Vintage Garcia Reel

[TAXI_Angler]

Hi, wanted to get some feedback if anyone has experience with this reel, specifically a Garcia Kingfisher GK-26. I’ve had it sitting on the workbench for a while, just never had a rod to pair with it but I’m thinking about making it a catfishing rig and I’m not sure about durability, drag, corrosion resistance, etc.. I’d be using it for freshwater only. Any info or advice would be appreciated! 

[bulldog1935]

From a search on Stripers Online, your reel is from an entry-level series, made in Japan, post-1978, that first dropped the name Mitchell.  In that year, Garcia (USA) sold the Mitchell name back to Carpano & Pons, and, bankrupt from over-diversification, sold the entire company to Abu.  

The size was described as comparable to Penn 704, and the reel described as a workhorse by the Stripers Online members.  ORCA collectors list the value as modest.  

Can't search better than this too-small 1978 ad, which can't be zoomed to readable copy.  

You'll have a tough time finding drag specs, but 4-6-lbs max is likely pretty accurate, and pushing it to complete max drag will likely cause drive damage.  

It should fish heavy mono fine in your target niche.  

[QED]

Wow, that was the very first reel my dad bought for me. As a pre-teen, that made for a nice rig.  ?