Why does God hate me so much?!!!!

[Mike-in-WV]

Had to go to town today to pick some things up for my wife. There are always people parked along the Elk river selling yard sale junk and I seen two rods and reels leaned against this old guys truck. Decided I would take a look after I hit the store....to late , they were gone. I asked the old guy what they were and he said they were both just old Mitchel 300 reels and he wasn't sure about the rods. He said the reels worked perfect and he sold them for $10.00 each!!

[JayW]

Maybe God was trying to keep you from buying junk equipment? :-?

[David P]

Maybe God was trying to keep you from buying junk equipment? :-?

I was thinking the same exact thing ;D

[Jeff H]

Maybe his intentions weren't to fish with them.  The Mitchell 300 was, at one time, a real slice of American fishing heritage.  If you didn't own one, you wanted one.  They were very popular, solid performers for a good many of us older guys in our youth.  I still have the only one I ever had but it has been fished to death.  I think I got mine in 1970 or 71?  

[SuskyDude]

Junk? Hardly. Outdated? You betcha. Mitchell 300s are quite arguablly the most durable freshwater reel. Says who? The old timers who have been fishing the same ones for twenty-thirty years. Good enough for me.

I don't fish them, but I can tell you I wouldn't be ashamed to.

[RogerWaters]

Yup, Great reels in their time. I have a decent collection of old reels, many of them are Mitchell's and Abu's......

[JayW]

My point being that "maybe" they had issues. I know what they are and have used them before a looong time ago, but I still prefer my Calcuttas over a antique spinning reel any day of the week. I wasn't trying to bash on a old classic reel. I have some old reels in my antique reel collection, but that doesn't mean that I want to start fishing with them.  8-)

[Mike-in-WV]

Lol, You guys who make ignorant statements  that the Mitchell 300 is junk have absolutely no idea what your talking about. They were better built than most spinning reels today and they landed many fish for me and thousands of other people and most are still working today. They are super smooth and a drag that works like it's supposed to.

An original still in the box is selling for $300.-$500. .The used ones are not cheap either if they are in good shape. I'll take a Mitchell any day and still use one of mine!

[JayW]

Lol, You guys who make ignorant statements  that the Mitchell 300 is junk have absolutely no idea what your talking about. They were better built than most spinning reels today and they landed many fish for me and thousands of other people and most are still working today. They are super smooth and a drag that works like it's supposed to.

An original still in the box is selling for $300.-$500. .The used ones are not cheap either if they are in good shape. I'll take a Mitchell any day and still use one of mine!

Did I not explain myself right above what you just said? Ignorant? : Heck, a cane pole is a reliable means of catching fish that 's still working today and will hardly ever let you down, but that doesn't mean I'd use one! :-?

[Jeff H]

Oy!    $300-$500?  WOW!

Loved my 300, but...ah hell, never mind. :-/

[Micro]

It's alright, Mike.   It appears some people don't understand nostalgia.  It isn't about being better than what's available today, it's about bringing back memories of days long gone.

My first spinning reel was a 300, on an old Ted Williams rod.  I still have the rod, and I'd give my right pinky toe to have the reel back.  

For those that don't want to start fishing with their antiques, maybe you should - before you die without having fully appreciated them.   As much as I like my new Revos, swimbaits and japanese-made jerkbaits, they don't come close to providing the relaxation of a spincast reel, a simple rod, some aberdeen hooks, a handful of bobbers and a cage full of crickets.  I keep some "junk" around just for that purpose.  

[skunked_again]

Lol, You guys who make ignorant statements  that the Mitchell 300 is junk have absolutely no idea what your talking about. They were better built than most spinning reels today and they landed many fish for me and thousands of other people and most are still working today. They are super smooth and a drag that works like it's supposed to.

An original still in the box is selling for $300.-$500. .The used ones are not cheap either if they are in good shape. I'll take a Mitchell any day and still use one of mine!

$55 on ebay will catch you a few new in the box on ebay once in a while.

[JayW]

It's alright, Mike.   It appears some people don't understand nostalgia.  It isn't about being better than what's available today, it's about bringing back memories of days long gone.

My first spinning reel was a 300, on an old Ted Williams rod.  I still have the rod, and I'd give my right pinky toe to have the reel back.  

For those that don't want to start fishing with their antiques, maybe you should - before you die without having fully appreciated them.   As much as I like my new Revos, swimbaits and japanese-made jerkbaits, they don't come close to providing the relaxation of a spincast reel, a simple rod, some aberdeen hooks, a handful of bobbers and a cage full of crickets.  I keep some "junk" around just for that purpose.  

Sure, I understand... but I don't feel the same way about it as you do. My old reels and antique lures have a special place on my livingroom wall, but that doesn't mean I'd rather fish with them. I'd never get rid of them, but in no way does that mean I want to go back to them. I still have stuff from the early 80's when I first got into Bass fishing and stuff I have bought from antique shops. I even have a little Zebco from the 70's when I was more into Bluegill fishing... I treasure all of that old stuff, I just don't have the desire to break it out and use it today!

[burleytog]

A 300 was anything but smooth.

[Jeff H]

A 300 was anything but smooth.

Wasn't quiet either.  If you clicked the anti reverse lever up it felt/sounded like a tiny ratchet spinning when you reeled.  It wasn't polished, but d**n that reel could take a beating.  The biggest problem I had was weak bail springs.  They never seemed to last more than a year or 2.

I have a brand new 300x I bought 2 years ago and still haven't used yet.  I paid about $5 more for this new one than my original cost all those years ago.  This new one is a plastic piece of junk.  I bet one good day of catching 6+lb carp will ruin this thing but thats what you buy $20 reels for.

Nostalgia is a good thing.  Everybody has their own way with it.