I have an open ended question.....what would you spool a Mitchell 302 with, figuring I will be throwing 1-2 oz lures on a 8' rod, for salmon and stripers here in the Sacramento Delta....salmon running about 15 lbs and stripers about 8 lbs....I'm thinking 15 lb mono...what are your thoughts.....
(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj632/Fubarciw/100_7554.jpg)
I usually fill my 402 (same reel, just high-speed) with 20 or 25 for offshore fishing, but 15 sounds right for your lure weights. Have you ever test-driven a 306/406? They're great reels too, strong, and just a bit smaller. :)
~A~
I have several 302's and 306's (As Aiala pointed out) that I use on 9' and 10' sticks for stripers in the size you indicate; all have 15lb mono and a shock leader...plenty adequate. My recco is to look at the tutorial on AT to service the drags; I THINK we use Beachmaster drags for the 302 (greased) which will be a nice upgrade from the 40 yo stock ones. If you are plugging, highly recommend the longer 402 coffee grinder handle over stock 302 torpedo. JMO
J
Thanks for the input....just so happens I have a spool of 15 lb on the shelf...the 302 and 300 and a throw back to fishing with my dad....we used both types extensively and I caught my first salmon on a 300 with 10 lb test on the Smith River....I look forward to using this 302 and have been using a couple 300's for a while....I have always loved the sound they make....Bill
302s & 402s are really strong reels --
Side-plates attach to both sides through frame taps -- makes for easier access and a stronger base frame -- with a better center-line drive train.
Yours looks pretty good, Bill. Most I see, if used -- have a fair amount of salt, boat, or pier rash, or way too much grease inside.
Because Mitchell put that big red grease access port on the side that you can open with a nickel -- many folks think you can just pump it full of axle grease -- then let the grease do the service for you -- doesn't work that way.
Extra greasing helps on all interior surfaces, mating edges before assembly, and every screw when assembling -- then a light wash down with fresh water.
Oil on all of the exterior moving parts like the bail trip lever and crank knob, etc..
I know you use these primarily in fresh or semi fresh water -- but as a rule most folks use these in the salt.
Keep them cleaned out completely, and serviced every year-- and your kid will use them.
Cal's greased CFs are the best drags for these.
Good surf casting reels also.
Best,
Fred
Quote from: thorhammer on October 19, 2015, 03:06:51 PM
If you are plugging, highly recommend the longer 402 coffee grinder handle over stock 302 torpedo.
Agreed! I did exactly that, not just for the extra-long shank, but also because I don't much care for the stock round 402 knob. I got this, and it works like a charm: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-NOS-Garcia-Mitchell-402-486-496-High-Speed-Fishing-Reel-Handle-w-long-shank-/121506856956?hash=item1c4a5f7ffc:m:mHB82_hry2gm9JFh8oBHEVw
Good luck fishing! ;)
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A~
You ought to be able to cast that well with some supple mono in the 15lb test range.
I'm keeping my eyes open for a 402 or 406, would like to try one out on a 9.5' glass rod I've restored. Old school for sure!
Quote from: tristan on November 21, 2015, 06:57:17 PM
I'm keeping my eyes open for a 402 or 406, would like to try one out on a 9.5' glass rod I've restored. Old school for sure!
I absolutely love these superb venerable classics... either one would match up perfectly with your old-school rod! ;)
(http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah207/ladyaialaAiala/P1000682_zpsooazf9xi.jpg)
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A~
Nice reels, well attired in Ande Premium pink! Classic for sure!
Quote from: Aiala on November 25, 2015, 04:18:25 PM
Quote from: tristan on November 21, 2015, 06:57:17 PM
I'm keeping my eyes open for a 402 or 406, would like to try one out on a 9.5' glass rod I've restored. Old school for sure!
I absolutely love these superb venerable classics... either one would match up perfectly with your old-school rod! ;)
(http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah207/ladyaialaAiala/P1000682_zpsooazf9xi.jpg)
~A~
Alia, where do you get all the wonderful toys?? lol
Those are a couple beauties. Almost too pretty to fish. Almost. :)
The 402 is on the left, and is that a 406 on the right?
I've got a Mitchell kinda-clone finished, a "Game Fisher 8500", made by Olympic I believe which is standing in till the real thing comes along. Not a bad reel in it's own right, just obscure and rarely seen.
