How to set the bail spring on a Mitchell 308 freshwater spinning reel

[@barclaysauers255]

First time I've seen "the gloves come off" for you to overcome an adverse opponent. As far as big fingers verses small screws, I sometimes resort to dipping the tip of the screwdriver into a little grease which holds the screw into the tip for insertion. Love your videos.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I use the grease as glue approach as well. Thanks

[@locknnload]

this is the best at understanding the little tweaks and 5 coil spring for these beautiful little reels! Nice Video!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the note - Dennis

[@dantejaiudijr2610]

Thank you, Your video was helpful. My new spring is on its way. You make it look so easy.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You can do it! It may not be as easy as it looks. Just amp up your patience before you start - Dennis

[@boydovens4180]

Yes refitting the spring would try the patience of a Saint , Mitchell made a few improvements in reel design , Whilst servicing my 308 and 408 reels , i noticed that the 408 and ( Black Prince 308 ) has a more pronounced edge which rests on the trip lever , where as the 308 rests against the rotating drum casting . My only wish was that Mitchell should have incorporated the touch bail arm release , like the 330 and Match into the 308/408 , That would have been something special .

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I imagine the auto bail feature on a 308 really would be something special! Too bad the folks at Mitchell are not around to ask - Thanks - Dennis

[@christopherjenkins2373]

There is nothing on a Mitchell reel as difficult as the bail spring. The only repair on any reel that has totally defeated me was replacing the bail spring on a Mitchell 488 large saltwater spinning reel. Finally got help from an expert and even he had to get a second person to assist in holding the rotor while putting the bail assembly back together. I’m sure there is someone who could do it by themself but I sure couldn’t. Also the trip mechanism on that 488 has to be perfect. Any wear on that mechanism and you will fail! Dennis I received and disassembled, cleaned, lubricated and reassembled a brand new, never used still in the box Mitchell 406 this afternoon. This beautiful reel was perfect and I only paid $12.50 for it. Going to put a nice Gomexus power knob on it eventually. These 406 reels are really nice. I got lucky this time. It is kind of like some of your flea market “robberies.” This was a great video because these Mitchell bail springs are far from easy. Don’t ever try it on a 488 w/o some help though!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks for the advice Christopher. I don't take these out as part of a normal service because they are hard to get back in. I repair and replace when they are broken because I have to, but I prefer it when I don't need to touch them.

[@riccardocarbo2479]

I'd love to see a photo of that Chris! I'm envious! Might I buy it off you for a fair price?

[@donaldmactrinder3659]

Thanks for the help on my 308 reel I was fighting it by doing it wrong , It will be back in use in the spring. Don

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Nothing like fresh line and a fresh start - Please stay well - Dennis

[@rakulack1]

Thank you very much for the closeup on this finger and mind bending task. The pointers you gave should help quite a bit. Roger

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You are welcome. Thanks for watching - Dennis

[@gamehog2696]

Hi Dennis. Nice job. I have a 308, hope I never break the spring. I've replaced them on my Greenies over the years. But it's nothing like that. Thanks for sharing.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

This one was a request from a viewer. I don't like doing these either, but I can and I wanted to pass the how to along to them. - Dennis

[@riccardocarbo2479]

The old Penn reels were fairly easy. I belive those have springs on both sides with the 704 at least.

[@1rust6789]

One thing I noticed about Mitchell 308's is that there are two types of trip levers. One has two moving parts making it less reliable in catching and holding the bail open. The other is one solid piece with three holes, like the one in your 308,and does a excellent job at holding the bail and makes a more audible "click". I figured it out when servicing two different 308's, so I now replace the standard two piece trip lever with the one piece.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Good tip. Thanks for passing it along. There were several modifications to most Mitchell Reel models because they lasted so long and production runs were modified. Stay well - Dennis

[@riccardocarbo2479]

I'd suggest an easier way: Leave the rotor cup on. 1. untrip the bail trip lever so the bail flops down (overclosed position) It relaxes the bail spring so it doesn't fly off. 2. Remove the bail cam screw and Clean and lube the screw and hinge. 3. Replace the new spring with it's tip sticking out to match the pin-hole it aligns into. 5. Place the cam over the hing in as the bail so it's in an overclosed position and rotate them into position. Hold it closed. It's tricky but then tighten it back up and relube anything missed. Bail springs can be nightmares for the unititated. Go tarantula slow. Haste makes ....catastrophe! Good to see the old Mitchell 308 mech. So much has changed.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I will try your way next time. I still get these in the shop and they are still popular, which is a testament to how they were made. Thanks for the tip - Dennis

[@josephdesantis8578]

Great presentation

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks Joe 0 I hope you are staying well - Dennis

[@josephdesantis8578]

