I recently bought a Berkley lightning rod (spinning) and have been using my friend's Shakespeare reel. I would like to buy my own and came across the Mitchell Avocet Gold on bass pro shops website. The reviews look good but I was wondering if anyone here owns or has used it and can tell me what they think. I fish mostly in local ponds and occasionally drive up to lake Erie or Pymatuning with some buddies. If the weather is nice I usually fish about 3 times a week and when summer break comes I will probably spend more time in a pond than at home. I am fairly new to fishing (i have been going since I could cast but only like once or twice a year... but now I'm getting into it more).

Another reel I came across was the Okuma Stinson which also looked nice. Which would you reccomend? Or is there another reel better than both of them that I don't know about? Im looking to spend about 35 dollars or less so if anyone has any recommendations I will happily take them  

EDIT: One more thing I forgot to ask... I came across that cajun red line and it looked pretty cool. What do you all think of it? I have heard mixed feelings about it and don't know what to think.

Welcome aboard!

I'm sure a few of our members know something about that gear and will have a couple of other suggestions in your price range.

Good luck.

Welcome aboard!

I'm sure a few of our members know something about that gear and will have a couple of other suggestions in your price range.

Good luck.

Thanks!

I still have tons to learn and I think this website will help  ;D

At the top of thisw page you'll see a section labeled "Fishing Articles." That's where you'll find this:

http://bassresource.com/beginner/beginner.html

Start there and look around the site. The BassResource.com Library is extensive.

That Avocet is a good reel. I have one I use for panfishing Im sure it will stand up to Bass fishing. Don't get the smaller one and I didnt notice any big difference between the regual and Gold Avocet

roadwarrior: I was browsing around earlier but thanks ill check out some more of those articles in-depth when I get the time.

That Avocet is a good reel. I have one I use for panfishing Im sure it will stand up to Bass fishing. Don't get the smaller one and I didnt notice any big difference between the regual and Gold Avocet

Thanks for the reply. I was wondering about the sizes and was actually leaning towards the smaller one because I like realy light poles (graphite) and thought that it would fit one good. Do you think the medium one will hold enough line? I will probably be using 8lb test (maby cajun red). It is the ammount of line it can hold your talking about right? Or is there some other reason the smaller one is bad?

as far as the cajun line goes it alll depends on the water depth. i personally have never fished with it and wont because i fish shallow water.i have read an seen on the tv that the line doesnt work as great in shallow water because red doesnt filter out until 12-15 feet deep.any shallower than that an it is still visible.and probably doesnt work as great.

as far as the cajun line goes it alll depends on the water depth. i personally have never fished with it and wont because i fish shallow water.i have read an seen on the tv that the line doesnt work as great in shallow water because red doesnt filter out until 12-15 feet deep.any shallower than that an it is still visible.and probably doesnt work as great.

Hmmm... what other colors in that case would provide the least visibility (to fish)? I would guess clear?

Bass Pro has Mitchell 308X on sale for $18.88. I have used this reel since 2001 and it will pull anything in that you are going to catch in a lake. I use mine for off shore and bass. It has all metal constuction where the Avcocet has graphite, although it does have more bearings. With the instant auto reverse the 308 has served me well.

My son has an Avocet that has been a good reel too.

The 310X is the lightest reel and I have one of these on my ultra light.... they are also on sale at Bass Pro.

Maybe the Mitchell 308x from 2001 was ok I'm not sure but I've had to return my 2005 308' 2 times in the last  1 1/2 yrs. Mitchell makes me nervous as my present one is also noisy. Save up $20 more and go with a Pflueger president or a Shimano in the price range.

For the $18 someone listed thogh it might be worth a shot but not for 3 times per week fishing.

HEY THAT 300X WHOLE SERIES WAS SUCH CRAP FOR ME IT PUT ME OFF MITCHELL REELS. MY FIRST FRESHWATER REEL WAS AN OLD 60'S MITCHELL 300 AND IT WAS GREAT. WHEN I WNATED A COUPLE OF NEWER REELS I PICKED UP THE 300X,308X AND A 310. ALL WE CRAPPY,NOISY,HEAVY CHEAPLY MADE CRAP.

THATS WHEN I WENT OVER TO PFLUEGER AND THAT IS MY FAVORITE RELL THE TRIONS ARE GREATLY LIGHTER THAN THE MITCHELLS AND OF MUCH BETTER QUATILTY AND THEY ARE IN THE SAME PRICE RANGE.

AND OF COURSE FOR 20 BUCKS MORE MY FAVORITE SPINNING REELS ARE THE PRESIDENTS.

BUT THE QUESTION REMAINS ABOUT THE AVOCET AAND FOR 19.99, THEY ARE A WELL MADE AND DEPENDABLE PRODUCT BY MITCHELL

GeneinTX: Thanks for pointing that out but I'm not sure if all metal is a good thing... As long as the spool is metal (if its graphite it can get nicked and catch the line) then I don't mind if some other stuff its graphite. It makes it lighter. And I would think the avocet would be a better reel anyway since its newer and costs more.

I will check out the Pflueger and Shimano but If they do cost 20 more then I don't know if I want to go that high... Im 15 and need a car in a few months here so I'm trying to cut costs everywhere I can. I just want a decent reel that will cast nice and bring in some bass.

Thanks for the replies though.

PS: would clear line be better than red for fishing ponds with a variety of baits? I will probably be using stuff like hardbaits, (topwaters or crankbaits) live worms, plastics, and I plan on buying some spinnerbaits or buzzbaits soon.