Year of manufacture for Garcia Mitchell 306 reel

[Ocklawahaman]

Back in probably 1971, I purchased a Garcia Mitchell 306 and I still have that 306 today with the serial number 1050748 stamped on it. Was it made in 1970 or 1971 or ? Thanks for any information regarding this 306 with the serial number 1050748 engraved into it.

2024-05-17 0842 Garcia Mitchell 306 Serial No 1050748.JPG (214.43 KiB) Viewed 1198 times

2024-05-17 0843 Garcia Mitchell 306.JPG (228.04 KiB) Viewed 1198 times

[Ocklawahaman]

After reading this article <https://mitchell-collectors-internation ... chell.html> I believe that my Garcia Mitchell 306 reel was probably manufactured in 1970 as I originally had thought. It seems that in 1971 all Garcia Mitchell reel serial numbers began with an alphabetic letter prefix before the numbers -- A = 1971, B = 1972, etc. My Garcia Mitchell 306 is engraved with the Serial No 1050748; NO ALPHABETIC LETTER PREFIX. Kindly let me (and us) know if any other information is known about Garcia Mitchell 306 reel Serial No 1050748. Thanks, Ocklawahaman.

[GreatLaker]

Ocklawahaman,
Welcome to the Mitchell Reel Museum forum.
Sorry for the late response but like many of the members here I have been away fishing!
You have probably noticed that our reel dating page is for the Mitchell 300 model reels and those that are similar. Your reel, a 306, does not use the same dating system as the 300 Mitchell's, but we do have several 306 collectors here who might be able to help.
Hopefully, someone will be along soon to lend a hand.
Kind Regards,
Bill

[Sandman]

Late 1969 for that SN#...so likely considered 1970 production year (Aug - July). 1.9M produced form 1958-1986. Includes the 306/307, 406/407 variants. It was considered an intermediate reel. Was a size that could go surf or inshore, though not specifically designed for heavy salt use like the 302.

Sandman

[Ocklawahaman]

Thanks to the GreatLaker and the Sandman for the information! I've also owned a Garcia Mitchell 300 and a 308 in the past but no longer have those excellent reels. My Garcia Mitchell 306 is on a 9-foot surf spinning rod and I still occasionally use it with live or cut bait for large 6 to 20-pound freshwater fish on the Ocklawaha River, Florida like largemouth bass, channel catfish, bowfin, longnose gar, chain pickerel, etc. Tomorrow, I plan on using the 306 after I catch some sunfish for bait on my UL rig and small Beetle Spin lures.

2024-05-15 1830.JPG (50.71 KiB) Viewed 1031 times