New to this forum, not to fishing. Got interested in vintage reels purely by accident only a few weeks ago. Being a long time antique firearms enthusiast I appreciate the old-school craftmanship on any mechanical device, so long story short... I picked up a box full of miscellaneous junk at a local thrift store, you know those plastic tubs filled with all kinds of semi-related to each other and often broken items. This one had a bunch of fishing gear, a few lures, usual Chinese-made stuff. Since I could see through the plastic, a few items attracted my attention. A couple of old-time looking reels and a few old lures. Paid my $9.95 and used my 20% discount coupon, so it was even cheaper. About half of the items went straight into the trash can. But there were two reels that I was after. One was a Mitchell 300 and the the other one was really cool-looking Penn Long Beach DeLux. Did a bit of research on the Penn and found out that it was a pretty rare one, made in 1938. So, not having any use for the Penn, I sold it for the amount that very surprised me to put it mildly. The 300 is a type of a reel I could use as I mostly fish for trout in a smaller creeks and rivers. I took it apart, cleaned it and it works well enough for actual field use. It sort of reminds me of driving an old truck with manual tranny. The gear noise alone is very unique. After reading a few threads on this fine forum, I've decided to upgrade to the 308 or 408 Model. Am I on the right path? Thank you in advance and apologize for the longer than intended post.
Hi.
Welcome! Don't think there's a right path repairing and using old fishing gear, but for many it's an enjoyable path.
Welcome aboard!
Best, Fred
Thank you, guys. I want to get into using vintage setup that is functional, but also looks good. Out of all the smaller reels I've checked out, I like the looks of a Mitchell 308/408 model the best. Like I mentioned, I have no meaningful personal experience in this field except for the 300 Model. Another thing which might be a bit unusual is I want to pair it up with a short telescopic rod of the same vintage (late '50s-early '60s). Nothing longer that 5 feet. What are the choices out there?
There are some very high quality ultralight vintage reels out there from the 60's thru the late 70's. These I consider to be the "golden age" of spinning reels.
These would include the Mitchell 308/408, Penn 716, 716Z, 714, 714Z,
D-A-M Quick 265, 110, 110N, 1000, 1001, ABU/ZEBCO Cardinal 3, and the Daiwa 500C, 700C, 1000C, GS-1, Mini-Mite.
My recommendation would be if going to a 308/408 —- to get the 408 in dark blue. It is a high-speed reel with much stronger gears than a 308.
I would also not consider a telescoping rod, since they are more prone to issues, plus you lose the "solid feel and flex" necessary when fishing ultralight gear.
My choice would be a Fenwick, Garcia Conolon, or Eagle Claw in the 5' size, in fiberglass, and if looking for easier transport —- go with a 2-piece 5' or 5'3" rod —- and get a case for it with a soft sock.
This would keep everything vintage in the correct era, plus it would be a lifetime combo that would not break the bank.
Best, Fred
Quote from: morlock on February 15, 2026, 02:11:54 AMI want to pair it up with a short telescopic rod of the same vintage (late '50s-early '60s). Nothing longer that 5 feet. What are the choices out there?
I don't recall any serious telescoping rods from the '60-70's. Maybe a St.Croix bream buster, but not much else.
Welcome from the SoCal Inland Empire! You are in the right place to learn about how to maintain and enjoy classic reels and tackle. Any questions you have someone here will probably have the experience to give you a solid answer. - john
Quote from: foakes on February 15, 2026, 05:05:48 AMThere are some very high quality ultralight vintage reels out there from the 60's thru the late 70's. These I consider to be the "golden age" of spinning reels.
These would include the Mitchell 308/408, Penn 716, 716Z, 714, 714Z,
D-A-M Quick 265, 110, 110N, 1000, 1001, ABU/ZEBCO Cardinal 3, and the Daiwa 500C, 700C, 1000C, GS-1, Mini-Mite.
My recommendation would be if going to a 308/408 —- to get the 408 in dark blue. It is a high-speed reel with much stronger gears than a 308.
I would also not consider a telescoping rod, since they are more prone to issues, plus you lose the "solid feel and flex" necessary when fishing ultralight gear.
My choice would be a Fenwick, Garcia Conolon, or Eagle Claw in the 5' size, in fiberglass, and if looking for easier transport —- go with a 2-piece 5' or 5'3" rod —- and get a case for it with a soft sock.
This would keep everything vintage in the correct era, plus it would be a lifetime combo that would not break the bank.
Best, Fred
Great info, Fred, thank you very much! That's exactly what I was looking for. I will check all those reels out. Yes, I do realize that telescopic rods have their drawbacks, but the type of fishing I do often requires some serious bushwhacking and I found that something portable works best. I've been using Eagle Claw telescopic for a long time and it never let me down as of yet. I catch mainly small to medium size trout, nothing more than a 12-14 inches usually, but managed to hook and land a small salmon a couple of times. I prefer something that is no longer than 5 feet simply because of the rough terrain and thick brush often times restricts casting with anything longer than that.
