok to give shout to an older gent Dennis and his UA-cam channel (he is helping alot of First Responders), called "2nd Chance Tackle". He does DIY repairs on vintage and older equip. He is a walking book of knowledge on repair. Be well and safe!
Looks very fun and relaxing. hopefully this 🦠 goes away soon , need to get out
u get to fish? damn.... we're not even allowed to get fish for food in nz..... those old relics look pretty cool
Nice man, looks like a fun little spot you have their.
I have one of those old fishing reals . I'm going be working on it get it fixed-up reall soon.
Question for you, what knots would you use for a treble hook
Wow. Surprising the anti reverse still works.
Hi Skipper.
what pound line did you put on your 304 I have two of them,Great Video..
Great video ! I love the clicking sound on old reels :-) What do Perch taste like? We have freshwater Perch in New Zealand, but people don't eat them..
They are delicious, flakey white meat. Sweet and delicate.
I've got a few vintage reels. One for parts and a few for fishing...GM 304s.
Old reels are functional and can be kept going with parts but 90's is about as far back as you want to go and still have a pleasant reel to use. With rods you can get away fine with older fibreglass models if you're not after anything big or needing to cast big weights, in some cases they actually have a much more forgiving playing action but strong fibreglass rods are heavy and easily outclassed by entry level carbon rods.
Nice info.Nice spot.Legendaris Spinning reel👍
Yes it is:)
I have 4 or 5 Mitchells. A couple bought by me dad. Not sure why people say they are no good ? may I ask what rod you are using pls ? Looks very handy. I have a 9' Daiwa Amorphous Whisker but its too big for the fishing you are doing there.
My friends dad has 25 +poles reels super old school gear...he gave me a fly rod I have to rebuild my next project.. Keep fishn!!!
I have a mitchel big saltwater model also still works great
those shad darts work well
Hi, i'm an italian subscriber and fisher.... You are crazy going fishing, we have done the same errors and look at us now... Stay home, do it for your elders
Ecelente video de 🎣. Lindo carrete
I want more vintage fish vids.
i have a mitchell reel. drag is kinda weird on it, but it casts nice
Most overhead offshore reel does that soud if you turn the clicker or lock switch on ...louder than that obviously .
Yes that’s tru
I'm still using a couple of Mitchell Match reels. Around 40 years old.
Ol reliable
What rod did you mount the 304 on looks like a great combo ,I just got a 304 online auction cant wait to use it need a rod for it.
Hey there - you ever do any kayak fishing for snakeheads on the Chesapeake?
I do! But I’m waiting for the perch run to slow down first lol
Nice,that was very interesting
Happy to show you:)
My dad only fly fishes now so he gave me his old tackle boxes, which had those same exact lures.
Grew up in the 70s and 80s using the Mitchell 304 and 300.
Geez my dad had one like that. All the sounds including the noisy ratchet are so familiar.