Alright, let’s talk about this old workhorse, the Mitchell 300. It’s funny how some gear just sticks with you, you know? I didn’t buy mine new. Nope, this one sort of found me. It was tucked away in a box of my grandpa’s old fishing stuff I got years back. Covered in dust, line all tangled. Looked pretty beat up, honestly.
Getting Reacquainted
First thing I did was just hold it. Felt solid, heavier than the new plastic reels everyone uses now. Had that distinct clicking sound when you turned the handle. Nostalgia, maybe? So, I decided I’d try and bring it back to life. Didn’t even know if it worked.
Took it apart. Well, tried to. Those old screws can be stubborn. Got the side plate off eventually. Inside, wow, old grease, thick and dark. Looked like tar. Spent a good afternoon just cleaning the gunk out. Used some WD-40 first to loosen things up, then really got in there with degreaser and some old toothbrushes. It was messy work.
- Cleaned all the gears I could reach.
- Wiped down the inside of the housing.
- Checked the bail spring – seemed okay, surprisingly.
- Put fresh grease on the main gear and pinion. Not too much, just enough.
- Put it all back together. Took a couple tries to get the side plate sitting right.
Putting it to the Test
Once it was cleaned and lubed, it felt smoother. Still had that classic Mitchell sound, but less… gritty. Spooled it up with some basic 10-pound mono. Didn’t want to waste good line if it was a bust. Tied on a simple hook and sinker, nothing fancy.
Took it down to the local pond. First cast… felt a bit awkward. The balance is different than modern reels. But the line went out okay. The bail flipped over manually, which took some getting used to again. The retrieve was slow, methodical. You feel the gears working. It’s not silent or buttery smooth like new reels, it’s mechanical. You feel the connection to the lure.
Caught a few small bass that day. Nothing huge. But the reel handled them fine. The drag was basic, just a knob on top, but it worked. Had to adjust it by hand during the fight, really pay attention. It made me slow down and actually fish, instead of just relying on the gear to do everything.
Living With It
I still use that Mitchell 300 sometimes. Not for every trip, mind you. If I’m going after something big or need long casts, I grab something newer. But for just relaxing by the water, doing some simple fishing? It’s perfect.
It’s needed a bit more tinkering since that first cleanup. Had to fiddle with the anti-reverse lever once, it was sticking. And you definitely have to keep it lubed. It’s not a ‘set it and forget it’ kind of reel. It demands a little attention.
But that’s part of the charm, I think. It’s simple, tough, and it forces you to be a bit more involved in the process. It’s a reminder of a different time in fishing. It just works, season after season, as long as you give it that little bit of care. Found a piece of history in that old box, and I’m glad I took the time to get it working again.
