Antique Rod and Reel - Rebuilding Grandpa's Mitchell 300

I inherited this reel from my grandpa, and have used it to catch fish for years. Today, I take it all apart, clean it, and put in some fresh grease.
I'm looking forward to fishing with this setup for many more years.
Garcia Reel Grease.
amzn.to/2AEBVGn

[@cheekymonkey444]

I bought my first Mitchell from paper route money. Used it heavily for a few years. Kept on packing more grease in the lube screw. One day it seized. We had an authorized repairman in town. I rode my bike over to a house and this elderly man worked out of his basement. He picked up my reel and said "You have this thing packed with grease, don't you?" Then he told me to sit at his bench and he helped me disassemble the reel, clean it and lightly lubricate it. He didn't charge me anything. To this day I can service that reel and still use it. I have since then purchased many reels at auctions and flea markets. I have just about every type of reel they made. Some are in sad shape, others are pristine in the box examples. I prefer the model 330 Otto bail. Any decent hardware store had a good inventory of parts for Mitchell reels and Coleman lantern and stove parts.

[@breenhue]

Me too (Tom Rolf) I managed to get a C. A. P. wen l was 12..(lm 75) .. now I have two 300's.. Happy spinning everyone.. Mitchell reels Rulz.. 😊👍 🎣

[@paulcole4902]

Years old and still going strong unlike modern reels today,bet your grandpa would be proud of you taking care of his reel.

[@robertwatson818]

I have reels over 50 years old which work just fine. Most reels fail due to neglect and misuse. The misuse consists of using the rod/reel combo as a winch by locking the drag down.

[@randybackgammon890]

Its really great that so many people are getting a buzz from using their dads/grandads old tackle.Its a beautiful way to feel conected.I hit upon the idea quite a while back and thought I might have been the only one...how wrong I was.✌️

[@jimit6398]

Excellent video. At a community yard sale a guy told me he had just thrown 2 old reels into the garbage can, both Mitchell 300’s! One had a bad bail and the other wouldn’t crank. He said I could have them! Serviced both and they now work like new. Never hurts to ask!

[@gabrielfusaru1211]

Thanks, guy. You did remember me the old times when i was fishing with my grandpa. As we were living on the east side of the iron curtain, no Mitchell reels but , any how, such good times...

[@GordonTurnerpark]

Bought my Mitchell 300 from a second hand store in the ghost town of Duncan City Michigan in 1994 when I was 17. It cost me $15. Been fishing with it ever since. Broke the boot twice and replaced it. It was dropped when I fell down on some crappy rip rap fishing down near the dam on the Cheboygan river. Broke it again when I slipped on wet grass on the bank of the Sandusky river and fell on it. Still made my deadline for an article I was writing because I always carry a spare. Caught all manner of fish with it including a 32 pound salmon. I own several now and have gotten my kids into fishing with them. Have a tackle box full of parts for them just in case. Guys laugh at me because they always know where I am fishing in the dark because of that lovely Mitchell hum.

[@EweCantHandletheTruth]

I'll imagine that your patience/ knowledge/respect for the machinery and attention to detail is something that you inherited from your gramps. Something I'm sure you'll pass along to the next generation. 🙏

[@dantejaiudijr2792]

I can't imagine being without my M 300. I have 3 of them and they seem to have out lasted most of the reels I own. I bought my first in 1967 and I still use it and the other 2 as well. They were built to last and that they do. Old, and yet, reliable. 🤓👍

[@muddymrt]

Going through an old drawer I found my old Mitchell 300's and a Mitchell 400 ? (the blue one!) Also I was recently gifted a Morritt Intrepid deluxe (1958 model) and two Richard Walker split cane rods( in perfect condition!)...After watching this video I am inspired to refurbish them all, and use them, old school method.. thanks for the inspiration.

[@joycedimaggio8345]

I bought my first one when I was in my early teens. I still use it and the rod I bought for it. Since then I added others along the way. I'm 62.

[@lsd-25ayahuascadmt7]

I think this is a great example of something that was obviously well taken care of, greased, oiled, and cleaned. Goes to show how proper maintenence will make quality items outlast you.

[@jimamccracken5783]

Mitchell 300 wow the near perfect open face spinning reel and that Wright and McGill rod a perfect match. I have located a 1960s era reel on Ebay and it comes with all the accessories including the book. Sure would have loved to met your Grandad he would have been my kinda guy. God Bless a stay safe.

