Favorite old reel (Page 2): Had several 300's and 308's than moved into the Penn's(400 series) that were made in the USA(Philadelphia). Used the Penn's for shad in the Delaware River...

HawkOBX Loc: eastern Pennsylvania

Had several 300's and 308's than moved into the Penn's(400 series) that were made in the USA(Philadelphia). Used the Penn's for shad in the Delaware River catching 7lb + shad back in the 80's tournaments that would not even place for daily prizes. 2019 winner won 20K with a shad that weighed less than 6 lbs. Times have changed.

Jeffchow88 Loc: San Francisco

I have a number of 308, 308A, 408, 300, 410, 406 and 302. All still work well.

Jack Pine Savage Loc: NW Wisconsin

I snagged one and hoisted it from the depths of a Canadian shield lake a few years ago. It was kinda roached,but I brought it home,disassembled it,thoroughly cleaned and lubed it. looks a little tough,but works like a champ. Now, every trip to Canada,it is part of my gear assemblage. great old reel!

Bdubya06 Loc: Salem OR

Nice! I'll never forget buying a brand new 408. Back in 1975 or so. Rod and reel together cost about $45 back then. That was expensive in those days! Went night fishing off 10th Ave Terminal (San Diego bay) with a buddy. Put a big chunk of mackerel on and casted out. Set rod down and closed bail (mistake). Walked away (had to pee). Something big hit that rod and took it clean off the pier! Never saw it again! Big bummer for a fifteen yr old kid! Got to use it just that once! I assume it was a shark or a big Ray. Will never know! Looking back now I think that was pretty light set up to be fishing that bay. Thought we where being sportsmen I guess.

Oil scout Loc: Slidell, LA

Got my first Mitchell 300 in the late 1950s. My uncle who worked in Guam brought a few in for my dad and I. Weren't in shops here in the New Orleans area. Later bought a 302 in Cuba. Still have those two plus a 301 with the original red and black plastic box. Also have two other 300 a 310a few others that never caught on. Also a slew of red bait casting feels.

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

This past fall when I was back in Texas for dove season my cousin and I were fishin Lake Alan Henry and he had his rod propped up against the rail at the crappie house. Turned his back for a second and heard a thump. Looked around just in time to see his new rod and reel goin over the rail. Water is about 60' deep there so no chance of any recovery. Like I said in another post, learn to anchor/tie down your rods. You never know what will come along.

Oil scout Loc: Slidell, LA

Casting reels.

Justoldjim Loc: JUNCTION CITY, OR.

Bdubya06 wrote:

Anyone remember these! Caught many a trout, bass, catfish etc. with these as a kid!
I see them them now for sale on eBay for $100 and up to $150! Still have one in my collection.
Provides a lot of great memories!
Garcia Mitchell 300

I still have on retired it about 20 tears ago

Bdubya06 Loc: Salem OR

Have gotten a lot of milage out of this bad boy over the years as well! Salmon trolling in salt as well as sturgeon on the Columbia River. Another all time favorite.
Penn Jigmaster 500

Cleemartin Loc: Hampton, Virginia

Bdubya06 wrote:

Anyone remember these! Caught many a trout, bass, catfish etc. with these as a kid!
I see them them now for sale on eBay for $100 and up to $150! Still have one in my collection.
Provides a lot of great memories!
Garcia Mitchell 300

I love those old Garcia Mitchell reels; I have a 300, 302, 400 & 402 model. Do not use them these days but have them put away for old time memories.

MadMac Loc: Marion (in Grant County) Indiana

Hey saw of you buy those reels and want to sell one reasonable I'll sure be interested in taking one off your hands. I'm not gonna give you a song and dance I'll just say that dough is stretched pretty thin round here. No hunnert dolla reels fer me

MadMac Loc: Marion (in Grant County) Indiana

I've got a Penn 209. Tank of a reel.

Cleemartin Loc: Hampton, Virginia

MadMac wrote:

Hey saw of you buy those reels and want to sell one reasonable I'll sure be interested in taking one off your hands. I'm not gonna give you a song and dance I'll just say that dough is stretched pretty thin round here. No hunnert dolla reels fer me

These are now antiques; cost much more than they did new.

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

So does everything else. LOL I still choke at paying $70 - $100 for a rod. If I go into Bass Pro my wallet curls up and try's to hide. My wife goes in there and they sign her up for the Bass Pro Club and gave her a Credit card. She bought me a Christmas present there. I know I'll like it (what ever it is) as that is one of the ways to stay safely married. ;) The 3 best things to say to the wife: Yes, dear. Your right Honey. I'm sorry (for what ever) Honey. Going on 30 years with this one. And she goes fishing with me. Yes she catches more than I do, but she fishes for the perch and smaller fish. I try for he "big" ones with the surf rod, but then she catches me bait.

Kowalski

First spinning reel I ever saw was back in 1949 on the Rogue River at Shady Cove, Oregon. Might have been...probably was...a Mitchell reel. I knew I had to have one of those when the dude using it cast half way across the river. I still own a Mitchell 300, but have to admit I don't use it much anymore. Just a keep sake, I guess.