Crow Horse

I'm partial to the Mitchell 300 Pro. I have 4 and only had one warranty issue and "Mitchell" returned a new reel to me in about a weeks time. I've found that parts are available as well if needed....

Thanks. It excels when used in firearms but I thought its use in reels might be very limited or non existent.....

I respectfully disagree. Low quality screwdrivers have a tendency to fit poorly and cam out possibly stripping the screw head. I think quality screwdrivers are worth the cost to avoid that......

Other than firearms, is anyone using Break Free CLP in their reels? I searched but no joy......

I have the Harbor Freight/Amazon ultrasonic cleaner. Cost about $80 and I've had mine for nearly 5 years with almost daily use. I believe it's a 2L size and it's more than paid for itself. I've used it for jewelry, sockets and other tools, carbs, eyeglasses, firearm parts, vehicle parts, and virtually anything that will fit in it. Granted, it's not as powerful as some of the more pricey ones but I think it's worthy of consideration. It might take a little longer but if you're not doing production work, it's a good choice.

I don't think that the USC actually removes substrate material but rather "blasts" the substrate with a bubble implosion in a process called cavitation. Even relatively inexpensive USC's do a pretty good job. Better one's cost hundreds to thousands of dollars and I have no experience with them but I bet they kick a**. I US cleaned a 40 year old spark plug socket that looked pretty sad. After several cycles in the USC, it looked almost brand new (overlooking gouges and scratches in the chrome).

Thanks! Adding to the list: lighting (be it some type of work light or a headlamp) Optivisor (or some type of magnifying lens)

Do carbon fiber drags (on a spinner) require greasing?

Not the best pic, but it does display my "headlights as well as the 360° viewable white stern light. A flag would be prudent if sharing with motorized vessels during the day.... * Note - bow handle was a work in progress....

The potential issues shared above are precisely why we don't fish bodies of water that allow motorized vessels. Years ago I lived on the water as my backyard was the bay. Every year there would be boating accidents mostly fueled by either alcohol, ignorance or stupidity. Many times there were fatalities. I have no intention of meeting the county coroner before my time........

1. Wiha precision screwdriver set - app. $24 2. 10mm combination wrenches - app. $5 3. Assorted dental picks - found them at a yard sale, price unknown, but they were cheap 4. Magnetizer - app.$5 5. Reel "jig" - aluminum tubing with a Fuji reel seat that will be clamped into a small vise. - aluminum tubing free, Fuji reel seat app. $10 6. various cleaning implements - old toothbrushes 7. Lubricants - oil & grease, Super Lube 8. Parts tray(s) - $2-$10 9. Ultrasonic cleaner - app. $80 10.- Gallon size ziplock bags to be used as a capture bag (to capture parts that want to go AWOL) -$3 Most of the above I already had in various places at home. I'l take a pic when I get most of the items together.......

This only works if the parts are ferrous. Plastics, aluminum and certain grades of stainless steel aren't magnetic and can go AWOL. It's still a good idea and I did use a magnetic tray when I tore down my spinner......

Mesh strainers also work well to retrieve parts in the ultrasonic cleaner. It depends on what kind of parts and their size. Mason jars are helpful in saving cleaner as well. I can fill up a mason jar with a cleaner and parts and avoid having to fill up the entire UC.

I like the muffin tray idea...

I'm putting together a dedicated tool kit for my reels (Mitchel 300Pro). So far, this is what I have (or will have) 1. Wiha precision screwdriver set 2. 10mm combination wrenches 3. Assorted dental picks 4. Magnetizer 5. Reel "jig" - aluminum tubing with a Fuji reel seat that will be clamped into a small vise. 6. various cleaning implements - old toothbrushes 7. Lubricants - oil & grease, Super Lube 8. Parts tray(s) 9. Ultrasonic cleaner 10.- Gallon size ziplock bags to be used as a capture bag (to capture parts that want to go AWOL) Anything else?.........

Follow up- Success! I actually found the AWOL part and promptly proceeded to launch it again. Fortunately the replacement part arrived and I approached the assembly much differently. Unlike the posted video, I removed the side plate and pulled the spring out the bottom a bit to release the pressure. Once I assembled the upper parts I then put the spring back in it's proper position and then secured the side plate. Live and learn.......

You are correct. It's truly amazing how far one can send a lure without attached line....

It's a very popular modification with the surfcasting crowd. Many times reels see underwater service and that can really reek havoc with a bail. Obviously bass fishing doesn't require such modifications but for some it might prove helpful.....

I agree with everything you've shared, with the exception of mankind being anthropocentric. Indigenous cultures universally believe that humankind is just a part of everything that is, not the core or nucleus of it. Everything that is finned, furred, or feathered are our brothers and sisters. There is no hierarchy. This belief structure is in direct conflict with modern society. My belief is that mindset is critical, especially in the context of camouflaging oneself. Perhaps it's more important than physical appearance. Once while I was conducting a "hide and seek" training exercise where "searchers" were looking to find me, this point was made very clear to me. I was wearing camo BDU's (although the pattern was not appropriate for the environment, Thai Tigers in a woodland environment) and had 2 searchers actually urinate mere feet from my position. It was at this point that I started to think that this wasn't such a great idea. They left the area and then I moved to a more open area and positioned myself next to a trail which provided very little cover. I layed down, contorted my body as not to look too human, tossed a handful leaves to break up my outline a bit and had the instructors walk the searchers down the trail. One searcher called out that he had found me and ran over to me. I figured they had bagged me and the only choice I had was to "melt into the earth" and become a root system. I shifted my vision to a "wide angle vision". The searcher was less than a foot away and he declared that it wasn't me, turned and walked away. I honestly thought he HAD bagged me. When I got up he almost s*** in his pants and swore up and down that he didn't "see" me. This intrigued me. My camo was substandard. He should have seen me. The difference was my mindset and I began experimenting with it. The trigger for the shift in mindset was changing my vision to a "wide angle" vision where my visual screen was expanded to it's ultimate periphery. When I did this the mind followed and a shift occurred. People as well as animals became less aware of my presence in a variety of environments. I thought it was quite remarkable.......

On a spinning reel, either flip the bail manually or eliminate it and make it a manual pickup.....

For freshwater applications I don't think it'll make any difference. I'm going to be manually flipping my bail from now on. One is never too old to learn new tricks!!......

Until now, I never realized the importance of manually flipping the bail but I do use my finger to control the line during a cast.

Anyone use one? I've been reading about the importance of manually flipping the bail over vs. cranking it over. When I fished the beaches, I converted all my reels to manual pickups and it became second nature and eliminated any bail issues. I guess there's not much difference between manually flipping it and a manual pickup.......

For me, it goes far beyond "not being seen". I recognize that many will think that I've lost the plot and I'm a charter member of the lunatic fringe. I accept and understand that. Moving with stealth is only the first step in establishing a deeper connection with Creation (read-nature). It becomes a form of a dynamic meditation where I can function efficiently and be hyper aware of everything. Animals (and hopefully bass) seem far less concerned of my presence and don't regard me as a threat in this "mindset". I tend to see much more than the average Joe. Call it "being mindful" or "living in the moment"...... Birds seem to be far more friendly when I'm in the "mode" as seen below with 2 friends.....

We fish mostly quiet waters so visibility to others isn't an issue. For others who do frequent busy waters, maybe a flare gun aimed directly at oncoming vessels will get their attention. Or maybe a Phalanx weapons system........