Quick story.  We live half a mile from the launch ramp at Lake Oroville in Northern California. After 40 years here went out with a guide and got hooked on bass fishing last May. We used drop shots, darter heads and light spinners. We have a runabout and a houseboat on the lake so we spent the rest of the summer and last fall using these methods and neds. Caught a bunch of fish until the lake dried up and we couldn't launch our boat. 

 

I've bought a couple of Dobyns 702s and other light rods and spinning reels for our family to use. Don't want to get into baitcasters yet. We like this finesse type fishing. 

 

Now to my question and your advise. 50 years ago we lived in Alaska and did a lot of salmon fishing on the Kenai Peninsula. I found 3 old Michell reels that we used while living there. Put line on one for my grandson because he wanted to catch a catfish when we went over to Clear Lake at Thanksgiving. He did bring in a nice 14 pound catfish while there.  Got me thinking about sending these three to Delaware Valley Tackle for repair/cleaning and using them as backups. One is a 308, one is a 300A, and the third is a 300. All say Made in France. 

 

Are they worth the effort? What would they be good for? They seem heavy compared to my new Diawa Regals. I have a couple of old Uglysticks I'd put them on to start with. Any comments would be appreciated. 

They may be heavy, but the old French Mitchells are almost unkillable. I wouldn't mind having one or more of them myself.

 

I miss my old French made Mitchell 320....

I have a 300 as well

 

Its indestructible so i use it for float n fly for steelhead. But it would also work for crankbaits and topwater.

When I was little I wanted a Mitchell 308 bad but never got one for some reason .

Just now, scaleface said:

When I was little I wanted a Mitchell 308 bad but never got one for some reason .

I got my 320 for my 8th birthday...

DO NOT send them to ANYONE !! They get lost or stolen.  I am 84 & I am still using my 300 I bought 50 ? years ago. I have NEVER OPENED it up. I simply remove the spool add a very little  new 10- 30 motor oil to the shaft the spool spins on. About whenever I think it is time.  DO NOT leave it anywhere.   Look up the prices being asked on the web. They will out last the children.  If something is floppy Carry it in carry it right out until the part arrives. The GOOD original  French ones had a Counter Weight on the part with the bail pickup arm. The have NO wobble when spun very fast. 

I catch bass on my 1960’s models every year since my mentor gifted me 3 reels (308, 304, 300) nearly 20 years ago. Old Mitchell reels will always get some time on the water with me every year! 

Ha ha, yes the 300 is a legend and while heavy, indestructible. 

Clean em' up and use them. 

22 minutes ago, cyclops2 said:

DO NOT send them to ANYONE !! They get lost or stolen.  I am 84 & I am still using my 300 I bought 50 ? years ago. I have NEVER OPENED it up. I simply remove the spool add a very little  new 10- 30 motor oil to the shaft the spool spins on. About whenever I think it is time.  DO NOT leave it anywhere.   Look up the prices being asked on the web. They will out last the children.  If something is floppy Carry it in carry it right out until the part arrives. The GOOD original  French ones had a Counter Weight on the part with the bail pickup arm. The have NO wobble when spun very fast. 

Sir, you doing something right as I hope to still be fishing at 84, God bless. 

i am still doing 1 out of 2 of my  favorite things.    ?

9 minutes ago, cyclops2 said:

i am still doing 1 out of 2 of my  favorite things.    ?

Perhaps the biggest laugh I've had on this site. 

I suggest cleaning the reels.

The only part that tends to fail is the bail spring.

Remember when spooling line use mono and the bail turns counter clockwise, opposite of today’s spinning reels. Don’t use braid as the bail isn’t heat treated and doesn’t have roller, the braid may cut into the metal.

There is market for the French Mitchell reels. Do you have the extra spools in the case, helps the value.

Tom

Thanks WRB.  I have not checked the bail in decades. I use 6#braid & tiny 1 1/2" long Rapalas on it. Might be a lite enough load to survive.  Will check it.

Hmmm might have to check mine also, use braid on the 300.

22 hours ago, WRB said:

 

There is market for the French Mitchell reels. Do you have the extra spools in the case, helps the value.

I just looked and found the receipt and a large spool in the original box. The receipt says I bought in in July 1972 in Anchorage, AK.  Great memories from our 3 years there. The Alaskan Pipeline finally drove the cost of living way beyond what we could afford. 

Depending on the reel condition with extra spool and spool case it looks like the French made 300 price ranges from $35 to $90. If you have the reel box collectors will be interested.

This site has the Flea Market to buy & sell fishing tackle.

I would sell and buy your kid a new spinning reel.

Tom