Reel Repair by Alan Tani

 While I've acquired something of a collection of vintage spinning reels over the years, my primary interest has always been in actually fishing them rather than collecting. While I've got a good assortment of them, a few makes and models definitely see the water more than others. These are mine, interested to hear what others are using, for what, and why.

Daiwa 1600c. I use this reel a ton, mostly for targeting big pike but it catches lots of walleye too. IMO all the higher end Daiwa's from this era are just super trouble free to use and simple to maintain. The C stands out for having the nicest line lay, and lacking the push button spool of the later reels its got bigger drag washers and a smidge more line capacity.

Mitchell 300. Pike, Walleye, trout... I regularly use these for just about everything. Another reel that is very easy to use and maintain, and somehow performs much better than it really should. Lighter than a lot of other reels of this size you can stick on on a relatively light rod without the balance getting out of whack. Cheap to buy and easy to find parts for.

Daiwa 130RL. I mostly use this reel for trout in open water, and pike/ walleye/ burbot through the ice. I think its only a little lighter than the 300, but physically its much smaller. Also smoother and with a much better drag. These can be found for dirt cheap and are the easyest reels to service that I've ever owned.

Some I like:

Mitchell 300 (and cousins, i.e. 300A, 300C, 400, etc.): There are probably stronger built reels, and these can be finicky as far as bails getting bent, bail trips getting out of alignment, and, oh, those shims!  But, you know what? I still enjoy using them probably more than any other of the reels I have.  In hand, they just provide more satisfaction to me than any other.  And, I have caught an awful lot of fish on them.

Shakespeare 2071 an 2081: for bigger fish, I trust these reels more than just about any other.  Steel pinion and main gears provide maximum strength, and their generally all metal construction does not disappoint. And that maroon color is phenomenal.

Abu Garcia 653 Cardinal:  There are dozens of reels from this vintage that all seem about the same features-wise, but I have always had good use from this reel for small to medium sized game.  Seems to cast super nice.  A bit of a soft spot in my heart for the rear drag, and with a ball bearing and an A/R set up ahead of the gear train, it does not feel like an el cheapo reel.

Some honorable mentions: Shimano MLX 300 (has always worked for me on medium-bigger fish); Berkley 426 (like a Timex watch--just keeps on ticking); Heddon 222 (nothing special, but I love the green color combo).

Frank

Haven't used one but I want a 706z or a bailess 704z. Throwing jigs from a jetty with either one of them would be great.

Penn 712,DQ 220,Zebco Cardinal 4.

I recently was gifted a Daiwa 1300C from a generous member
I haven't fished it yet but it spins for days.

Not meaning to hijack,but I am curious assuming 1600C is the next size up how many were in that series of Daiwa reels?

Also,
Which reels thru the years offered a PUM option?

What are the differences between the Mitchell 400 & 410?