Any other fans of the Garcia Mitchell 300 fishing reel?

G

guitar1580

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While some would consider the once "industry standard" reel to be outdated, many of us still prefer the smooth action, reliability, and ruggedness of the pre 1990 French made 300. Like a good ole S&W model 10 revolver, the Harley V twin engine, the Fender Stratocaster guitar, and the Remington 870 Wingmaster shotgun, I just have to appreciate them for the technological marvels that they are, and continue to be. Yes, there is always newer, bigger, faster, prettier, and more bells and whistles, but not always "better". Long after the fancy ones fall apart, break, or go out of style, the old industry standards keep hanging around getting the job done for generations. Gotta love 'em.

I have a 300A from 1988 that I bought new, and an older 300 from 1962. The older one is paired up with a vintage fiberglass Garcia Conolon rod. I had never taken the reels apart for major service, so last week I did some reading, and found some really good Yamalube marine grease, and completely took them apart, took the gears out, cleaned everything and re-greased.

The old blob of factory grease was still functioning, but was starting to dry out, especially in the older one. The gears, shafts and other mechanical parts are like new, and the actions function as smoothly and flawlessly as a well broken in model 10. I spooled them and my spare spools up with some modern copolymer line, and am hoping to be pullin' some lunkers out of the OH River this year.

Josh P

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One of the fishing spots along the OH River where I live, and my horse - Trigger
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Those are nice old reliable reels. Glad your still using them and
getting enjoyment from their use. What do you fish for at your
"honey hole" ? Catfish or Crappie? I saw the minnow bucket.


chuck
 
I have a few and use them all of the time. Two were my Granddads and are the reels I learned with. One is a half bail.

I also have other vintage reels like Pscador and DAM but I don't use them anymore just because the Mitchells are better.

Added; Check out Mitchell Mates. Lots of good info.
 
I'm a fan; still fish with mine. It was new in 1964, same for my four piece Eagle Claw spinning rod (with the aluminum case). I've got a few newer ones but that one still goes along when I head out.
 
I still have mine! Bought it in '66... maybe '67, in a WalMart in Richardson, TX. I've retired it in favor of newer reels, but only for sentimental reasons. I still keep it mounted on a rod and loaded with line... never can tell when I'll need it!

Hog
 
I mostly fish for the big cats in the OH River, but there is the chance of nabbing a Pike or Muskie. Bass and Trout in the local streams and lakes.

JP
 
They sure are versatile with the quick change spools. I've caught countless species with mine. Both fresh water and salt.

They made millions of them. They're not worth a lot of money but they give some of the best memories.

The French got this one right!!!
 
I bought my mom and dad each one of those. Believed they were originally called Abu Garcia Mitchells, back many more years than I care to remember. As far as I know they both used them 'til the day the went to the fishing hole in the sky. Had a couple of them myself back in the day. Fond memories.
 
Bought my 1st in about 1970, still use it. Also have one NIB, I intend to give it a workout come retirement. Still my favorite reel, and one of the best, IMHO.
 
The very first thing I ever bought in my life with money I made working, was a Mitchell 300 reel, and a 7 ft, light action Garcia Conlon rod. I got it at Miracle-Mart in Sandston, Virginia, about 1964-65.

I worked a week in a tomato field, setting tomato plants by hand, back-breaking, stoop work, for $5.00 a day to earn $40.00. That rod and reel set me back about $35.00.

I still have it. The rod has had new guides put on and has been rewrapped, but it still works as well as it did back in the day. I've spent a grand total of $7.00 fixing the reel (the tunsten line roller fell off once). I forget how much it cost to rewrap the rod.
 
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I still have a couple of the Garcia 300 reels from the sixties and caught a lot of fish with them and am guilty of setting them aside years ago when something new came out. I think I will get them out and maybe start using them again.
Thanks for the reminder and pictures.

________
James
 
I'm in. I picked this one up in the late '80s or early '90s, I can't remember exactly when. It's on a Fenwick lightweight rod. Used it a few times and it's sat in storage ever since. I grew up fishing so much I got burned out on it and took a couple decades off. I need to get back out on the water one of these days.

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I've got three or four. Two belonged to my dad, one is mine, and I think one came from my grandfathers stash. They are great reels, very reliable, but I have had issues with forming birds nests with them.....occasionally!
 
Glad to see that others like them too. You can do those old reels a huge favor by cleaning out the old grease, and adding new. Here's a good article written by a fellow who seems to know what he's talking about. I got the Yamalube and did both of my reels, and it's not that hard. There are some vids on youtube to help.

Lubricants & Greases For Your Mitchell Reel | MITCHELL REEL COLLECTORS CHRONICLES

Josh P
 
If I'd known the Frenchies made it, I'd have tossed it out! My personal favorite is a Mitchell 330. But somewhere back in the mid to late 1960s I came into a 300. Not all that much different, the 330 is just easier to use.

So in the early 1970s, I wrapped it all up nice and purty and gave it to my father for Christmas. The very next year, I got it back! :) It kept going back and forth until he passed away in 1980. I've still got it someplace. Haven't seen it in maybe 20 years, but I'm sure I kept it, if only for the extra spools.
 
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