The Old Mitchell 300 Spinning Reel…(If You Know…You Know)

[@bruuuce78]

Tears as I’m writing this comment. My father passed away from cancer when I was 13 in 1981, but he always made time to take me fishing even when he was ill. That was his signature reel and whenever I see one it always chokes me up. Great times and memories.

[@privatephone9238]

My dad did the same. Great memories! Thx for sharing.

[@WFSmith]

My dad has cancer and is afraid to go fishing anymore. He keeps trying to get me to take all his fishing tackle. I keep telling him that he might need it hoping I can take him fishing again

[@bruuuce78]

@@WFSmith I hope you can…🙏🏻

[@Goredorgetout]

So sorry bro. My buddy let me use his....72 or so and never saw another one.....just got one on cl...got a 308 too.20 bucks each with a rod.TRUE CLASSIC. I USE IT EVERY TIME WE GO OUT. I'LL LEAVE IT TO MY SON.❤PEACE BRO ❤😊

[@223ndog]

My dad always used a Mitchell 300 reel.

[@GARYCZERNIAKOWSKI]

I’m 62 and my Dad took me to the store and bought me my Mitchell 300 when I was 12.. I caught a 21 inch Walleye on it this evening here in Wisconsin. Miss my Dad. He was a WW 2 vet.

[@Goredorgetout]

@@GARYCZERNIAKOWSKI That's awesome bro

[@timburton9514]

Lost my dad in January 2020. He worked for Sears from 1957 to 1981. He was manager of the sporting goods department. We had Ted Williams rod n reels, guns, my baseball gloves, etc. I still have those. I’m 59 years old now. I sure miss my dad.

[@rendezvous5784]

I started out with a Zebco 202, but my first big boy reel was the Mitchell 300. You left out the sound of the Mitchell 300. An old friend gave me his 300, I matched it up with an old Garcia rod. Took it on the water to honor his memory… that sound took me back.

[@boydovens4180]

So honestly spoken , The Mitchell reels hold a special place in peoples hearts . So well designed and smooth , How many of these reels have went from father to son or even grandson almost a rite of passage .

[@Hammersmith81]

That's all we used back in the day. My grandpa's favorite reel. He bought me a brand new one in the 70s for my birthday. The best birthday present of all time. I wish I still had them. Grandpa was a WW2 vet.

[@daneschuler8471]

Randy….im 70 years old and this was the first reel my dad ever bought me. I still have it and its in perfect shape. I was 8 years old.

[@davidlilley2068]

Yes , mine as well , I'm 67 , the first reel I bought , still have it now, never give it away , except to my sons.😊

[@jimjar954]

Me too I’m 63 I have a bunch of them

[@Tmann4437]

I'm 62, I had both 300 and 308. This brings back a lot of memories. Great video Randy

[@larryspiller6633]

That old Mitchell 300 was like the Colt 1911 in pistols. Some things get improved to the point of being nearly the same as original. I'm your age and can remember tangling my Grandpa's 300 up beyond belief. Cranking the handle right off and overboard! All he did was give me that Grandpa stare that could stop a freight train. Oh the memories.

[@Tmann4437]

@@larryspiller6633 LOL that's great. I love old stories.

[@VagoniusThicket]

Bought my 300 and 308 in 1966 after I got home after 3 years as Army medic . I still have them and the extra bail springs that wore out regularly. Would catch 20-30 white bass every time I went spring fishing in Lake Erie and Rocky river . Caught perch,bass,blue gills,sheep head ,small mouth etc. Used them up in Ontario French and Pickerel rivers for walleye and northern . I also had a spinning reel that was 100 % nylon . Never saw one like it before. It was very smooth and quiet. My 308 was perfect for casting mepps spinners in trout streams in Colorado and Wyoming.

[@LoysFielder]

I'm 75 now, and I still have my old Mitchel 300. The plastic crank handje is missing, but it still works great. Thanks for keeping the old tackle alive, and thanks for all of your insite.

[@elvisjerrylee]

The Mitchell 300....A timeless classic for sure!!! The Zebco 202 made me mad more often than not...LOL

[@williampalchak7574]

My first and second reels growing up. Loved them both and wore them to death.

