The Mitchell 300 used to be the "go to" reel for trout fishing around here, but wondering what people are using now days?

What's in that same general price range that works pretty good, and is "affordable" Say, $50. to $100. ?

Thanks!

Virgil B.

You might consider one of these.

Pflueger President Spinning Reel - Model PRESSP30X

This, I like the 25 size.

Thanks for the replies!

I'll go check these out.

I went back through the old posts several weeks, and found a thred on spinning reels.

The Pflueger reel was one of the one's recommended on there also.

I dug out my OLD Mitchell 300, (about 50 years old) and it was so gummed up, I just tossed it in the trash.

Has been hanging in my shed for over 30 years. Time to up-date a little! (GRIN!) And... GO FISHING!!


Virgil B.

Daiwa BG 1500. I’ve used and worn out a number of reels over the years, and this is my favorite by far in that price range ($110). Aluminum frame (not plastic) and impeccable machining. Second would be a shimano.

Learned to fish with a Mitchell 300 half bail. To this day still have a full bail 300. It ain't ever gonna see the trash! But for average size trout, say to 12" the best reel I ever had was a Mitchell 308! I don't fish for trout any more but have a reel or three I really like for crappie. Two are Ocumas and one a Shimano. One Ocuma is an UL and I haven't a clue how to tell what the size of the other two is. Both are a bit smaller than my 300.

More good advice!

Keep the "tips" coming!

Seems like good advice to check out all options.

Any advice on where to buy a good reel? Best prices, etc. ?

Thanks again!

Virgil B.

We have come to use Shimano exclusively in size 750 or 1000 A few models and prices in those sizes...we stick with the ones around $80

This is a Sedona 750...






This is a 1000 Sahara...

I've used Shimano Saharas and Sendonas for quite a few years. Also picked up a Pflueger President last year. They've all been good reels.

The Shimano Sahara is good in my experience. I still think the Daiwa BG is better, but it’s also more money. The Pfluger Presidents that I used started out smooth out of the box but would not hold up over time. I had three of them and only one is operational right now. I would pass on them unless you don’t fish much.

Daiwa always seemed heavier. Used Pflueger and Shimano's with great success.

Ingwe, what rod is that above? Nice trout.

Heading to town this AM to check out fishing reels at the local gun/fishing shop.

Looks like I better check out Shimano and Daiwa as well as Pflueger

Virgil B.

The rod is a Shimano as well...5'6" ultralight

we fish small creeks and its just about perfect for tossing the little Panther Martins.

I have one in the Clarus line, works great.

Went to the shop, and ended up getting a Lews Mach 11 spinning reel on the salesman's advice.

120 yard, 8 lb line capacity. $69.

He said he had sold 500-600 of these in the past 6 years with very few returns. Way less than Shimano.

He also said they quit selling Shimano because of problems on returns in the last few years.

Anyone running one of these Mach 11 reels?

Now, to get a good trout rod.

I've got a 5.5 foot Eagle Claw for small creek fishing, but am thinking a 7 foot Ugly stick might work pretty good for bigger streams?

Virgil B.

It's pretty hard to beat a 6&1/2 ft. med/lt for an all around spinning rod.

I think a huge problem in choosing a reel of any kind is that some people, probably a lot, have a closet full of reels they use once in a while and don't use anything in particular unless they developed a personal like for it. Shoot show me a fisherman that has used enough different reels to actually tell which is best. In level wind reels I'm an ABU fan. But I also have several different brands other than my ABU's. Are my ABU better? Probably not but I like them best! Spinning reels I like my old Mitchel best and my favorite was that old 308. Better than anything else? Probably not I just developed a fondness for them, that's all. My Mitchell is pushing 70 yrs old! Does that make it best? I doubt it! Got my little UL Ocuma and dearly love it but liked my old Mitchel 308 better! If I still had that 308 I'd still find myself using one of the other's now and then! There is really no reason to look for a reel that last like those old 300's or my ABU's. Anybody with any kind of passion for fishing is gonna be looking for a new reel in a year or two anyway! Spend $300 on a reel and get a new one every couple years. I could see this guy with a closet full of $300 reel's in a few years! None worn out and he's still looking for the best! Get one you like the way it looks and feels to you, doesn't matter what brand as long as you like it! You probably gonna start looking at a new one in a couple months anyway! Fishing is not really about fishing, it's about buying equipment! Imagine if you will a guy with 30 Pflueger's President's in the closet all on the same brand and model rod. How would he have any idea if he had the best or not? Buy the way, I had one of those Pflueger President's and that was one nice reel! I should get another! Knew I shouldn't have looked at this thread!

Don;

You make a good point! I'd had my old Mitchel 300 for right around 50 years. It was time for a new reel.

I like the feel/function of this new reel. As far as lasting the same 50 years, I'm about to turn 68 in a few days, and don't figure I'll be fishing long enough to wear this one out.

I did get a nice pole this AM to mount my new reel on! I Bought a new Fenwick 7' 6" eagle UL mod.

Got it for $53. So, I'm in to a new pole and reel for just over $100.

Now I'm ready to go FISHING! (grin!)

Virgil B.

Still using my Garcia Mitchel 406.

https://mitchellreels.ourboard.org/gallery/photographs-common/406-407.php

I've got a bunch of spinning reels including the older $30 Shimano Siennas which were all I used, fresh or salt water for around five or six years up to a couple of their Stradics that cost a lot more and a couple of Diawa BGs. They all work equally well. There's a lot of people that like the Pfluegers and say they work fine. I believe the people that make spinning reels have got it figured out. Seems like whatever brand spinning reel regardless of price, it's going to work.

+1 We use both sizes of this reel and also like the Pflueger Purist, too. Very good reel for the money.

That is such a cool and nostalgic picture! When I was a boy that is what my Dad used for freshwater (he bought Penn for saltwater).

I bought a Daiwa Fuego LT 1000D and put it on a ML Fenwick Eagle rod for fishing trout in streams. Very light and smooth. List was $100 but I waited until the shop had one of its 20% off sales to buy.

Sorry, I should have credited the internet on the photo grab. But my 406 is exactly that reel.