[@tomrolfe3702]

Very genuinely touching, I bet you miss him. As a Child I used to dream of owning a mitchell 300 reel. I now have one on my wall paired with a Hardy split cane rod. It makes me happy !!

[@henrybeakes3572]

I had two Mitchell 300s growing up in the late 60 through the mid 70.. I still have one of them on an ugly stick rod. I love it. It still works great.

[@davidg105]

I'm 60 and still use many of my Mitchell and Garcia rods and reels I bought as a teen saving my allowance. Brings back my best memories of fishing with my brothers and friends without parental supervision. I enjoy using my most beat up 300 reel best of all.

[@nazahamed5860]

was browsing thru on youtube coz i just bought a mint mitchell prince ultra light reel in our local flee market a couple of months ago, intrigued by the design and history of this brand since most of my reels are shimanos and daiwas. thank you for this informative videos 👍👍👍

[@boydovens4180]

The Mitchell 300 is a reel that is special , and i believe that your Grandad was the same .

[@RickPreciado]

I have one brand new in the box. Looks awesome.

[@patrickcordery1635]

My late father used nothing but mitchell reels they are the best infact i still use them today he showed me alote about fishing

[@bugsbaloney6200]

I have my "father in laws" Mitchell 300 & Mitchell Garcia 400. Unfortunately he passed last year, but i want to help live on his legacy! I can't wait to get them out on the lake! The 400 is in great shape, it may not need any work. The 300 is a little stiff and I plan on doing a full overhaul, all original, just cleaning and greasing. Thanks for the upload!

[@myke.h2913]

I still have mine all four! started with the Mitchell 300 in 1962 at age 15 and on an apprentices wage of £5.10s week I paid for it via my nans club book! I'm 72.

[@peterclose1446]

Mike £1 17 6d I was paid age 16 in 1962, couldn't afford a 300 at the time, centre pin from Woolworths, however now have 8 different Mitchell's and all in use today👍👍👍

[@bobmariano3731]

Awesome video , I have 4-5 Mitchell reels , grew up fishing with them in Pa ( Pittburgh) area . Especially for carp , great drag system too, my 1st one was a Mitchell 301 ! 🎣 they don’t make them like they use too lol 😝. Thx for sharing , brings back some precious memories. Be well . 🎣⚾️👍

[@dallasbeus2117]

I bought a Mitchell 300a in the mid 70s for $30 and I still use it especially in the spring. I just cleaned and lubed it today using lithium grease. It looks like it may outlast me. Problem is there is nothing that comes close to it if I ever have to replace it. The same goes for the rod I bought with it.

[@andyledger2307]

Helpful video - no unnecessary jibber-jabber. Nice piece about your grandpa at the end. I like the music, too.

[@andrewhondo]

i got one like this that was my grandfathers but the anti reverse switch on his was different and you didn't have to remove a screw in the back of the reel i think mine is from the mid 60's where youres might be early 60's into the late 50's these are fantastic reels with a little bit of servicing they will out live you and 10 generations of you're family i even got the old 70's zebco glass rod my grandfather used these old 300's were built like ww2 tanks

[@samhunt9380]

Been using Mitchells since I got one back in 1957, a 304 CAP. Today in my 70's I still use Mitchells. 300's and 488's mostly. I never saw the need to change. I have collected maybe 20+ Mitchell reels over the years, some old and never used, some lightly used and some old hardworked ones. Thank you for sharing your passion and your love of your grandpa. I'm sure so many of us miss the times we spent with them, fishing. My grandpa was English and at a very early age taught me to fly fish. My buddy, growing up. Cheers from New Zealand....

[@samhunt9380]

Oh yes, loved the music you selected for your video. Beautiful....

[@oldschoolbassman4590]

That's was great. My dad had an old 300. I still have it, and still works . Thanks for sharing with us.

[@iphone3gsdivine]

Now that’s how you clean and lube a reel 👍🏾 nice job my friend.

[@armedmariner]

Good vid man. I got an old 300 from someone equally important to me and I also cleaned it up and put it back into service. Feels good don’t it! Nice job. Grampa would be proud of you and I’m sure he’s still fishing with you.

[@wayneweaver2457]

My son has taken up fishing and I found my fathers Mitchell rod and reel and am giving them to him. Vintage.

