Thread: Just got my first 306...

Never dabbled in the vintage reels before but I had wanted one for some time. Saw one for $30 the other day on my way home from Destin and I couldn't pass it up. Reel is in great condition with no signs of being wore down. I dis-assembled much of it, whiping away old grease and applying new. slapped on some 17lb P-line and now I'm wondering about customizing.

What are the pros and cons of putting on a manuel pick-up...or any other customizing for that matter.

I like the manual I have on mine, but they are kind of hard to find. Got mine from "squidder" , I think he is still on panhandle. Mine is also decked out with new drag washers, and the high speed handle. Its a sweet reel after everything.

Definitely install a manual pick up. The bail and rollers on vintage Mitchells are not very good IMO and the only advantage they have over a PUM on a 306 is that it seems better balanced when reeling. Neither will compare to modern reels in terms of balance, but I often wonder if that out of balance feel isn't part of the mystique that draws many to like fishing with antique reels here.

Replacing the Planamatic level wind gears with a crosswind cam is another popular modification. I understand the merits and pitfalls of both, but I haven't fished with a crosswind converted Mitchell enough to formulate an opinion. My first spinning reel was a 408 with Planamatic gears. It worked fine except it tended to bunch the line to the center of the spool and somewhat sparsely on the top and bottom of the spool. The crosswind cam conversion seems to be a popular modification the Mitchell faithful seem to point towards as must have mod. Having stated that I have little experience with the crosswinds I will defer to what others say you need. However I would characterize it a want instead of a need and wouldn't let it bother me if I couldn't get one right away. I would fish the reel with the Planamatic until the want became a need or at least an overwhelming desire.

Also if I was you, I'd take at least half the mono you spooled up with and replace it with braid underneath.

Thanks for the advice...Hope I didn't bite off more than I can chew with this thing. My spare time/project time is already maxed out as far as the wife is concerned ;D

that's why when I got one(both the 306 and 302) they had all the mod's already on them from the same guy.....and at a great price too.
manual,crosswind,speed handle, 100 drag washers....just wish i had more confidence to fish a manual :boohoo: