304 Mitchell

[Schrack]

Just tried it out and was impressed with it.
What is the weight limit on fish?
When big Catfish started hitting used trusty 300.
Can you put 12# test on it and will it be ok?
Takes a little getting used too, but was awesome.

[Wallace Carney]

Hi Schrack, Welcome to our group. I'm rebuilding this from a group with almost 3,000 members.

I've never put a weight limit on any reel but believe the size fish is only dictated bu the line test. Personally, I wouldn't use over 8# test on a Mitchell 304 size reel. You will find yourself struggling if you're not careful. The 12# test belongs on the Mitchell 300 sized reels. I've caught a 20# Snook and a 23 pound Catfish on my 300 with 12# test, man what a day these were!!!

All of this is just my opinion but I welcome anyone else to chime in with there thoughts. If you're new to fishing with vintage Mitchell reels and looking for an ultra-lite sized reel, you must try the Mitchell 308 or the 408 if you want higher speeds.

All the best,
Wallace

[Schrack]

Bought my first 300 in 1956, and have been using them since.
I mainly fish for Channel Cats around 8# on down.
Recently wanted a trout reel for Pa. and purchased several 304's put 6# on them.
Took it along to the lake just to try, hooked several nice cats and seemed to do fine. Rod was Garcia colon 6' worked fine.
Now 300's I use 12 to 15 stern orange catfish line.
Bait is a Colorado spinner size1 with Berkley live watermelon pearl 3" minnows.
I have been restoring Mitchells for some time would not use any other.
Another quick Question, I have an old 300 with small round handle only marking is on foot which is a B Do not see any ser. Where would ser be if it has one. paint is kinda gone but inside is in super good shape. What do I have?
looking forward to hearing from you.
glad forum is back

[don309]

Schrack
If you make it back to PA, and are any where near Philadelphia let me know.
I have 2 streams near me 10mins. and 20 mins. away. I do a whole lot of trout fishing!
We'll use some 204 & 308's paired with some ul rods I built.

[Wallace Carney]

Another quick Question, I have an old 300 with small round handle only marking is on foot which is a B Do not see any ser. Where would ser be if it has one. paint is kinda gone but inside is in super good shape. What do I have?
looking forward to hearing from you.
glad forum is back

Hello again Schrack, It sounds like you have a Mitchell 300 half bail. That's assuming the "small round handle" is the aluminum handle knob. If you post a picture of it, we will know for sure. Cheers, Wallace

[Schrack]

Negative is full bail, paint is kinda trashed but reel works like new.
Looked for Ser. # but no luck, just B on foot.
Compared to photo of early reel inside face plate under spool is like one shown but does not have hole.
Just rewrapped old St Croix which Reel is going on.
I have another with same type handle but it is white not black.
Do not think these are rare but are early.
Here is another question.
Can Mitchell's operate correctly on a rod that has pistol grip type handle?
The Reel is mounted down a little unlike ones that have flat mounts.
Just curious?
Have you ever fished in Clinton County, Pa?
Thanks again

[Schrack]

Rod ready, took down to lake with old Mitchell, caught several 5 # cats, decided to put a 56, 300 on rod, the old guy did ok, but just wasn't right.
Will give 56 a try later this Eve.
I think the handle with round knob was a little small. Made it yards with fish on.
Could change handle but would not be stock.
Outside of that issue works like a champ.

[don309]

Never been to Clinton County, what part of the state is it in?

[Schrack]

Lock Haven. Between Williamsort and State College. Like North Central.
Good Native streams, Lick Run, Queens Run, Young Women's Creek.
I did not like Fishing Creek, it was all stocked.
Here in Del. They stock several ponds and trout die about mid summer.
Here I love the channel cats, would not eat any fish out of Del. Waters.
Wanted to try surf fishing but somehow just can not get into it.
Have a great night.

[don309]

I have been to Lockhaven, but not to fish. I had relatives from their back in the sixties. I do a lot of flounder fishing, in the bays and inlets of New Jersey. I also Indian River in Delaware.

[Schrack]

Kinda funny Don, I have lived in Dover since 74 and still have not been Salt Water fishing, have rebuilt a bunch of 302's that are just hanging in the garage along with rods.
I mostly fish Moore's Lake spill way for Channel Cats.
In L.H. I fished Lick Run, Craigs Fork, Young Women's Creek. For the native Trout, most of them are too small but fun for a day.
My Grand Daughter wants to do surf thing, they live in N.J. not far from A.C. have the salt rec. For N.J.
Will try it once.
Have been doing great so far, with cats, they are all still in water, release them, they are still here.
Sorry to ramble on.

[Schrack]

So what rod would anyone recommend for the 304.
I have a couple Fenwicks, Medium length 6' 6".
Older St Croixs Medium 6' 6".
Have a light weigh Early Berkley that I have been using. Very sensitive rod, handle a 5# fish very well with 6# Spyder line.
Any advice is welcome.

[Schrack]

The God of Rods must have felt sorry for me.
Unexpected received a Fenwick light 6' Rod, had a broken tip, otherwise in Super Condition for its age.
What a combo, new tip installed and off to the lake, all I have to say is WOW.
It cost me 5 Mepps and two Rappela lures.
Thank You God of Rods!!!!!!!
Happy 4th.

[Wallace Carney]

Hey Schrack, Congratulations on your combo. Have a great and happy 4th of July.

Best Regards, Wallace

[Bonaventure]

Back about 1979, I caught an enormous Carp in the Trent River in Ontario. I got it on a spinner and worm while trolling for Walleye. The rod was a 5 1/2 foot ultralight Berkeley Fiberglass model, the reel was a Mitchell 308 spooled with 4 pound test. it took about an hour to boat the behemoth, I don't know what it weighed but it was 32 inches long and built like a football. We had to follow it about a mile down river, then it turned and brought us back up river. That was the greatest test of my angling skills.

I posted this in the previous Museum.

That would make a good political slogan, - "Boat the Behemoth"

Glen in Nova Scotia

[Wallace Carney]

Hi Glen,

I love that story mate! Most anglers would not have the patience to land a big fish like that on 4 pound test. I have great memories of landing the one that should have got away. Thanks for sharing.

Kind Regards,
Wallace

[Bonaventure]

I only wish it whad been a walleye. Just downriver from where this occured, on a different date i was with a fellow who caught a 26 inch rainbow trout.

For this Carp, if we had not been in a boat I doubt that i could have netted this fish. I had an idea when I hooked it, that it was a big Channel Cat. The hook was near the back of the fish's mouth and he was sort of chomping on the spinner wire. it was a single hook on a Mono lead about 20 pound test hooked to a stainless ball bearing swivel snap.

It was fun

Glen