[@marcmyers1465]

Well Done, Man... 😎 My Old Man fished a Mitchell 300, 308, and 510 all his life. Mom sold them all for $20.00 after he passed away. 🤦🏼‍♂️ I found an old 300 in my father in laws estate that I just rebuilt, Thanks to you ! 😉

[@timoleary5815]

Brilliant, loved it. Used to have a 300 in the 70s but sold it rather stupidly to buy a modern reel, which died after less use than I gave the 300. However, I have just bought 2 Mitchell 300s and will now be able to strip and service them after seeing this, so many thanks. A reel for life ☺

[@montanamountainmen6104]

I have a Mitchell 300 that was my dads. I used that reel for ever as a boy into my teens. About the early 80's I was fishing and the bail wouldn't close after throwing a bait. I took it home tried to repair it but no dice, was told to buy a new reel. Biggest small mouth bass I ever caught was on that reel 5.5 lbs, that was 1984......Today at 51 I still remember those fun days.

[@carollinson]

Great video which was a massive help when I serviced my 300. It runs really well now, and doesn't click or grind as it did before. Many thanks.

[@tcary1289]

Thanks, nice video. I refurbished several old Mitchell reels last year. A labor of love!

[@Luke-Harno3]

Wonderful video... nostalgic; great pathos, for a pastime of thousand fishing adventures ! The "sound" of the mechanics at the end of the work, it is absolutely artistic.

[@hectorhinojosa5168]

I love them reels!!!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@redmond410]

Love the video. Brought a tear to my eye.

[@chilly856]

Thanks for the video, I had mine in storage all taken apart for the last 6 years. Now with all that is going on, and endless time to kill, now was the perfect time to put it back together. Your video made it very easy to do this. Thanks.

[@SONGSTICKS]

In this throwaway world it's great to see someone still using and maintaining a classic reel ! I bought myself a Mitchell 300x Pro at the bootfair this morning to go with my Mitchell 440a Match which I've had since a kid and it's a beautiful reel which will sit on my Ron Thompson Trout and Perch stick rod very nicely 🙂 Here's to your lovely ol Grandpa who I'm sure is right by your side in spirit every time you go fishing and proud as punch with how good a job you've done on his reel !!

[@ihrescue]

Nice Job - these are good reels and I have one I bought new in 1972 and need to do a rebuild on. Good to see someone go through it.

[@jjscience2467]

An old gentleman gave me the exact rod and reel combo you have there. Really old. I was hoping to find a video on repairs or restoring his gear. Thank you very much

[@missourimike5150]

my grandpa also fished with mitchell 300 reels ...great video and memories

[@montydewitt547]

Great video and tutorial i am now collecting Mitchell reels because they were made so well and not that bad to tear down and service. Thats great your having and taking care of something that meant a lot to your pap.

[@carlclark3209]

My All time favorite reel. Nice video!

[@kendickman6204]

Nicely done Ryan. He was a special man and he would be so happy you enjoy some of his equipment! Thanks

[@design2survive]

Thank You :)

[@lancerudy9934]

When I was younger I had that type of reel and loved them!

[@texasbassfreak3549]

Great video man!!! My Dad was a Garcia Mitchell 300 & 304 man!!! When he went fishing, those two reels were ALWAYS with him!!! Your video made me remember my Dad during the happiest moments of his life!!! Thanks for making this video!!!

[@design2survive]

Texas Bass Freak Your very welcome..we miss grandpa..

[@1dowsey]

Quite an emotional video for me thank you for posting. I’ve got 3 x 300 one is actually the half bail arm version and all 3 will be cleaned and restored the way you showed in your amazing video thank you so much 😊

[@design2survive]

Dave Dowson it was emotional to make..thanks you!

[@GarthGoldberg]

I've also got a Wright and McGill rod to go with my Mitchell 300. The cork on the rod handle will clean up really nicely with the application of water and gentle cleaning with a Brillo pad.

[@PaulMoorhousehankooks]

I have just restored one myself. thanks for the video

[@1976DannyG]

This was awesome. I am 59 and used all of the 300 series as well as 400s. I used fresh and saltwater. Just picked up two Mitchell 300s and glass rods for $25 on Craigslist. I am switching back to the reel thing. Someday I will pass these down.

