How well does this model perform in actual use? I've been searching for more info on how it actually works, but not much luck. That bail mechanism looks a little complicated, and I'm guessing it might not be easy to find some of the parts for these.
If adjusted properly they work as intended, just fine. I can't get used to having the bail up to cast. It's really very simple, have the bail centered above the rotor, grab the line with your index finger, pull the bail back with your thumb to cock the bail and cast. It was meant to be a one handed operation. I'm sure a lot of people got used to it and loved it but I'm a creature of habit and I stop the rotor with the line roller up, but then I never could get used to a lot of Mitchell rotors rotating in the opposite direction, either.
I don't think parts for the 330 or 440 are much more difficult to find than any of their other models.
Might have 20 or so of these auto bail Mitchells (Otomatics) in 330 and the high speed Blue 440.
They have always worked well for me -- easy to cast plugs out of a boat quickly -- which covers a lot of water.
Most parts are available. Some of the bail mechanism parts, and of course the rotor are a little tougher to find.
Rest is all white bread Mitchell stuff.
Used one a lot from about 73 to 94 -- off and on. Just kept one ready to go on the boat rigged with a lure.
One handed is nice when doing two or three things at once -- and handling the boat.
Best,
Fred
I Have Some Of The 330-440 Models As Well. Like Fred & Tommy Said They Work Just Fine. I read An Early Ad That Said "Your Fingers Never Touch The Line", And Said To Hold The Bail With Your Index Finger, And Release It As You Would The Line....That's How I Fished It. Worked Well, But Did Not Add To My Fishing Style. Fished With Normal Bails For Many Years, Hard To Break Old Habits. For Some Reason They Are Very Popular in UK For Carp And Coarse Fish, And That Is Fishing With Bait, Go Figure. I Don't See An Advantage Over a Standard Bail Set-up. Might Be Fun To Fish One Just For Fun. They Have Lots Of Info OnThese Reels," The Mitchell Museum" Web Site, But I'm Not Sure If That Is Operating.
Barry
Gumpie - Not trying to be picky but they aren't used much in the UK, if at all, for carp or course fish in general. For carp there are specialist bait runner reels and big pit specials. For freshwater fishing modern smaller spinning reels tends to be the norm. I still have a 440 (somewhere?). I used it back in the 70's (iirc).
If I wanted a 'one handed cast' type spinning reel now I would probably opt for a closed face Abu 500 series (I still have a pair of original 501's).