Mitchell Reel Forum

I purchased several years ago , a not Made in France, Ball Bearing Reel.
First trip to Lake Handle and cheap plastic bail piece broke.
Reel sat idle for years, with broken part, made several call to Mitchell with no help or availability of parts.
Got back into Mitchell's once again, and decided to scrap broken new Mitchell.
Then the light bulb came on.Like Idea!!
Would the old bail assemblies work on new mitchell.
Called Mitchell again got some wise @#$, who said don' t make any mods on reel.
Put old bail assembly on and worked like a champ.
Made a handle out of Walnut and have a good working Reel.
I could not get over the poor customer service of today's Mitchell.
I am not sure of the date reel was made, it has a red gasket.

Schrack,
Over the years I avoided the newer Mitchell 300s because of the newer type bails, and I wasn't even aware that some had plastic bail parts. Glad I stayed away from them.

Ted Lanham

Roger Dat, was curios about how the ball bearing would work.
Was disappointed it broke on second cast.
Have not had ( triple negative) reel apart, so do not know what its like on inside.
Did use it several times caught some Channels on it seemed to operate fine.
I am starting small Vintage Tackle Adventure and will probably part with it.
Have been accumulating Reels and Rods to sell.
Was disappointed in Mitchell Garcia.

Schrack,
Mitchell of France was long gone. Your reel not made by Mitchell Company but company using Mitchell name or brand. Only similarity to original Mitchell 300 is the name/brand which was sold after original company in France went out of business. Sorry you were fooled.
Kind Regards,
Bill

Actually was not fooled was aware reel was not made in France.
Once I modified the bail it works grest.
Yesterday bought a box of 300' s 3 300's and one 301, two have Garcia stickers on case, one is a high speed, one is a later verison.
From the photo the 301 has a very low ser. #.
Should arrive Mon. or Tues.