How old is this reel?

shifterpilot2001 · Post by **shifterpilot2001** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 5:56 am

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how old this reel is? and if it is worth anything?

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t22/ ... 1/Reel.jpg

Thanks...

Mike

Bill K · Post by **Bill K** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:32 am

Looks like a oler model Mitchell 300. I believe it would only be worth around $30.00 at the most, and in good condition. Try a local tackle shop and/or a estimate on one of the What's it worth type of section in Outdoor life or Field and Stream magazines to be sure. Bill K

bassindon69 · Post by **bassindon69** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:33 am

I would guess 35 to 40 years old.

Don.

shifterpilot2001 · Post by **shifterpilot2001** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:39 am

Thanks guys...

Mike

Slippy · Post by **Slippy** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:39 am

Garcia Mitchell 300, my brother had one n the 70's that was probably 8-10 years old.

Gene Bowen · Post by **Gene Bowen** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:42 am

THAT WAS A REAL POPULAR REEL BACK IN THE 60 ERA. THE MITCHELL 300 AND THE SMALLER 308 WERE REELS THAT NEVER SEEMED TO WEAR OUT. IF SOMETHING BROKE THEY WERE EASY TO REPAIR YOUR SELF. THERE STILL A LOT OF THEM AROUND. I HAVE A COUPLE OF THEM , AND PLAN TO KEEP THEM , THEY BRING BACK SOME GREAT FISHING MEMORYS FOR ME. HANG ON TO IT

Smile_n_Jax · Post by **Smile_n_Jax** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:13 pm

Can't really say how old your's is, but if it's a 300C it's probably newer than my 300 that I bought in '72. Your post reminded me I still had it. Think I'll try tuning it up with some Extreme Reel + and see how it works. It's a hella good reel and I've caught a lot of fish with it.

BTW, I did an eBay search. There are over 100 reels listed and all going pretty cheap.

492slayer · Post by **492slayer** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:05 pm

Probably from the 60's or early 70's. I had a couple as well as a 308 and 204... At the time a heck of a spinning reel.

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:05 pm

As I recall the Garcia Mitchell 300c was the first version that had ball bearings (an upgrade over the Standard 300 that used bushings). I'm going to guess it was first sold in 1971. I still have one or two, as well as other versions like the 300, 410c (highspeed version), and 510c. Not sure on the exact numbers...its been years since I even looked at them. Overall they probably are not worth much as a collectible since they were produced in huge quantities.

RipnRog · Post by **RipnRog** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:17 pm

I think Cooch uses these reels still to this day......

912nitro · Post by **912nitro** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:03 pm

i have several of them. When Garcia started making with plastic i would buy them at yard sales & swapmeets for 5 or so dollars so i would have spare parts.
I dont use them much, but the orginal 300's are a great reel

Greg_Cornish · Post by **Greg_Cornish** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:35 pm

Yes, LOL Those were Top Of The Line for use back in Minnesota in the 60s. Mostly we just used Johnson Centuries. If one of us got "rich" we'd get one of these.

StockOption · Post by **StockOption** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:42 pm

I caught my first bass on a Garcia Mitchell 300.......I had a few of them back in the 70's and early 80's.....I also remember what a bit&* it was to replace the bail spring which always seemed to eventually malfunction.