[@jimwillis4519]

Got 1st 300 on 1961 relative bought in PX overseas. Got 2- 330's (automatic bail) 2-300. Father wore his just about out, bearings are sloppy but still works. Picked up another 300 NIB at yard sale $5. Still have all reels, an use them. Thanks for the review. JW

[@frankglines2045]

I still have a bunch of Mitchell 300’s and 308’s from the 60’s and 70’s. Still use them a lot, while not as smooth as todays reels, they are well built and are work horses. You can’t beat the quality of those old reels!

[@dragchute1]

I watched your excellent video with my dad's 300 and 304. The three of us truly enjoyed the experience and had many similar memories. My dad is 104 years old, still lives at home and we reminisce daily. Thanks again.

[@cliffshelton-n1z]

I'm 67 years old and I still use my Mitchell 300 and 308 reels!

[@Goredorgetout]

Awesome ❤😂so do i...im64

[@GlennDuke-yc5ky]

​@@GoredorgetoutHappy fishing, you guys!

[@stevefisher2121]

One of the best reels ever made - I still have two of them.

[@user-gn1dg8fs6e]

I have 3 newer 308's that my grandkids use when we go fishing. It's still a great reel today. My old 300 is on the shelf in my shop. I've had it for 40 years. Thanks, Randy

[@georgepostins812]

Love the old stories

[@rustyknott-W.D]

I still have the 300 I bought in 1969. Still works like a charm. Best spinning reel ever made. Mostly I fly fish anymore but when I don't, I go to the Mitchell and my old glass rod.

[@timpeter5913]

My dad gave me a Mitchell 300 with the identical rod in your video when I was about 9 or 10 years old. I'm 63 now and still have it. The cork handle on the rod is worn down on one side from years of me holding it against the handle bar of my bike on my way to my favorite fishing spots.

[@marcleblanc6293]

My dad gave me a 300 when I was 10 years old, I'm 66 now. Still have that one plus one I bought in my 20s, both still work great.....best reel ever made.

[@rayvanacore4889]

At 87 these reels Brings back a few memories only I had Quick spinning reels on Garcia rods.

[@dancook8583]

I'm 63 now. During my 20's I had a Garcia rod that I used for everything, with a good old Mitchell 300. Creek fishing, trolling, Rebels for bass and bait with a 1 oz. sinker for catfishing. Great rod!

[@christopherdouglas-i4u]

still have a Mitchel 300 from the late 60's and a Quick 110 ultralight from the same time period . Great memories using both those reels !!

[@williamfeldner9356]

I have a collection of West German Damn Quick Reels, 110, 220 and 330s. I still fish them at times. They were a fabulous example of German Engineering and Manufacturing.

[@andrewbieschke7785]

I'm 59 years old and was very fortunate to go to Canada many times as a kid and as a young man for Walleye and Northern Pike with my father who passed away in 2014. He started me on a St Croix spinning rod and Mitchell 300. That gave me the passion for fishing. I then fell in Love with the Largemouth Bass. Like my father said once before he died. It's not all the fish that you caught in your lifetime, it's the memories.

[@P.Rack25]

It's fun to take the old stuff out every once in awhile and use it again.

[@rambladesmanmoe6291]

The 300 was the reel of my childhood. I’m 65. Cool video. Thank you

[@bobsmoot2392]

You are so right about "simple fishing". Fishing is a melting into nature, a communing with ourselves, out true selves. Tech insulates us from this.

[@Krispy1011]

Man does this bring back memories - my buddies and myself - we all had Mitchell 300's and Mitchell 320's. As a matter of fact , I still have them and they still work and I still use them if I going fishing which I rarely do now - great video to bring back some good ole memories - thanks!

[@thomascampbell4480]

I helped my grandpa paint an apartment that he rented. My pay was whatever rod and reel I wanted. I picked a Mitchell 300 and a Pflueger spinning rod. I still have the reel and is functional still. I have both spools. Oh the memories you brought up with this. I will be 68 soon.

[@wingateIII]

I'm 64. I paddle kayaks around and fish quietly without fish finders. I keep it simple and try to read the water and guess where the fish will be. I have my father"s Mitchel 302s and still fish them now and then.