Thanks again, guys. I am glad I found this forum. Very easy to use and navigate through. Like I said, this is all relatively new thing to me. I've fished almost my entire life with everything from gill nets to trotlines and underwater spear guns, but an idea to get into the vintage gear came to me rather unexpectedly, even though I've been into Lugers, Mausers and pretty much all pre-WW2 firearms for a long time. I do most of my fishing on the West side of the Cascade mountains with a few coastal rivers now and then, but one of the most unique places I've ever fished was the Gila river, down in southern New Mexico. You can catch catfish, perch, bass and trout all in the same river. And I must say, I've never caught or had a better tasting catfish anywhere else. That place is remote and hard to get to, but very well worth it.
Welcome Morlock!
I have a Long Beach Deluxe. Yeah, a kinda rare older Penn, probably a '36. Have several M.G.-300's; version 3, version 4 or 5 and a '74(version 7?). Excessive gear noise can sometimes be reduced with shim washers in several places. Best place I've found to start is the brass pinion.
Welcome Morlock!
Wealth of information here.
Absolutely! I am starting to learn a great deal about these vintage micro reels. So, I did look up all the ones Fred had on his list and I really liked the D.A.M lineup. I especially like the looks of the D.A.M junior. Any scoop on that one?
welcome!!!
Glad to have you on board. Dominick, San Mateo, CA
Welcome from Salem va,,,,, ;D
Quote from: morlock on February 15, 2026, 04:08:00 PMAbsolutely! I am starting to learn a great deal about these vintage micro reels. So, I did look up all the ones Fred had on his list and I really liked the D.A.M lineup. I especially like the looks of the D.A.M junior. Any scoop on that one?
Not telling you what you ought to do —- but the DQ lineup, Penn Series, and Cardinal 3 reels are possibly twice the quality reels of the Mitchell 308/408 —- although the 408 is very good.
As far as the DQ reels go —- the Junior 240 or 245 are a fairly weak reel compared to the 265, 110, 110N, 1000, & 1001. The Juniors were made at a lower price point to compete with the dozens of other reel makers of the time that were turning out lesser quality spinners for less $$$.
Hard to beat a DQ 265 Microlite.
The reasons are many, but primarily the steel "worm-drive coupled with a phosphor cut bronze main gear and steel crank shafts" are lifetime quality and nearly indestructible. They also have oversized main ball bearings. The gears and worm-drive is double or triple supported within a metal frame —- and there is no side-lateral offset pressure on the drivetrain. It is exactly center-balanced and smooth. The German engineers never made excuses —- they only made top quality. No shortcuts. Tolerances are within half a Mil, or exact —- and even after 50-60 years of use, there is no slop or degradation of original tolerances.
The Penns and the Cardinal 3 mentioned also have this worm-drive system. It is bulletproof.
Best, Fred
Fred, that's exactly what I want, for you to tell me what to do. How else would I learn? The information you've given me so far is priceless, I really mean it! I've already read a bunch of your posts on different reels and I am mightily impressed with the depth of your knowledge on this subject. So, after looking at all available options, I narrowed it down to two. Mitchell 408 and DQ 265 Microlite. I already learned a good deal on the Mitchell sub-variants and will be aiming for the earliest model. What about the 265? Anything interesting going on from generational standpoint? The looks are important to me and as strange as it might sound, I am not a big fan of skeleton-type cranks. It has to be solid and round, that's what attracted me to the vintage Mitchells in the first place. The retro look is a must. Also, the less plastic, the better. Thanks again!
Another interesting reel I came across is an Italian-made Alcedo Micron M498. Is it any good?
Greetings, from Minnesota. Looks like you're hooked.
Frank
Yes, sir... I've been contemplating another hobby to add to the few I have already. I also work on vintage outboards, anything pre-1960 and 10HP or less.
Quote from: morlock on Today at 01:31:07 AMAnother interesting reel I came across is an Italian-made Alcedo Micron M498. Is it any good?
Yes, they are excellent reels, just a little finicky. And parts are unavailable mostly, or very, very expensive.
Worm drive, solid little reels.
However, it is like using a vintage shotgun —- or harping back to your youth and buying an old VW camper van like the one you couldn't afford when you were 18. The nostalgia and memories are great —- but the reality is that when you want to take the VW out for a weekend, now that you can afford one —- you have to work on it for 2 days every time you take it out —- then hold your breath that you will get back.
Here are a few 1960 Microlites built from all new parts inside and out. Not repaints —- all new.
Best, Fred
Quote from: foakes on Today at 02:42:45 AMQuote from: morlock on Today at 01:31:07 AMAnother interesting reel I came across is an Italian-made Alcedo Micron M498. Is it any good?
Yes, they are excellent reels, just a little finicky. And parts are unavailable mostly, or very, very expensive.
Worm drive, solid little reels.
However, it is like using a vintage shotgun —- or harping back to your youth and buying an old VW camper van like the one you couldn't afford when you were 18. The nostalgia and memories are great —- but the reality is that when you want to take the VW out for a weekend, now that you can afford one —- you have to work on it for 2 days every time you take it out —- then hold your breath that you will get back.
Here are a few 1960 Microlites built from all new parts inside and out. Not repaints —- all new.
Best, Fred
You know, I am starting to get really excited just from looking at your photos, Fred. You are absolutely correct about that "special" feeling from using vintage equipment be it a shotgun or fishing reel. Both can produce a fine meal at the end of a day, but with a lot more class and style.