Mitchell Reel Museum Discussion Group

I have a yard sale find 308a reel that I never used. I finally dug it out cleaned, and lubed it, and it is real smooth. Too smooth!! When I cast it the handle rotates a little, and snaps the bail shut. Is there a way to correct this ? Thanks in advance for any expertise on this. I like the reel, but I hate slinging off $4 spinners

Hrgriz I'll take a guess with Chris. Is the trip working properly? spring tension, trip lever catching the bail right (in the slot). That's all I got. Hope this helps.
Don

Thanks Chris I did what you said and it works good.I bring the bail to horizontal on the left and inertia doesnt take over. Thanks for the help. I may just swap the bail to my 408, and resell it.
David

David, I can't add much to what the Mates have provided, but I do know that it's not uncommon for the bail stop end of the trip lever to get a bit tweaked...when this happens, it does two things; 1) either creates more or less pressure on the trip stop and/or 2) maligns the bail holding slot with the trip lever...fine adjustments to the trip lever can solve both of these issues. These adjustments to the trip lever will move the inside end of the trip lever in or out, which will in turn increase or decrease the pressure it takes to trip the bail...If you bend the trip lever (the end outside of the spool) just slightly away from the bail, you increase the pressure on the trip stop and thus requiring more pressure to trip the bail (maybe it wont trip when casting then). It's touchy, because you can bend too far, which causes the trip ever to hit the trip stop at each rotation, even when the bail is closed. It can also be just a worn out trip lever. Replaceing with new may solve the whole thing and avoid needing to adjust the old lever.

Sandman

Jr, I see what you mean...in 40 years of using a 308 I've never experienced that....though I've never payed attention to handle location, I've always made sure the bail (line side) was facing straight up when flipping the bail...in your terms, from left to right....so I tried it with your two criteria and sure enough, I got the bail to trip on a cast...the reason I always flip the bail left to right is because my dad told me to do this when I was five...so I've never had that happen...I always thought he told me this because the line was right on top this way, making easier to grab...maybe he knew more than I thought...Dad's always do..

Sandman

Sandman,

I agree and I was taught the same by my father. I've always turned the line and line guide closest to the rod, where the line could be most easily hooked by a finger, and opened the bail in that position. Regardless of brand or model, left to right or right to left.

Interesting to note that the 300 (350, 400) opens opposite of most (all?) of the other models. Certainly opposite of the 302, 304, 306, 308, and associated models. In other words, they open from right to left.

Something else worth noting, I checked the manual that I have for a 308. The directions state:
1 - Bring line guide portion of pick-up bail to top of reel (nearest rod handle).
2 - Pick up line with index finger of right hand. Back off on reel handle until line guide is entirely clear of line.
3 - With thumb and forefinger of left hand, push down on pick-up bail until it snaps into casting position
This seems to say that the bail on the 308 should be opened vertically from top to bottom! The manuals that I have for the other models do not make any similar statements to "back off the reel handle."

J.

Glen, true statement.

J, thanks, it does seem to say that, since once you've backed off the handle a quarter turn or so, after fingering the line, you would be pushing down on the bail...this would certainly place the trip lever further away from the trip stop and thus making it less likely for the counterweight to gain enough inertia to rotate the head all the way around to the trip stop...I've just never had to do this...I imagine if you followed those instructions each time it would never trip the bail during casting...apparently Mitchell knew this...I've never really thought through those instructions...good digging

Sandman