Quote from: tristan on November 27, 2015, 06:21:26 PM
Aiala, where do you get all the wonderful toys?? lol
Those are a couple beauties. Almost too pretty to fish. Almost. :)
The 402 is on the left, and is that a 406 on the right?
I've got a Mitchell kinda-clone finished, a "Game Fisher 8500", made by Olympic I believe which is standing in till the real thing comes along. Not a bad reel in its own right, just obscure and rarely seen.
Tristan, I mostly buy used reels on eBay. (I've set up automatic e-mail notices for when something desirable comes along, via "Saved Searches".) Then, to repair/bling them up, I purchase aftermarket gear from Scott's, Tiburon, Berinson, and of course all of the pro AT tacklemasters. :)
Yes, my 402 is on the left, 406 on the right. They both show up on eBay fairly often, so you shouldn't have a problem acquiring one. Good luck! ;)
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A~
Quote from: Aiala on October 19, 2015, 05:06:32 PM
Quote from: thorhammer on October 19, 2015, 03:06:51 PM
If you are plugging, highly recommend the longer 402 coffee grinder handle over stock 302 torpedo.
Agreed! I did exactly that, not just for the extra-long shank, but also because I don't much care for the stock round 402 knob. I got this, and it works like a charm: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-NOS-Garcia-Mitchell-402-486-496-High-Speed-Fishing-Reel-Handle-w-long-shank-/121506856956?hash=item1c4a5f7ffc:m:mHB82_hry2gm9JFh8oBHEVw
Good luck fishing! ;
Aiala will this handle fit the 306?
Quote from: fishhawk on December 16, 2015, 07:40:18 PMAiala, will this handle fit the 306?
Fishhawk, no, it won't. Maybe one of these? :)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-New-Old-Stock-Garcia-Mitchell-302-306-306A-Fishing-Reel-Handle-81989-NOS-/371013669783?hash=item5662235397:g:klUAAOxy0NtTDlbj
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-New-GARCIA-HANDLE-COMPLETE-W-ROUND-KNOB-Washer-302-402-306-406-Chrome-/151898098964?hash=item235dd50d14:g:yrIAAOSw5VFWK60k
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-GARCIA-MITCHELL-SPINNING-REEL-PART-81989-302-306-Handle-/351604689870?hash=item51dd45cbce:g:GRcAAOSwgjhWbx6m
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A~
Thanx Aiala! Yea. I think I would like a coffee grinder handle on my 306 but not sure if they would fit, description doesnt say anything about it. Reckon I'll ask the seller.
So I have 3 or 4 or these reels on my bench. I cleaned off all of the caked on grease and now the reels run rough, but the anti-reverse now works. I will need to practice the art of shimming to keep the gears in alignment due to wear and lack of caked on hard or sticky grease. Simple reels but this is providing me the greatest challenge. ARG
Quote from: Bryan Young on December 17, 2015, 04:25:18 AM
So I have 3 or 4 or these reels on my bench. I cleaned off all of the caked on grease and now the reels run rough, but the anti-reverse now works. I will need to practice the art of shimming to keep the gears in alignment due to wear and lack of caked on hard or sticky grease. Simple reels but this is providing me the greatest challenge. ARG
Bryan I have many gear sets if you need some. At least 15lbs worth..
Quote from: fishhawk on December 16, 2015, 11:54:57 PM
Thanx Aiala! Yea. I think I would like a coffee grinder handle on my 306 but not sure if they would fit, description doesnt say anything about it. Reckon I'll ask the seller.
i will check and advise. 99% certain the 302 / 402 handles fit 306 / 406 because I'm pretty sure i switched one when I bought coffee grinder for 402 and moved the longer handle down to the 306.
These larger Mitchells are not set up to shim like the 300s are.
The gears are a softer metal than Penns or Quicks -- both the mains and pinions
So, when you do a good job on cleaning one of these old soldiers up -- what is generally left are clean, but worn gears.
Depending on your client -- you can either grease them liberally -- live with the uneven meshing -- or like Keith sez -- replace the gears.
This is true on the 306, 307, 302, 303, 402, 403, 386, 486, and others.
Shimming might help -- but it will generally get in the way of proper long-term operation -- and is not a preferred fix -- and you are right, Bryan -- it is an effort in futility. If you are not there yet -- you might be very soon. Better just to fix it, and move on.
JMO.
Best,
Fred
thanx hammer!
Thanks Keith and Fred. What a shame.... Let me check with my customer to see if they will be shelved or fished.