Vintage Luxor and Garcia Mitchell 308 spinning reels return to the water

In this episode, Willie cleans up the second have of the "Lightfoot Antique Mall" finds, a Garcia Mitchell 308 and takes it and the Vintage Luxor out to bring in some of the biggest crappie caught to date at the Lake.

[@TimHaunFishing]

Man, what a bite! And much needed after the tough bite you've been having I'm sure! Those slabs were something else. Glad you had a great time and thanks for sharing it with us. God bless.

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Hey Bud!! Yep, the fish are on again, for now. Soon it’ll be so hot they won’t bite again. But yes, a great day!! Thanks for watching Man!! How’s Florida?!

[@ddselvig]

Now I’m really jealous, Willie! You were correct in your assessment of what a ground blizzard is.

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

We don’t have ground blizzards, we don’t have any kind of blizzards… Dairy Queen has one..it’s tasty!!

[@christinerogers5331]

Absolutely fabulous video, I enjoyed every moment! The better weather showed up and the spring bite produced some really awesome crappies. Looks like both reels performed well and that Mitchell seems like it's brand new! Great video Willie, the catch was well overdue! Take care and be safe!

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Hey CJ! Thank you so much!! Both of those reels worked quite well…and yes, a much needed weather change has definitely got them looking for food!! Won’t stay that way long though.. unfortunately. Once the heat gets here.. Thanks for watching CJ!! I appreciate it.

[@sempergumbie]

Great video, lots of fish catching! That was awesome🎉

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Yes Sir!! I’m planning on going back today on a secret mission!! 😉🎣🏍️

[@user-rj5lx6dt1d]

The Luxor and the Johnson 100b are two vintage reels that I still use. There's nothing like catching lots of fish on a 60 year-old reel. The machining and metals used in that Luxor were of the highest quality. That big gear can reel 'em in fast!

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Hey there! I really enjoyed using the Luxor. I believe the bail system was definitely ahead of the curve. I love the oil screw on the crank shaft housing. It’s very simple to work on and I’m goin to take it apart one more time to clean it out again and see if I can loosen it up slightly. However, I really enjoyed using it and will definitely be keeping my eyes open for more of them. Thanks for watching Buddy! Willie

[@charlespearsonii9387]

Got 2 308 reels. Use both of them regularly. Great reels.

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Hey there! I’ve had so many of the Garcia/Mitchell 300 series reels in my time. Only have one 304 and two nice 308s right now. I find them everywhere I go. Mostly the 300. I usually keep the 308s if they’re in good shape. Eventually someone else ends up with them. If I didn’t give them away, there’d be hundreds of them around here. Lol Keep those 308s clean, they’ll last a loooonngg time. Thanks for watching!! Willie

[@skyedancer3106]

Hi Willie, you caught some really huge crappies. 😮 After watching you use the Luxor, it looked pretty cool and smooth. Oh I don't know which one I'd choose. They both look really great and work amazing. The fish thought they worked too good.😅 You got the Coleman running pretty well now. I'm sure you'll have something else come up. Nothing bad of course. 😊 Tell the family Hi and meow. Take care and stay safe till next time. ❤❤❤❤

[@ddselvig]

Sure like the contours of that Luxor!

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

I loved using it. It’s got quite the personality… 👍🏻

[@raymondthompson1476]

Nice video, Old Sport. I love Luxor reels. However, im commenting to say that I applaud your handling, and respectful return of the fish. To me, while I'm fighting, landing, and unhooking a fish, it's my best friend, and I always treat them as such. Regards. Raymondo.

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Hello there my friend!! It’s a pleasure to meet you!! I thank you so much. I do my best to make sure all that I catch, goes back as safely as possible. Sometimes when the water is low, they have to get tossed a little bit but I still keep them as low and close to the water as I can. I find that the older I get, I can’t even harm a worm by putting him on a hook. I don’t use live bait at all because I don’t believe any of those worms, minnows, bluegills, or whatever, were born to be bait. Silly sounding, maybe but it’s how I feel. It’s my first Luxor reel. I really enjoy using it. I’m gonna take it apart again and see if I can loosen it up a bit. Thanks for watching and commenting!! Willie

[@raymondthompson1476]

Hi Willie, Old Sport. I feel the same about using any sort of live baits, worms, or small fish, or whatever. Fishermen say in justifying it that these little things don't feel pain like we do, and I can't say whether they do, or not, but it's pretty clear that they don't like it. Anyway, I like your style, so keep up the good work. Raymondo. UK.

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

@@raymondthompson1476 My friend, I believe you and I would get along just fine. A big “HOWDY” from Virginia and a even bigger “THANK YOU” for watching!! I appreciate you very much!! Willie

[@Caucagiaitri2023]

I love Mitchell

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Hey there!! It’s hard not to love the old Mitchell’s. I grew up with things. They were affordable and you could tear them apart on the side of a bank, clean them out and keep fishing!! 😂 Thanks for watching and commenting!! I appreciate it!! Willie

[@Tightt88]

I see you’re using that Ozark Trail rod!

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Yes I am!! The spinning rod is great, aside from the cheap cork, it performs just fine. I’m using two OTX casting rods today but I still do not like the handles, they’re too short. Should’ve just ran the cork all the way to the base…

[@Tightt88]

@@TheGraytOutdoors I sealed the cork and it smooths it out a lot. Feels much nicer.

[@Arrigo_Outdoor_Adventures]

I have my dads Mitchell 300

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Clean it up!! Take it out to the lake and catch some of those big Bluegills!!

[@Arrigo_Outdoor_Adventures]

I use it trout fishing sometimes with his pole from 1968

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

@@Arrigo_Outdoor_Adventures That’s cool!! They’re extremely fun to use but not all of them are friendly. Some times the bail will flip prematurely during the cast, locking the line back in and man, your reflexes better be up. Lol I’m gonna get the 308 and the 304 back out there soon. 😉🎣

[@ddselvig]

To me most of those crappies looked like prespawn females. Didn’t see any males dressed in their blackened spawning colors.

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

If that’s the case, they’ll be a lot of tiny crappies swimming around soon. Gender is one of those things I’ve never paid much attention to in fish but totally makes sense, big belly’s and all.