[@churlafangaming1671]

I'm 23 an still use mine that was passed down to me from my grandpa

[@RobertPatricelli-my1wk]

Grew up in the 60’s and 70’s fishing these , still have them , they were workhorses . Used them for every species . Loved this , brought back lots and lots of memories !

[@marklopez8378]

Yes sir I'm 62 and I remember my first top water bait I purchased a Zara spook which I still have and use, oh and can't forget the smell of a manns purple jelly worm, Thanks for bringing back the memories Randy👌

[@Junebug60]

Remember back in the day about the only plastic worms you could get were Fliptails, Manns jelly worms and Creme scoundrels. Monofilament was limited too Stren, Royal Bonell, or the old cheap Sears blue line. Alot of fishing memories.

[@spikymikie]

I still have two 300's a two 308's. All four are from the 60's. Still have several old Ambassador 5000's too, the flat sided ones. What memories. Thanks Randy.

[@michaelgreene1149]

Great podcast. My dad bought me a Mitchell 300 when I was 14 in 1965. It was said to be one of the first in West Virginia where I was raised. I believe he paid around $15.00 for it. We had 6 kids and dad worked on the railroad. It was a big sacrifice for the family. My birthday present was important to him and he bought at a wholesaler. I used it until the 1980s and added another one and a couple 308s along the way. I have 3 of them now. Only stored. The Mitchell 300 inspired a 47 year BASS tournament career as a weekend. I still find time to fish an occasional tournament with my son here in Washington State. It is much tougher physically to fish so intense but the passion for the sport is still there. People don't understand how someone could love fishing so much. By the way. I own 12 modern Mitchell 300s and 308s that I currently fish with. Keep up the great work and never stop fishing.

[@garyash5459]

Thanks Randy, this is absolutely the best video you’ve done as far as I’m concerned, yeah that’s why we love fishing and the catching is truly secondary to the sport, thanks again

[@randyblaukatintuitive]

Thx man!

[@DJK-e7c]

Absolutely love this video. Those memories are surprisingly clear. I'm 68 & not in the best of health. I've been recalling a lot of my childhood days fishing in the Phoenix area, particularly some ponds near the Salt River bed between Tempe & Phoenix. Bluegills, some actually pretty good sized and Bass as my friends & I improved our skills. We even snuck into the Phoenix Zoo to fish until we eventually got caught. Besides the Garcia-Mitchell 300 & 308 ( I still have a 308) the Zebco 33 was a staple for a lot of my fisher buddies.

[@chuckstrange4154]

😢Thanks Randy, simple is key, you brought the tears. The memories and moments are there always.....

[@bobsmoot2392]

I grew up fishing with a Mitchell 308. I'm 70 now. Memories of the glowing bond formed with my Dad, Grandpa, and Uncle, while fishing are priceless.

[@willliammiller5700]

72 years old and still have my 300 I bought while I was in high school. It's been retired for dozens of years but it still works. It caught hundreds of bass and northern pike spooled with trilene xl flourescent clear blue. ( the old blue line). My oldest son still remembers listening to the anti-reverse clicking. He knew I had a fish by the change of the rhythm of the retrieve.

[@russellstewart5414]

I still use mine every year for a few trips. I even went to the effort months ago to refurbish a few old rods and reel combos with the intention of just giving them away to strangers that I thought would appreciate a quality piece of equipment. But as the spring progressed I found myself using them more and more frequently and now after catching hundreds more panfish and other fish I realized that I enjoy them more for the simple reason that they work. And here in the strip mined areas of eastern Ohio that purple paddle tail worm was always our main lure. It just produced with very little effort and huge fish were caught sight fishing. We would walk along the high walls overlooking the ponds and stalk out prey . Was rough going there and it was worth every long hike

[@armandorjusino]

I can relate to every one commenting and Randy. I still have my 308 given by my late father in 1975. Fishing with it is a journey in time and memories.

[@nedpalmer7495]

Still have mine, from 1974. I'm 63. Florida salt water favorite...

[@garydillon3960]

Randy, I agree with everything you said. Some of my fondest memories were wading below the spillway with my son and the stopping at the Dairy Queen and eating hot dogs. Age has crept upon me and I can't do that any longer but I still have those memories as he does. I've fished with Mitchell all of my life. Thanks!

