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Spinning Reel Sizes
buddyb
Member Posts: 5,365 ✭✭✭✭
I wanted to buy a couple of new spinning reels on line.Seems they come in sizes from 1000 for the small ones up to huge saltwater reels.I know someone on here collects reels and would know,what size is a Mitchell 300 so I will have some reference .
Comments
According to Mitchell the 300 Pro is offered in sizes 2000 and 3000.
My ultra lights are Penn, though they are now 50 years old, they work like new.
I Can't help a lot I use to love to fish but sucked at it, LOL and completely lost years ago on keeping up on all the newer rod and reels
My 2 cents I have a few old Mitchel 300 and 301 same except handle on left side and few othe model Mitchels and a dozen or so asorted other brands ov we bthebyears bal bearings, material just got so much beter
One of the 301's i have had for 50 + yrs It was a birthday present from my parents
The fellow I looked up to on here for such info and got some sigestons on parts and paint from
was Smitty 500 mag ? If my memory serves me, he restored a lot of old mitchels and others he potest a lot and the struggle with loosing his wife
He had a awesome collection of well, everything displays in his house and shop he posted photos of were realy amazing from neon signs and fishing gear he seemed to have a huge colection of lot of items to go along with his knolage
With that I hope he is still doing well
D-R. I seriously doubt you sucked at fishing.
Now catching, that is another issue. grins
There is no industry standard on reel sizes. Some companies use 1000, 2000, etc while others use 150, 250, and so on. Nor is one brand of 3000 the same as another company's 3000, except that both are probably medium sized. In general, the 3 and 4 sizes are best for most freshwater fishing.
The smaller the reel, the less line it holds and the less that one turn of the handle will bring in, due to the smaller spool diameter. (And also is more likely to produce line kinks.)
Tell us what type of fishing you want to do and I'd wager someone on here could recommend a reel that would work. More than likely there would be enough different models mentioned as to start quite an argument, but at least you'd have and idea of which models might work for you.
The Mitchell 300's, newer or older models, are tough to beat. I've caught everything from crappie to salmon on them.
My latest reel purchase was a Lew's #30.
Smoothest spinning reel I have ever used, and I have a pile of them, between the big water equipment and the inland stuff.
I spool everything with braided line to eliminate the dreaded birds nests created by mono or fluorocarbon.
Yup. I've gone to braid on all my spinning reels. Fluoro or mono leader. I spool copolymer line on casting reels.
I've had excellent luck with Lew's reels, and also Okuma, which are a bit less expensive. I think I have at least one of all the major brands, though.
The 300 is a standard size. And built like a tank in many respects. I've seen two different types of spools for 300's. One with a deep Arbor and the normal one with a shallower arbor. Either one would let you get enough 10 pound line to make it useful for bass or catfish. The 308 is the smaller version and more for lighter lines. Here's a heads up for you. I've been reel shopping and suddenly the back-up switch has mostly disappeared. And I'm not just talking about cheap reels either. That's the switch that lets you reel backwards when you're fighting a heavier fish. Myself, I wouldn't buy one of those. That's too much of an adjustment for me.
I have one reel without the anti-reverse switch. I have learned to compensate by setting the drag a bit light and then using my forefinger to add extra drag when needed, as when setting the hook.
I'd rather have it than otherwise, however.
I collect Mitchell 300's Were great reels in the past but cant speak for the newer ones.
What type of fishing are you mainly doing?
Do you reel lefty or Right handed? (some spinning reels have reverseable handles, most don't)
Crappie, bass catfish, sharks, Carp, Tarpon, ????
saltwater???????????
I am often asked about the "one best fishing rod for a beginner" and my answer is always:
A 7 to 7.5-ft medium action spinning rod with a 3000-size reel. Spooled with 10# braid tied to a 6 to 10# leader of monofilament or fluorocarbon. Lighter leader for clearer water/fewer underwater hazards.
I already have about 40 rod and reels I just never knew what size a reel was by numbers.I bought a very good condition early Mitchell 300 and a pristine Mitchell 308 at a flea market this morning,both made in France when they were quality reels.
My last post was for general use, buddy.
A 300 will do you fine. Try to find replacement bail springs online. That's about the only part that consistently breaks on one of those reels.
Thanks
I inherited 6 Mitchell 300s 25 years ago. They all still work well today . The best reel I have is a damn quick that I have had for almost 50 years..it is my most used.
When I had my first real job,working in a textile mill,I cashed my first check,went to the hardware store and bought a Mitchell 300 and a Case pocketknife.