Mitchell Reel Forum

Welcome to the fascinating and infuriating world of Mitchell. Most dates can be confirmed but no records were kept through the years. :text-welcomeconfetti:

Kim

Most people here don't deal with that production of reel. Maybe do a " google " search and learn from there. You Tube not a bad option.....
Kim

Try it out and determine if it suits your needs. Nothing to lose, but everything to gain..........
Kim

IMOHO, they wanted a better line pick-up, the full bail. Since the full bail was still under copy-right they had no choice but to produce 1/2 bails. When the full bail C-R expired Mitchell then started producing them. To me the full bail has many advantages over the 1/2 bail. The rest is history.......

Excellent chart. I wonder about the line thickness for 10llb test years ago compared to today with advanced technology??? More line able to be spooled?
Kim

Good morning. Almost done with vacation at Myrtle Beach State Park. Weather has been good except today. Raining right now. Question here. Can a 303 or a 403 be converted if not already to a cross wind return?? I know a 307 or 407 can be. Just need that gearing. Want to put braided line on these reel...

Welcome to the site. :text-welcomeconfetti: The big auction site would be your best bet. Also, there may be someone here that knows a person that has new old stock plates for sale. Not many 540's made so getting someone to part with one may be tricky. The fish look fantastic. Cooking on grill or pan...

Can't be of service for actual manufacture. BUT, not a Mitchell spool.
Kim

The reel next to the Pro Africa is the one in my book that Dennis released. Big difference in the pattern. May have been a test model or an employee experimented on their own time. Nice looking reel that raises more questions than answers. I have another book that I can check later to see if it is i...

TOTALLY agree about the picture quality................

Kim

Is there any printing on the spool?? Mitchell made " marbleized " reels in 2000 to celebrate that year. Made for only 1 year. My picture has 498X printed on the spool with dots. Could be one of the 1st made and then Mitchell decided to put writing on the spool. Pretty rare reel, congratula...

Sweet looking reel Fishabout. Back in 2011 at the NFLCC held in Daytona I was privileged to meet Ray Adams. Ray, Dennis and I had some inciteful talks about Mitchell reels. Ray did research on the "G" series reels, and you would be surprised that any survived at all. Same year we had the 1...

Either your trip is bent out of shape, busted end or the part under the rotor is worn down. Pull the spool off and open bail. Look down at trip mechanism and slowly rotate the rotor while looking at trip. See if the trip is pushed away from the spindle. If not, then you will need to remove trip leve...

I was able to print several copies of the reels made just in case. Now, I have a question about 1 of the reels listed. HAS anyone seen or have a GM 205??
Have never seen one in person or a picture of it. Thanks.
Kim

Yes, that's the one. Are we able to copy and download? On my phone at work, lunch right now. Thanks
Kin

Hello, could someone post a link to the numbers of each Mitchell that Wallace put on this site? Have tried in vain to locate it here. Thanks......
Kim

Nice looking reel. Any idea how many were made? I know there was talk here that after-market spools were made for Mitchells. Not sure if commissioned for Mitchell or not.
Kim

Some nice-looking trout Don. I see little feet in the background. Any help from her?
Kim

I don't think that is it. Not many people fishing or able to scour marketplaces or flea markets. I haven't open water fish since 9/2021 and other things have took presidence. There others sites that are look at me and not much to do with repairs or history. Once the warm weather is here things shoul...

Welcome to the club.... There is a chart for sizes and uses plus line capacity for each reel. Unfortunately, I have only seen them in Garcia annuals. Garcia had annuals from early 1960's to 1980's for the Mitchell reels. Full of information and what was available to purchase that year so to speak. T...

I'm not sure since I don't have a 308S.If you have both then you can experiment. They probably have different part numbers due to a different color reel. I'm sure more knowledgeable people will chime in.
Kim

Not sure as to how many. Some people here have serial numbers on them. According to Dennis's Value Guide " Big Foot" was the second version 1952/53. It was a special-order " custom " reel that fit a specific rod. Could be purchased without the elongated foot. I would imagine a fr...