[@jayfegely1213]

Definitely brings back great times spent with my late brother. He would always fish with the Mitchell 300. He even convinced me in the early 70's to fish a 300. As soon as I started to watch this video I thought of my brother. Certainly, miss him.

[@jamesatwell6446]

Good one Randy. Very positive message. Great words for our children.😊

[@623LRE]

❤️ great reel, my high school graduation present was a Garcia Mitchell 300 in 1966. I continue to use it, lot of great memories

[@LS1007]

While watching your video I couldn’t remember what old Mitchell reel I had so I dug it out of the garage and it’s a Mitchell 304. I turned the handle and I was amazed how smooth and freely it turned. It hasn’t been used since the 70’s. Thanks for sharing and jogging my memory.

[@Larry-d1c]

I miss my little 308. My favorite rod was a homemade fiberglass one. I was given a fiberglass fly rod with a broken tip. I converted it to a spinning rod and used it for years.

[@r.goetsch1006]

Great Video,,,,So true on the memories,,,growing up I used and still have a #301 and the smaller #309 both had the handle on the right side,,,sure caught a lot of fish on them back in those roaring 60s and early 70s….Thanks

[@stanpatterson4379]

I purchased a 300 in 1965 and I still have it! At the same time I purchased a Heddon Mark Golden rod which was tubular fiberglass and mounted the Mitchell on it. Unfortunately I broke the rod setting the hook on a large Northern Pike! The Mitchell 300 came in a real nice leather case with tools, lubricating grease, and a screw top canister containing a spare spool. My 300 is still in great operating condition and I have the canister with the spare spool. Sadly I lost the leather case, probably during one of my fishing trips. That reel took me out of my "Zebco days"!

[@robertleski3307]

My first spinning reel was Garcia that you had to tap to open the bail and it looked just like the Mitchell you have right now in your podcast, and it brings back so many years of memories ,I got I when I was about 12/13 and used it until the gears were gone that was when I was around when I was 50 years old. I still miss that reel

I bought a 308 in 1974 to go with the Zebco ABU Cardinal 4 my dad had given me. The most reliable reels I've ever owned. I was still using them in the 90s, when they were stolen in a burglary. Talk about simplicity. Could run Michigan creek banks with just a slider worm, a hair jig, a twister tail, and a Mepps and take all that the bronze backs could offer. Taught my son to find feeding and shelter lies without technology, and we still often forego the boat and the fish finder to exercise and experience all that nature has to give. Thank you for the great episode.

[@egomaniac247]

This is exactly the reel I grew up on. METAL Mitchell 300's.....they were such good reels. I'm 45 years old now but those were the reels I used as a kid in the 80's & 90's. They still make them today but they're full on plastic now. Man those reels take me back, so cool that you made this video. My dad still has them in his garage.

[@gordonlechner4474]

58 years ago I bought my first fishing rod and reel, I was 13. it was a Dam Quick 110 and a Phillips fiberglass rod, that I still have today.

[@stevetilk4926]

I picked up a DAM Quick 110 at a garage sale from an old codger a few years ago. Such a fun reel. I have caught some really fat bass with that reel. It’s work horse!

[@jeffkennedy8938]

I'm 71 and I still have my first Mitchell 300. My dad bought it for me at 13 yrs old (1966). I grew up in Canton, Ohio and fished the city parks. We had Water Works, Monument and stadium parks all in a row. I used to wade the creek all the way through the parks and back. There were also ponds that held huge cats and carp. City even stock trout in the spring for the fish rodeo. Great memories and thank you.

[@haroldpruitt8207]

I totally agree with the keep it simple method. The time spent in nature and with the ones you love are the best memories.

[@jayscott1380]

Love those. I wish they still made them.

