Mitchell Reel Forum

Good Day Mitchell mates,

I was given a Mitchell 486 today. The reel is in very good condition, maybe excellent. Is this reel rare? Should I fish it or trade it to a collector?

The colour of the reel is a dark midnight blue, almost black. It has FRANCE under the foot. The Serial number is also there - 020722. The plastic drag knob looks like it has faded from black to a dull grey colour. The bail, anti-reverse lever, handle and sideplate screws are bright and shiny.

Does anyone have any advice for me on this reel?

Best wishes, plenty fishes

G. Glen Simpson
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

I guess I'll be fishing it.

Glen

Glen, not a particularly rare reel...I wouldn't worry about selling it to a collector unless it is in NOS or near mint condition, then there may be a collector who wants it.

Sandman

That was my thinking, I am not a collector.

there are not a lot of Mitchells here, other than 300s. a few 304, 308 etc. I have only seen a few salt water Mitchells, all 302 models. When this one was givwn to me, I thought it may be rare. Turns out, the guy that gave it to me bought it at the Carlisle Flea Market in Pennsylvania. He was down there for a Car Show. What a laugh.

Glen

You may want to give that person a nice Christmas present this year, those reels, in excellent condition fetch around $100 on ebay.

Sandman

I work with him and we swap favours back and forth. He is a year younger than me, we are the oldest 2 in the building. Sort of like Statler and Waldorf. He says he didn't pay much for the reel. He also gave me a 300 with the Boomerang anti reverse lever. The 300 is badly corroded. I will likely use it for parts, even though it does function well.

Thanks for the response.

Glen

Hi again,

I bought a ten foot rod for this reel, it seems to balance well. The rod is Bass Pro Shops’ house brand, Offshore Angler. I have the reel spooled with a heavy braided line. This all should suit the amount of Salt Water fishing That I do, maybe 3 times a season or so.

Best wishes to all.

Glen in Nova Scotia