[@lanceburke6236]

Thanx for sharing! Doing one from my fatheR, who has passed, my son wanted it so I am cleaning it up. This will help for I didn't take picks of all the brass washers.

[@ddselvig]

I'm very fond of the old rods and reels that I use on my "retro" fishing forays. I have the same rod/reel combination that you showed in this video. Thanks for keeping the old stuff alive! I have resurrected a number of old reels over the past year. They were all suffering from neglect, but they all benefited from a detail cleaning and lube job. One word of advice - get yourself some reel oil instead using 3-in-1. 3-in-1 oil will gum up over time as the volatiles in it flash off.

[@glennrobbins2372]

I am still using my 45 yr old Mitchell 300 I have 4 and 4 Mitchell 308. 2 of each I use, one of each is for backup and one of each is for parts. To this day they have not failed me yet.

[@ericschulze5641]

I have several of them and still use them but there are many better reel's I don't have my dad's but I have some just as old & am actually at the lake we fished together at right now you inspired me to build one out of the pile of parts reels I have I think I'm going come up with a unique color for it in his honor

[@theluth9046]

My dad had a early model Mitchell 300 and I used it as a kid but then when he bought me my first real it was A Mitchell 400 and a Shakespeare wonderod and I still have both I recently redone the rod and reel as in cleaning them up not restoring them and cleaning them up really good and they work as good today as they did back when I was a kid and I'm 67 years old so I'm sure that rod and reels going to long last me and maybe some others as it gets passed down the line enjoyed your video take care!

[@pussycatlover6522]

Garcia Mitchell reel, product of France. shame they don't make them anymore. I grow up as a kid watching anglers using them and Luxor reels too.

[@geradebowden3293]

Nicely done, granddad would be proud.

[@ericl2969]

I can see that you've done that before (no need for you to avoid confusion by keeping the parts organized). It seems a lot of these reels have been torn apart, put back together, and the handle ends up having in/out slop, probably from misplaced shims. Thanks for showing a quick run-through on the procedure. Anyway, I must be officially old, because of have a Mitchell 300C ("C" stands for roller bearings) of that same era that I got for my birthday in 1969 or 1970 (at the age of 12 or 13) and which I used a lot for many many years, but better yet, I just got my hands on MY grandpa's Mitchell 300 with a half-bail, built right around 1949 and still in mint condition. Unfortunately, I never really knew my grandpa, but when I was a kid I was often told that he would have loved to see me learning to enjoy fishing, and I'm glad to have some of his ancient fishing gear. Update: I just cleaned and lubed my grandpa's old reel, and with a little bit of internet research I have discovered that it dates from roughly 1940 or 1942.

[@franklinwattimena5894]

Great job weldone! Greetings from the netherlands a mitchell fan!

[@mirjanavlahovic4846]

God bless You and Your grandpa.

[@robbates3106]

Just seen the before going to bed its inspired me to service my 440 match and my 300A you must miss your grandad lots

[@jimmywilson1388]

That’s awesome man… I wanted some of my grandfathers old reels but unfortunately I was a kid so I came last on the list I guess… I want to get an old Mitchell 300 soon though. Great video

[@Sunbear415]

The greatest thing to ever come from France!!!

[@texasbassfreak3549]

GREAT VIDEO!!! Thanks for posting.

[@arfurfoxhaike]

Very enjoyable, thank you for posting, Nice!

[@apapay01]

Awesome video

[@Tac333]

This was really chill to watch. Just got a bunch of hand me down tackle and I’m a mechanic. Now i have some chill things to do in my garage. Never thought of it.

[@design2survive]

Trey Wilson it’s a fun winter project!

[@Tac333]

There is this old one in here I think it’s my great great great grandpas I’ll post it as a reply

[@design2survive]

Right on!

[@yesterdaytech9569]

Man the Mitchell 300 holds up so well.

[@stefanlindberg5063]

I use one of the old Mitchells today. But mostley the swedish old ABU-reels. All durable and robust.

[@GarthGoldberg]

Best reel service video I've seen yet, and with the least amount of verbiage. (None).

[@JanneTyni-tj3rl]

Wow nice work

[@GarthGoldberg]

You should note that there are one, and possibly two, small copper shims behind the pinion gear that you don't want to get lost. The reel will run noisy if the pinion shim(s) get misplaced. Not all reels have them. There could also be a shim behind the main drive gear.