[@rossevans1774]

Yes, we remember those peaceful relaxing weekends on the water that gave us time to reflect on our lives and gather our thoughts. And catching fish, well that was a bonus

[@christopherjenkins2373]

This is exactly how I learned to fish for bass. I’m 70 now and caught my largest bass in this manner with a purple worm - what we called a Carolina rig. I later got into surf fishing and now have a collection of over 400 vintage mostly saltwater spinning reels. 6% of those reels are Mitchell’s saltwater reels. I do own a 30o and a 300A that I occasionally use. I actually started out at age 5 with a Zebco 202. I only fish with my vintage reels. I don’t care for these modern models that won’t last but a couple years. I have a few that are nearly 75 years old that operate perfectly. When I saw the Mitchell reel I had to watch your video. I enjoyed it! - Chris

[@silentdysfunction2396]

Fishing stories with your dad are always the best... My dad was a bluegill guy never once saw that man fish for bass or anything that wasn't a catfish or bluegill with an old 1990's Zebco 33 Feathertouch still have it 9 years later after his passing I dont fish with it but I hold that thing like a trophy in a case and everything. and if anything it made me value the older tech more I got an airex mach and brown spinster and a mitchell 300 like yours they are worth the challenge and effort to keep using thats for sure!

[@garyweglarz]

As a kid in the 1960's it was the Mitchell 300 for our bass fishing and the little 308 for small stream trout fishing. Sweet reels indeed. Thanks for the memories.

[@tomfagerli1980]

I remember getting my Mitchell 300! My grandfather found it on the bank of the Mississippi River. Someone had left it there. He gave it to me. I used it for years. I was so proud to have what was at the time the Cadillac of spinning reels.

[@blkbass1958]

I am 66 years old and remember fishing those Mitchell 300's and Glass rods with my Grandfather on our farm pond back in the 60's and 70's. It was the best of times. The world was right during those times.

[@LonnieHarrington-z7b]

Im 62 and I caught more bass, crappie and cats in our farm pond with a Mitchell 300. Definitely bringing back fond memories on a warm spring day as a Kid.

[@cheekymonkey444]

I have my original 300 from the early '60s. I bought it with paper route money. At one point it stopped working. There was an authorized Garcia Mitchell repairman that had a small shop in town. I took it to him and he said "Kid you filled it up with grease didn't ya?" Guilty as charged. The grease hardened and jammed the reel. He then told me to sit down at his bench. He showed me how to take it apart, and I cleaned all the old grease out and "lovingly" re-greased it. Fast forward, and i started seeing them at flea markets. I have quite a collection of them now. I can't see spending big bucks for rare items. About 90% of my collection has been cleaned and set right. Most work good as new. I still fish with a Model 330 with the automatic bail. The original price of my 300 was $11. A princely sum at that time.

[@farside51]

Great video. I’m 73 and it brought back fond memories of jumping on my bike with my buddies and going fishing. I had both the Mitchell 300 and 308. They were made in France back then. My Dad bought me the 308 with the 5ft ultralight rod for my high school graduation gift. He was friends with the president of Mitchell and got them for me. I’m still using the 308 today with the same rod. I always treasured them and always took extra care to preserve them. I can’t tell you how many offers I get from other guys who see me using them offering $$$$ . I will NEVER part with them.

[@andycothern4147]

Still have my dad’s old 308 and 408 from the very early 70’s. Still take them out every now and then.

[@henkhoogenraad6473]

You are absolutely right, keep it simple and live in the moment. I fish with my son we both have a Hardy rod with Mitchell 300.

[@rjr4084]

I have 2 Mitchell 300's. One was may Dads and he bought one for me back in the early 70's. I still use them and it's my favorite reel to use, mostly for the memories of time fishing with my Dad.

[@johnm2617]

Me and my dad used the 300- 300a! In the 70's! Also had a push button Green Mitchell? Dont know the name or # ! But I loved it as a kid < Shit brings back great memories! Dad passed in 1981 I was only 16! He was 46 < Life sucks sometimes??😢😢 TY peace !!

[@samzach2057]

I have very fond memories of fishing the surf in Corpua Christi, TX, with my Dad, using Mitchell 300’s in the 1970’s and 80’s. Those were my Dads favorite reels, and I still have one today. I also use some 1970’s Penn Levelmatic, and they still perform flawlessly after years of saltwater fishing. RIP Dad!!!!!

