Garcia Mitchell 486 on a Conolon 11' -4" Surf Stick

[coastal_dan]

So this started as having my grandfathers old surf rod next to the reel case...I would look at it and think 'I need to fish that!'  After a bit of research and digging I found the 486 and 488 to be what I was looking for: easy to work on, not too many working parts, and ease of buying parts.  I got a great deal on a 486 that ended up needing quite a few new parts, it turned into a bit of a waiting game locating various parts (and deciphering between the two different versions of this reel).  I am beyond happy with the end result, it feels fantastic on this rod...perfect weight and listening to the dog engage is such a thrill.  In the end, I showed my Dad...he said my grandfather would have been really pleased with the combo; this was enough for me    It'll be loaded up with 20 lb mono and used for soaking baits.

Thanks for reading and looking.  Tight Lines!

I'll just post completion photos, I have a lot of build photos but mostly parts comparison shots.

Giant shot out to our friend Pompano Joe (Joe Prestridge) he sent me a parts reel and it had the exact part I had been hunting and scouring the interwebs for.







[/URL

[Shark Hunter]

Very Nice Dan.
I've been looking at the 498's.

[mo65]

I'm diggin' it...great work Dan!

[handi2]

Dan thats what i grew up fishing with. It sure brings back memories.

Thanks for posting.

Keith

[STRIPER LOU]

Very nice Dan! Its a classic setup.
......    Lou

[Bryan Young]

Nice set up Dan. Joe rocks.

[Alto Mare]

Great set up Dan, but I have a feeling I already told you earlier .

[Bill B]

Looks great brother Dan....love the  colors on the Conolon....Bill

[coastal_dan]

Thanks guys...quite enjoyable to work on.

[foakes]

Great job, Dan -- plus a perfect combo!

Mitchell did not make a lot of these compared to the 300, 302, 306 -- but Mitchell had the name due to their marketing compared to Ru-Mer, Centaure, and other quality HD spinners.

With this model, they eliminated to a great extent, the problem of gear stripping -- with the introduction of helical cut gears -- which D.A.M. and a couple of others -- had been doing for years already.

Penn came out with their "Z" series of spinners about the same time -- to compete in this emerging and developing angling market.  At least in the US, Penn quickly ended up dominating this market with a series of reels we know as the greenies, Z's, and SS.  Plus Penn was able to stay in business, be successful and profitable -- while producing reels made in the US -- again, dealer network, positioning and marketing.

The old dark blue and the number "4", of course denotes a high speed of 4:1, compared to the "3" meaning basically 3:1.  

These were also made simpler with less parts, as you described -- all important when fishing HD spinners in the salt, because while there is less to go wrong -- there is also the ease of simpler servicing on a regular basis.

A few of those parts are very tough to come by -- particularly the cranks, spools, bails, and gears.

That particular reel you have, is a pristine example -- after you were done with it.

Nice work...

Best,

Fred

[thorhammer]

Very nice! I have one and several 488's. The 402  / 406 are the two sizes down that are enjoyable to fish due to speed vs. 3-series, as Fred notes (nice stash, Fred!!!)

John

[CapeFish]

I had a 9ft Conolon that looked very similar to that rod, same reel seat and rod guides and cork handle, even colour. I must have bought it in the early 80s, great rod, I used it for carp fishing.

[coastal_dan]

Thanks for that added info Fred, and wow...you do have a lot of parts there (but we knew this already  ).

I need to get a Penn 704 to compare them, I had a few 710's and liked them.

Tight lines!