[@davidg105]

Thanks for reminding. Get the shims just right and the reel will purr. Get the shims wrong and it will grind and whine something fierce.

[@barclaysauers255]

Your hands doing the exact same thing that your Grandpa did with his 60 plus years ago. Your brain, as his did, wondering where that last damn shim goes. I'm choking up on this!

[@plutoplatters]

This was my first " REAL" Reel ! A Cadillac in the day. 1964.

[@grahamsmith21]

much better vid than the last one I commented on ! credit where credits due ! just serviced my mitch 300 but I have a problem that its continually " clicking" not just on anti-reverse. I think it may be the pinion gear catching the shim on main head. its not the switch cos I took it off and it still clicked on retrieve. its really puzzling me .

[@robgraham5016]

Dude! That is my first and only spinning reel that I got for my 6th birthday in 1967! I've caught a thousand bass (well maybe not that many) and it's time for a rebuild. Thanks so much for showing me how to do it!

[@joblase8642]

superbe demonstration bravo

[@lancerudy9934]

The spring for the bail alway went bad!

[@dudleyscott9930]

I just seen your video on rebuild of the Mitchell 300a my question is can you fix the bell wire so you have to manually close the bell instead of turning the handle. I also have had my in my early teens.

[@coxyjmz]

I have about 4 of these reels

[@brianessery]

Great video, strange question, what was your grandpa's name and where was he from?

[@nervousstranger]

I think it's cool you did this but I have to ask was it broke? I have a few old ones and I like the rugged look. I'm probably just going to grease everything and roll with it.

[@DavidRice111]

Little too much grease in the gearbox, and I hoped to see drags replaced in this 'rebuild'. Still a helpful vid~ thanks!

[@patlenzer91]

YOUR A PLEB

[@normanhavens8982]

Nice video; I bought my GM300 around 1968-69 and still have it in the original plastic box. Okay, sooo. . .what's the music? :)

[@madhatter6708]

Very nice all around. Much respect. Question: can you please give credit for the music? I wanted to add it to my library. Much thanks!

[@design2survive]

Mad Hatter thank you..id have to look it up. Came from the KZbin library.

[@CB-xr1eg]

What make is the rod, is it all cane?

[@joaquimferreira7205]

My name is Joaquim from Oporto Portugal I have a reel Vintage Mitchell 300 Pro Edition Aniversary, but i 've lost it's wood handle .Please, could you tell me where cand i found one? I've searched in many sites but i can't find it. Many thanks, Joaquim Ferreira

[@joenorris7143]

What about the bevel gear shim?

[@stanar.stanarstanar1426]

Hello friend, I want to congratulate you for your video about the fishing machine. I have had the same machine since 1986. I got it as a gift from my uncle, so now I want to ask you something, you must know more about the fishing machine. How many meters of thread does it collect on the reel, if it is of the following thicknesses of fishing line, for example: from 0.18 mm., 0.20 mm., and 0.23 mm. If you know, I will ask you for an answer, if not, then I will ask one of your fans for this question. You can also point me to a website, where I can read about this question of mine. GREETING

[@kanchoradanov5523]

Reel Rileh Rex 64! the best!

[@ferdinandmangubat9589]

I have one too.

[@thegodhoward8037]

Just bought a mitchell 402

[@michaelalbertson8564]

How often does it need to be oiled and how often do you need to clean it this one has never been cleaned it's original from 1969

[@VirantRoss]

Funny. I found my grandpa's exact same reel on a very nice 2piece Rod with Copper/Gold color metal couplings and I'm looking to clean it up maybe paint it get it as close to new as possible.

[@VirantRoss]

Although it's working just fine as is, except the paint is gone on it.. SHOULD I Even risk taking it apart on the inside? Can I mess something up?

[@grifce]

I thought you said rebuild? I was hoping to see parts replaced That's is called a Great sevice cleaning and relube

[@wrath231]

I don't understand the clip inside the reel , how it supposed to be seated...sigh...

[@VirantRoss]

Considering repainting mine with a Super Dark Forest Green almost black. So it looks close to original with a Lil modern flare. Although I don't know how to bring back the chrome metal handle & bail. Pieces.

[@makeroomlopes645]

Ross Best the bail is chrome I'm going to paint mine black and the handle u can just Polish. My reel is a dark blue color original.