Mitchell 301 classic spin fishing reel with bail problem how to service and repair

[@HuckBowlt]

Mitchell 300 series reels were the reels everyone wanted when I was a kid in the early 70's.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

It was one of the first reels I learned on back then - Dennis

[@wayneo7307]

Yup , I Got My Mitchell 300 at 14 . Finally Had Enough Earned Money .

[@64samsky]

I left a 301 and a 307 back in Baltimore when I moved to Florida, it was by accident. I'd love to get them back!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You probably made someone in Baltimore happy! You can still find these in the used marketplace and there should be a lot of them in the Florida flea markets. Best wishes - Dennis

[@uglyfrog7263]

Just the info I needed to work on my 1960 300. Thank you so much.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad it helped. Best wishes for great fishing with the 301 - Dennis

[@ahssnhabib3291]

ভাল লাগলো দাদা,,

[@2ndChanceTackle]

দুর্দান্ত মাছ ধরার জন্য আপনাকে শুভেচ্ছা জানাই

[@joycedimaggio3816]

Hi Dennis you know I love my 300 series. Stay safe.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Yes. I like them too. So well made and so over engineered. Dennis

[@TheCopperVillageAngler]

Another classic reel gets a chance to continue catching fish. Nice work, Dennis!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You are welcome. Thanks for watching - Dennis

[@MichaelJones-xp8kf]

Have one identical to it bought new when was younger. Still have it to this day. Excellent reel.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Yes they are. Keep them serviced and they will keep you fishing - Dennis

[@sparky39]

Thanks for the always valuable advise. I recently did maintenance on my older 300pro ( probably 90's edition). Everything went back together fine. BUT after closing up and using it at the lake for a couple hours, the handle started hanging up and making grinding sound. I have disassembled it numerous time, checked and rechecked everything. Verifying with the schematics etc. Cannot get it to turn more than a few times before the trouble starts again. It is my favorite and I really want to continue its use. Any thoughts and ideas would be so appreciated. Thanks so much.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Do you have the oscillation gear running smoothly? That is my first thought on the hang up. Next would be gear damage.

[@christopherjenkins2373]

I have 35 Mitchels but the only 300 I have is a 300A. The 300 was the reek I wanted as a kid in the 60s. It was a truly over-engineered reel and Mitchell made more of these 300s than any other model.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

They were made in the millions. The McDonald's burger of the time - Everyone wanted or had one! Dennis

[@mikekeziah3064]

what type grease do you use sir ? Love watching mechanical repairs !!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I use Penn universal reel greases and oils. They are available online and can be ordered through Mysticparts.com or other resellers - Dennis

[@barneyewing2664]

Dennis, that side plate distinctively says "304" not 301.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Yes it does! I better have my eyes checked! Thanks - Dennis

[@michaelszpak2247]

Dennis, Any videos of the older Zebco XB Seriers? I have dome XB 65, XB 75, XB 85 and XB 95 Models. I have lots of older Penn and Mitchell spinning reels.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I don't. I have a few on the XR but not the XB. I will add these to my request list and try to do one when I can - Thanks for asking - Dennis

[@marionmcgrath1574]

Hi, I have a question. I am attempting to replace the bail arm on a abu garcia s 40 cardinal reel. I cannot get the spring, ball slider, and trip linkage back in. The bail arm is plastic; it broke and it is borrowed. Can you assist, please

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Can you send me pictures of the reel and the bail set up as well as the parts you are trying to install? Send to my email [e-mail] and I will try to help you. There are two common bail spring set ups for spinning reels. I show them in the linked video below. That video may help you as well. Thanks for asking - Dennis kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6PVkKWfr6uej9k

[@GregorySM2010]

I got a made in France MITCHELL 301s for 3 bucks. It’s nearly in factory condition! What could you tell about the model? Thank you.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Sure - it is the same as the 300 but it has the right hand crank. Same reliable reel, just were of them made because most of the reels sold were with the left hand crank version. Sounds like you got a great deal. Thanks for watching - Dennis

[@GregorySM2010]

@@2ndChanceTackle thank you!

[@barneyewing2664]

What I found interesting is that it reels with the right hand. I always thought that the lefty versions had model numbers that were odd, not even

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Yup - I suppose that it was replaced at one point. You are correct, the right drive reels are odd numbers, at that is probably why I just jumped to the 301 designation. Internally, it was the 301 - Dennis