Can you take close-ups and send pictures to someone who then could post them here?
Kim

The earlier Mitchells had the serial number stamped on the opposite side of the handle on the body. The top portion outer side.
Kim

According to Dennis Roberts Value Guide, 1950 was the 1st year of left-handed Mitchells. The engraving on the plate is an upside-down Mitchell. This was for the 1/2 bail with metal handle. Then when Mitchell was able to manufacture a full bail due to the copyright on the full bail running out the en...

Is it possible the "c" is a 0 that only 1/2 got stamped? Mitchell was famous for it.
Kim

2nd box in annual and no insert
Kim

1st box in annual
Kim
Note: No insert

2nd did not take. Will resize again
Kim

I'm trying to upload resized pictures of brown box. Here goes nothing.
Kim
Box has yellow insert for reel. Last year of listed in annual.

Ted, I will have to recheck my annuals. There may have been more writing below the picture to show them available as a kit. There was a picture that had the yellow insert but was too much in a hurry seeing the duration of being offered. Plus, I know I did purchase a KIT with contents and reel but di...

Bill, you just summed it up. Probably between Dennis's 1st and 2nd book he gathered more information and realized the 2nd version still has the wooden knob then over to the metal knob. Makes perfect sense. In the 2006 Value Guide 1946/47 he has 2nd version with wooden knob. The 3rd version 1947/48. ...

I checked my Garcia Annuals. 1st mentioned and picture 1966. 1965 last time picture for black tackle box. Listed up to and in 1971. After that no picture or mention. Garcia listed them as tackle boxes and not kits.

Thanks for the replys. I'm definitely not an expert and can only go by what is stated and read in books. As the digital age enters and more information is passed on we can narrow down the facts. 1st version no serial numbers. After that the reels came with. If we pool the SN then we could further. W...

Forgive me if I'm wrong. Your reels are great and having just one would make anyone's day over here. I noticed 5 of the 6 reels have the metal knob on the handle. Looking through Dennis's Value Guide 2006, page 20 he has that version as the 3rd. What am I missing here? The reel 2nd from the left on ...

I have Garcia Annuals and paperwork and remember seeing these kits in them. As time permits today between weekend house work and the snow we are about to receive I will search for it.
Kim

Thanks for the pictures. The case is actually brown. I have several like that. Mine was sent to me with a 440 in it which I think is wrong. Other people here have more knowledge on these kits than me. Nice kit and looks original. I believe it is missing some lures and snap swivels plus booklet. KIm

If you are holding the reel with the foot in the air is the handle on the right or left side? If the handle is on the right side, then it is a "301" and fairly common. There should be a serial number but not under the foot. Opposite side of the handle at the top of the body there should be...

Ed, would be interesting in seeing your plastic reel case. Is it square or roundish? Normally would be 2 piece black and red case with yellow plastic piece that holds the reel inside. Mitchell did make one that sounds like yours for the 330 that had a paper label on the side that resembled a fish. Kim

Beautiful pictures sandman. Just realized they came with spring handle. Can't imagine reeling in a big one and handle starts to twist from the excitement.

Kim

According to Dennis Roberts Value Guide the reel was made in 1989, when stamped Taiwan or no stamp at all.
Kim

I think last year someone on this site had K kits but in different colors and material. Posted some nice pictures too...........
Kim

Thanks again for the reply's. The 1st 1,000 as test reels does make sense. Sooner or later one will probably pop up. Who knows, it may be different in design which Mitchell had to modify for usage.
Kim

Hey, you 2, thanks for the reply. The reel is not mine and will see if the owner will send me some pictures. I didn't know if the 1st version had serial numbers or not.
Kim

Not my area of expertise but what year and version would the serial # A02019 be? Checking for someone. Thanks
Kim

Congratulations on your recent finds. There is no difference in the BALZER reels as opposed to the others. Only difference is the BALZER engraved in the side plate reel means it was marketed through a German vender that was granted distribution rights by Mitchell. Hope this helps...
Kim

Great doing Chris. Most of us have move than we can ever use. Pass it forward for the rest............
Kim

Ok, Here goes nothing since I'm using my phone.

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Nice reel. Reminded me of my cut-away 306. So, I located it and it has to be a factory salesman sample. WAY too much work showing the insides. No number on the foot either. Will try and take pictures and post here.................
KIm

As Bill states the brass plate is blank from factory and is for personalizing the reel with yours or someone else's name. Hope this helps............
Kim

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