Yes Cutting trees for fire wood. Splitting wood.@@2ndChanceTackle

[@BorneoFishStation]

nice job👍. Does torsion spring break more often than coiled spring? thank Dennis.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I find the coil spring is generally reliable and that most of the issues are caused when the bail brake and folks ruin the spring when the go to reinstall the new bail wire. The torsion spring is strong, but the carrier is weak. It is the carrier that is most likely to break. Thanks for asking - Dennis

[@VladimirRskovski]

i have a 300a and a 306 passed to me as a gift, i watched the video so i can assemble my 306 back because the spring had slipped. I did everything as i should, but in the end when i was putting it together i noticed i couldn't tighten the nut on the side where the coiled spring is..turns out the grooves are all flat on the inside , the ones on the nut are fine, i tried to put some aluminium foil but it does not help. Shame its really in a mint condition i was hoping to use it for the weekend with a vintage 2 piece rod.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

That is a shame. This is a nice reel. You should search for a donor reel to be used for parts and swap the rotors - Dennis

[@riccardocarbo2479]

@@2ndChanceTackle Vlad, I suggest you see if you can get it re-threaded or use a "thread-tracer" to accept a tight screw once again.

[@jhimag]

Thanks, Dennis

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You are welcome - Please stay tuned for more to come. Today I am posting a Mitchell 324 - Dennis

[@johnwood5078]

DENNIS, ALWAYS GREAT VIDEOS. CAN YOU RECOMMEND A WEBSITE OR SITES TO OBTAIN REPLACEMENT PARTS IF NEEDED? PARTICULARLY THIS LAST VIDEO ON THE MITCHELL 408 BAIL SPRING #5 DOES SECOND CHANCE TACKLE SELL PARTS?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I have Mitchell parts for sale. I have a good variety but do not have all parts for all models. Most of the parts are used, but there is a mix of new old stock as well. Please send me a note at my email [e-mail] and I will check on the parts that you need. Thank you - Dennis

[@mikesFishingReelrepairs]

Hi Dennis I remember you had acquired A diawa crossfire and wanted to know if you could do a video on that thank you and have a great day.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Yes I can. I have been pretty busy, but I have that on my list to do - Thanks for the reminder - Dennis

[@scott5456]

My Mitchell is considerably different than yours is. (Mitchell Taiwan). The handle has a plastic knob. The spool holder has a single red line with gold lettering . Removing the spool reveals a different look to the inside also. The bail spring is the primary issue. Overall, it appears to be in relatively good shape. How is the age determined with no visible serial #. Don't I need to know that prior to disassembly and parts ordering?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Yes - you have a later edition of the 308 and some will actually show the letter "A" after the 308. Yours was made in the 1970s when production was transferred to China. You will need the parts for a 308 reel from Chinal. That can be found on the schematic. Here is the link. www.reelschematic.com/wp-content/uploads/schematics/Mitchell/Misc/MITCHELL%20308(CHINA).pdf

[@scott5456]

@@2ndChanceTackle Thank you very much for taking the time.

[@glennmcleod4751]

Would love to find a Micthell 308A ...can find some on eBay but don't know weather to trust the quality of the reel...

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Are you looking for one to use or one for parts? I think I may have some

[@glennmcleod4751]

@@2ndChanceTackle I would love to find one to use...

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I will check. Please send a note to my email [e-mail] to remind me. Thanks Glenn

[@jamesfox8191]

Do you ever use an electrostatic parts cleaner on the parts of the Mitchell 308 (or any other reel)?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I use it occasionally , but I rely on basic cleaning most of the time- thanks for asking - Dennis

[@cclub1]

Could you do a video regarding how to set a bail spring on a Mitchell 900?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I don't have one in the shop right now. I will add this to my request listing. Thank you for asking - Dennis

[@zlovnmyanglz]

*This was the third Mitchell **allabout.wiki/i82n** The bail is robust and the drag is consistent. With all it's ball bearings, they are the smoothest reels I own (second only to Swedish Abu Cardinals) It is a handsome, reliable reel.*

[@BrentAlanRoss]

When I replaced the bail spring and tighten the two screws on each side, the bail will not close, it is two tight, I loose them a little and the bail will close, but eventually the screws come loose and I have to reset the spring, what could I be doing wrong

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I think you may have a bent bail wire. Watch this video and see if it helps - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nH2rcmOrib17gLM Dennis

[@thiagorodrigues-fb1jq]

This is a rarity my FRIEND !!!!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I will put this one back together. I like this reel for freshwater fishing. They packed so much technology into this little reel. Dennis

[@robertwatson818]

HOLD THE REEL STEADY!! Im trying to see what you are doing and you are moving the reel everywhere but still.. Put the reel in a fixture--then SLOWLY demonstrate the procedure. THANKS.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks for the tip