[@ronaldgressens7736]

Beautiful story sir😉👍thanks for sharing

[@TrumanLakeTriton]

I inherited 3 Mitchel 300 reels from my dad in the 1970s and began to learn to fish. Discovered better spinning reels and baitcaster reels later. Still have 1 which I rig on heavy braid with a Zara Spook. Favorite way to throw a Spook

[@JamesPetit1]

Visions of me in the mid 70's walking down to the creek (upstate NY) with my Dads 308 and cherrywood rod. Lots of rock bass on a beetlespin mostly with an occasional smallmouth and even a trout if the stars were aligned. Then learned to get big nightcrawlers and found a pond about 12 miles away and "earned" an award from Sports Afield for a 6 and a half pound largemouth. "Signed" by Homer Circle. It went on my bedroom wall with my squirrels tails and hockey heroes....

[@eddiemcclure2347]

I'm 58 and the first fish, a rainbow trout, I ever caught was caught on my dad's 300. I have a picture taken on an old Polaroid to prove it! My dad passed away back in 18 and I inherited that reel. Memories for sure with that reel.

[@philOKC]

I’m 71 and have a collection of dozens of old fishing gear including the Mitchell 300 and 308 and a half dozen Garcia Mitchell Ambassador 5000s. I grew up in Oklahoma City watching the Don Wallace outdoor show in the 1960s on channel 4. Started tube fishing the local ponds with the purple plastic worms that Don introduced with the sliding cone-shaped lead sinker

[@dougharlow6037]

Great video. I have 3 Mitchell 300 reels, 1-mint, 2 still in the box. I also have quite a few 40s-50s bait casters and fishing rods. Love them

[@timothylundy6285]

❤ well I was a kid first thing we had were Kane poles. I was born in 56 start fishing when we were four or five my brother’s three years younger than I am. Then we graduated to the 33. That was a closed face bait cast with a 6 foot rod. Then when I was 15 or 16. I went and I bought a Mitchell 300 and a Berkeley 7 foot rod like you said fiberglass rod. And the Mitchell 308 with a 7 foot rod and that was a Berkeley rod as well out of fiberglass. So yes, I remember those days very well. And yes, I loved every second of them. They were wonderful wonderful wonderful wonderful thanks for bringing back those memories.

[@pcolapaddler]

When I was about 12, my brother in law gave me a Mitchell 300 that had some malfunction. I was able to repair it and I used it for years before a friend dropped it off of a bridge on a cold, nasty morning - a very sad day. I've since picked up a couple old 300's that I've cleaned up and use pretty regularly. They look well used and I have contemplated stripping them down to the bare aluminum and giving them new paint, but have so far resisted the urge. As a young fellow, we used them in the surf, bays, rivers... everywhere we fished. They were practically bullet proof. A lot of Whiting, Pompano, Catfish and others were caught with those old reels. New reels are nice too and I have some. Like you, picking up those old 300s and 302s bring back memories.

[@kevinlake3870]

As very young 6-7 year old kids in the 60's, we were restricted to old closed-face spinning reels, and I can remember how grown-up and 'advanced' we felt when we were finally allowed to use some of my grandpas' Mitchell 308 reels 🙂. This was back in Rhodesia as it was called then. Great, great memories indeed.

[@terrycunningham8118]

That 300, and the later 300 SS were my favorite reels for 2 decades, even as the technology changed and reels improved. I caught a lot of smallies on both of those reels. Along with my Penn 420 SS I pretty much had all my fishing needs covered.

[@petermiller9115]

I'm 73 years old now and I still occasionally like to fish some of the old reels. A year ago I took my mum's 308 for a fish catching black bream( a estuary fish here in Australia). I hope she enjoyed it as much as I did

[@garybauer124]

Still have my dad’s Mitchell 300, and 308. He took us fishing and I still use the 300 today. Bring back really good memories of my dad.

[@anthonyjerussi6343]

I remember fishing for bass with a 300 Mitchell on an original Ugly Stik (6'6" medium action) and 8 or 10lb test Stren florescent blue. We would fish with Jitterbugs, Hula Poppers, Mud Bugs, Big O's and Jelly worms. Fishing out of an old 12' jonboat with oars and drift along the bank or the lily pads casting to likely spots and having a blast. I still fish that way sometimes and it's still so much fun.

[@aycfishing]

Loved the story Randy.

