Mitchell 300 spin fishing reel with odd problem how to diagnose and service

This video shows how to diagnosis and repair a performance problem on the Mitchell 300 using a step by step process.
I have been servicing fishing reels for over 20 years and am sharing my experiences here. If you enjoy the video, please like it and subscribe to see more.
Questions? Comments? I reply to all.
Thank you for watching - Dennis
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www.2ndchancetackle.com
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[@gladegoodrich2297]

My Grandfather bought me my first reel and pole in the 50s. It was a fiberglass pole and a mitchell 300 reel for 21 dollars. At the time that was a couple days pay. Thanks Grandpa!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

That is awesome! Hopefully, you still have it - Dennis

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks for the note and the tip. Yes, you can run the ceramic bearings dry - Dennis

[@gladegoodrich2297]

Yes plus about 30 more Mitchell 300s. Dont fish with them because it's hard to beat a 10 bearing Pflueger President!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I do like those Pflueger Presidents too! One of the best "modern" reels available. Thanks

[@bixxkailey4351]

Dennis Everytime I watch one of your videos, I’m amazed at the wealth of information you provide for “the general fishing public”. I started watching your videos and thought your going to fast “I can’t keep up” stop the video back it up start stop start stop. One week and 3 reels repaired later… I realize how much you have slowed down your work to explain the details of each and every step. It’s out of love of these reels and from your heart, that you provided us with this information to help us keep our reels working and in good shape. It’s not for money you do this it’s for the joy you provide us. Thank you Dennis from the bottom of my fishing heart. Keep up the great work!!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I could not have said it better! Thank you for the kind words. Yes, I have been trying to improve my presentation and there have been a lot of good advice from viewers on slowing down (too fast is a Northeast thing), getting a better camera, showing the reel and not my hands and close up shorts of the reel rather than my tool box! I am trying - Thanks again - Dennis

[@petemoss9693]

Hello Dennis, I have a number of Mitchell 300 fishing reels and one of them makes that noise - so glad I had watched your video - I have been a subscriber to you for many years and like watching them plus learned a lot .

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad I could help! Thanks for your continued loyalty and viewership. I appreciate it.

[@wayneo7307]

Thanks Dennis . Another Problem Fixed !

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Amazing how some problems turn up to be unusual ones

[@mikemcelveen2973]

If you Compared this to a car this would be the 69 Chevelle 396ss with a 4 speed Muncie "rock crusher" transmission. The 300 to me is the greatest spinning reel of all times. I have several of my wife's grandfathers 300s that were used primarily for Redfish and Trout and they are still going strong. Thanks Dennis!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Still going strong and so is that Chevelle! Quality lasts! Dennis

[@Thepoacher58]

Thanks from England, I have had 3 of these reels since buying them as a 16 year old in the 1970s they have had a lot of use and have gradually deteriorated, thanks to this and your other excellent videos, they are pretty much perfect again, I am very much obliged to you.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You are welcome. Thanks for watching and for the note - Best wishes - Dennis

[@terrymccorkle1674]

I love those older reels

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Me too. Thanks Terry - Dennis

[@davidmcilveen5013]

Great advice Dennis,and shows the importance of not just the diagnosis but in having the schematic. It also shows that having "old/parts" reels can be very advantages,not only for parts,but as a diagnostic tool.....really enjoyed this one. Stay safe and keep up the great work. 🎣

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Will do David. Best wishes and thanks for the kind words - Dennis

[@antoniosolari1013]

Thank you this answered my questions, also I could see ,off the schematic you show that I got it back correct and it’s making the similar sound . Thanks again I learned a lot from this video and many others of yours

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad I could help! Best wishes - Dennis

[@jimit6398]

Good troubleshooting! I suspect that different year rotors aren’t compatible with bodies from another year.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Generally these are interchangeable, but every now and then they just don't match up well

[@christopherjenkins2373]

Sounds like you’ve already got some good possible remedies for this sound and the play in the rotor. You figured it out. Funny that out of my 31 Mitchells I only have 1 300A and no just plain 300 reels. Good demonstration of a carefully thought out diagnosis. Stay well Dennis.

[@randallpinkfloyd7225]

I've been fortunate with my Mitchell's, beyond servicing I've just had to replace a single bail spring. Unlike you Christopher, the majority of mine are 300's or 300a's. I also have an early Taiwanese 300 which is a surprisingly nice reel everything considered.

[@christopherjenkins2373]

@@randallpinkfloyd7225 When I was a kid back in the 1950s the only reel I wanted was a Mitchell 300. I can’t imagine a reel that has had a greater influence on spin fishing. When I started collecting and restoring vintage spinning reels I decided to get reels that I would use in my favorite way to fish - surf fishing. That’s why I have several of just about every Mitchell saltwater reel they ever made. Today I fished with a Mitchell 4450 reel and a Penn 722Z. I took my grandson fishing and had a ball. You can never go wrong with a Mitchell 300. That reel was the beginning of something very special in all those incredible French Mitchell reels. I recently built an all chrome Mitchell 498 PUM saltwater reel completely from parts. I wish you could see it. I’ll never fish with it as it is just too beautiful.

[@clydecrashcup9202]

@@christopherjenkins2373 I'm with you on the 300's. I dreamed of buying that reel and when I managed to get one I was not disappointed. Great reel which created great memories for me.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

It was the reel we all wanted, Great design and engineering throughout. Of course, we didn't know that was why it worked so good back then!

[@christopherjenkins2373]

@@2ndChanceTackle it was a unique phenomenon with the Mitchell 300. It looked so very “cool” and everybody wanted one. Now there is only one spinning reel manufacturer left in all of France - Bam Peerless. I hope they don’t go under. Honestly the Bam Peerless is the only modern reel I would buy as they are still made with the idea that longevity and durability are important in a fishing reel. At least in that way they are part of the Mitchell legacy of fine fishing instruments.

[@rbiel100]

GREAT detective work there!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks! Most problem diagnosis is process of elimination. Best wishes - Dennis

[@joycedimaggio3816]

Thanks Dennis

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You bet. Is it time to go fishing yet? - Dennis

[@joycedimaggio3816]

@@2ndChanceTackle YES!! I have next week off and plan on hitting a nearby river.

[@ericburns4718]

Hi Dennis! Been watching all your Mitchell 300 videos and can’t find an issue to my problem. My drag functions well , adjusts as it should, but doesn’t click when it’s being pulled out. Is this something you could shed some light on for me?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Sounds like you do not have the spring in the spool. Which the cap removed, push the shaft down and out and check to see if the click spring is there and installed

[@ericburns4718]

@@2ndChanceTackle looks like someone had been in there before and bent the click spring, probably to fix it, in a manner that only allowed it to click in one direction! I tried to bend it back to normal, with no luck….then remembered that I had a reel that I could grab another spring from (parts reel drag worked/clicked). Now I’m dealing with the bail not returning all that abruptly 🤣

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Sounds like a bent bail wire if the bail is tripping but moving slowly. First, try spraying both sids of the bail arm where they join the case with penetrating oil. Sometimes it is just dirt and dried grease that causes the issue. Work it bak and forth a few times and them tru the trip. It may solve the problem. If that isn't it, remove the bail wire screw from the non-spring side. Then pull the bail off of the terminal. If it jumps out, the wire is bent. Use gentle pressure to bend it back to where it sits on the terminal without any tension. Then reset the screw and test. The should fix the issue. If the bail is not releasing when tripped, I would then check the bail spring itself. Dennis