[@idget600]

My first reel was a 300 on a Garcia pole. Mega memories, both spinning and trolling in a small lake on the edge of the Adirondack Park. And no motors were allowed on this lake, and trolled by rowing. Many a beautiful bass taken, and to this day have three or four 300s in my collection. 100% agree with the simpler times of no fish finders.

[@johnsimpson2069]

Great comments Randy. That one really brought me back. I learned to bass fish on the Mitchel 300 at a large golf course pond. And I remember tossing a white Cordell Spot and H&H spinner bait. And grew up on Arkie jigs with black # 1 jumbo pork frogs. And Flitptail worms that came in those bags filled with baby oil (or whatever it was) best worm ever made!! - favorite colors dark purple, ice blue, and black. I still have some of them. I actually had a chance to buy that company for a ridiculous low price and didn't have the money at the time. I'm kicking myself now so hard. But I loved my simple dependable Mitchell 300 along with my red Ambassador 5000. Keep up the good fight Randy!

[@dlkline27]

I'm 85 and gave up fishing some time ago but back in my fishing days the only brand of spinning reel I ever owned was Mitchell. I had several 300s, a 308 and a 410. Never had a single problem with any of them. Those are great old reels.

[@wd-39]

My Dad taught me to fish with the Mitchell 300. He kept spare bail springs in his tackle box. Great memories i will never forget.

[@mikem1509]

I'm 71 and still have my 300 and fiberglass rod and your right, just looking at it brings back awesome memories.

[@kenfrost6056]

Some things are just unforgettable. As an adult in Vietnam in Army aviation it was the unmistakable sound of a Huey or Chinook. As a kid, the sound of the bail snapping shut on a Mitchell 300.

[@ronmartin3762]

Great story Randy mine experience was the Garcia Cardinal reels of the mid 80’s. I still have them along with my Billy Westmoreland worm special boron rod. I caught lots of fish on them at Table Rock. Great memories with my family.

[@howardballmann1881]

All my dad did was work and drink.Thank God for my Granny who introduced me to fishing at 4 years old.She bought me my first 300 in 1966.She’s gone but I still have my 300.Thanks for all the memories Granny.

[@gregcavender7798]

My dad taught us boys with these reels back in the 60's. I didn't know there was any other reel to use for a lot of years. Those reels bring back a lot of great memories of fishing with the family. But you always carried spare bail springs in your tackle box. Seemed to be the only thing to ever fail on them.

[@davidbuehler8103]

awesome video - fishing is very Zen experience that has helped me thru a lot of tough times. my first reel was the old Penn 716 greenie - still love to fish it

[@artscoatesscoates43]

I have that same exact rood and reel. Bought it in 73 and still fish with it. It’s my go-to rood and reel.

[@mikehuhman3249]

Thank you for the story. So true. Keep it simple. Keep hooking em 🎣.😊

[@Zeke1966]

I appreciate this video Randy. I recently purchased a Garcia Mitchell 300 to replace the one I lost about 30 years ago. I had a 300 since '78 that I got for Christmas, then lost it in a move

[@edwardmarshall8795]

I’m glad to see that you saved some of them old Mitchell reels all mine are gone

[@woofie8647]

The 300 was the reel to have back in the 60's and 70's. I think all my friends had one. I still have one today, though it is not the original. It was stolen from my carport around 24 years ago, along with my large green Umco tackle box full of of lures and tackle from back in the day.

[@KennethTrontel-wg4xz]

I still have that same setup that you have in your have in your hands. It was my grandfather's and was "the bomb" in the 70's.

[@TheGoatMumbler]

The old man made me use that one when I was a kid (I'm 67) because he couldn't teach me to properly use a baitcaster without birdnesting it. Lots of cussing going on back then too. 🤣 I used it in freshwater, saltwater, ponds, whatever. I found it about 15 years ago and had it refurbished back to mint condition.

[@spothunter1376]

This brings back good memories. Can't tell you how many fish I caught on the grandfather of all spinning reels. The Mitchell 300.

[@malcolmbutler801]

I still got two and they both still work. Found one in the lake, fished with it that same day. Putting new line on one of them, heading out this weekend. Crappie and bluegill fishing for me!