Mitchell Spinning Reels
5 Tips For Lake Okeechobee Crappie Fishing
Lake Okeechobee, or the 'Big O' is the second largest freshwater lake completely within the United States (right after Lake Michigan). It covers 730 square miles, and is the headwaters of the Everglades. It is a shallow natural lake formed by the receding ocean around 6000 years ago. It has an average depth of 9 feet, and the depth varies from 1 foot to 13 feet. It is a limestone basin. It has abundant cover, structure, and close to ideal year-round weather, making it a haven for crappie. In fact, it is estimated that Lake Okeechobee has the densest crappie population of any US lake, including Lake Weiss.
When I fish for crappie in Lake Okeechobee, I usually a double-rig (also known as a fish-finder rig). It evolved from commercial Longliner fishermen in their search for Bluefin Tuna. Scaled down, it is a very efficient rig for crappie. Simply rig two # 4 Aberdeen hooks on dropper loops, 12"-18" apart, over a 1/8 oz. bell sinker, or several split shots. You can fish this under a slip-bobber, or anywhere from the bottom up, tight-lining (or vertical fishing, as it is sometimes called).
You can also omit the sinker and hooks and use two 1/16 oz. marabou jigs under a slip-bobber. This is deadly for crappie in heavy cover. Just use a 9 to 12 foot crappie pole, and drop the rig straight down, into cover. It is not uncommon to hook two crappie at a time with one of these rigs. I usually tie a white or yellow jig on above a chartreuse jig. Another trick is to omit the bobber, and tie a small crank-bait on under the jig. It gives the appearance of a small minnow chasing an even smaller one, an irresistible situation for any predator fish.
There is one method I use that is particularly well suited for Lake Okeechobee. It is called 'Flippin'. It is very easy to do, and deadly in heavy cover. You need a 9 to 12 foot Crappie Pole. I prefer my trusty B & M Buck's Crappie Classic. Any light spinning, or spincast reel will do, as long as it is filled with 6 pound Trilene. I've found Zebco Trigger-Spins, and Johnson reels to be particularly suited to this type of fishing. Most light spinning reels are fine. I use my old Mitchell 300 for this all the time.
Now, just attach a 1/8 oz. marabou jig, or small Sassy Shad, or similar jig. Measure your line to the length of the rod by pulling the line out until it reaches your wrist, them engage the anti-reverse, or close the bail. To present the jig, just use a pendulum-type motion and 'swing' the jig close by your body, out to where the cover is. When the jig gets where you want, drop your rod tip, and allow the jig to slowly 'swim' back to you as it sinks. If you don't get a hit, repeat as necessary.
Which size Mitchell spinning reel is best for Bass?
I usually fish with light Texas rigged worms & grub/jig head combinations for bass. I’d like something that would handle 6lb and 8lb mono quite nicely. Would the Mitchell 300XE or the Mitchell 308XE be the best choice?
What I meant was, which size would be better in my situation, the 300XE or 308XE?
Need a new Spinning Reel?
I am fairly new to fishing, so I am not looking to spend a lot, but I need a new Spinning Reel. I am probably looking to spend $60 or less.
I have seen a few that look good, so if you have an opinions on the ones listed below, or any others, please let me know.
Bass Pro Shops MegaCast Spinning Reel
Mitchell 300Xe Spinning Reel
Pflueger President Spinning Reel
Shimano Spirex RG Rear Drag Spinning Reel
spinning reel problem…help!?
i have a mitchell avocet II spinning reel and today i tred clicking the bail back to cast out and it didnt click, i noticed that a little L shaped piece was sticking out of the ” bail assembly” i think its called ( the part where the line goes on) right by the screw hole. so i unscrewed it and now i cant get it to work. i see where the L shaped thing goes into place but i cant get it back into there. Please help me out if you understand what im talking about, its kinda hard to explain
Which spinning reel, PFlueger President, Shimano Sedona, Shimano Spirex, or Diawa Exceler?
after blowing up my Mitchell Avocett II reel on a sturgeon on the menomenee river, I decided to up the cost of my reels, just don’t know which one would last the longest, the main things I will be useing the reel for is pike, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass. So which one, your guys call?
Jeff’s right… they’re all cheap reels except for the Puh-flooger President which still isn’t that great, but pretty much a cut above the rest you listed. Either go for El Presidente or stop being cheap and cough up an extra thirty-five dollars for a better quality Shimano Symetre.
the 300. it will handle 6, 8 or even 10 nicely. an excellent choice.
l use mitchells for most of my spin fishing. the majority are 30 years old or more.
Sound’s like somethings loose. This is a tough fix, so take it to a bait and tackle shop where they may be able to replace the bail assembly. The bail trigger is what opens the bail, so if that is not clicking, it won’t open up.
How much does a vintage Mitchell 308 spinning reel weigh?
I think I’d like one of these for ultralight fishing. Most modern reels seem too cheaply made, but I know these old Mitchells are solid.
Don’t know the appoximity, thinkin’ 9 1/2 oz (don’t quote me now
) Depends on what your referrin’ to as Ultra-Light ie., size of rod, line etc., but I’m thinkin’ you’ll be alright with the 308. The old metal bodies are still “music to my ears” and am glad ta’ see manufacturers turnin’ the clocks back to them. Don’t get me wrong the reels of ta’day are of great quality, but I personally favor the “old stuff”. Best place ta’ locate one (if ya’ haven’t already) would be on ebay. Link below be just for that. Good luck and am sure others on Answers can steer ya’ right on their exact weight 
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http://search.ebay.com/308-spinning-reels_W0QQfkrZ1QQfnuZ1QQfsooZ2QQfsopZ32
Have got some Garcia Mitchell bait-castin’ reels, that be doin’ just as good, if not better, then the day I bought them ~ be forty years now
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From the 4 reels you listed I would go with the Pflueger President. A very nice reel for the money, smooth operation and well balanced. It’s distributed by Pure Fishing so it is well backed up for any problems that may come up.
The Mitchell 300XE would be ok, but putting it and the Pflueger side by side the Pflueger just feels better. The Mitchell reels are not the same as they were in the past. They have been completely re-designed and carry the name only. They are also handled by Pure Fishing so warranty is no issue with them either.
The reel that I would stay far away from is the Shimano Spirex, both the front drag model and especially the rear drag. I fish Shimano reels, but not this one. They just don’t have a good feel and the double handle is a pain in the ass. The rear drag has had problems and I don’t know if they have resolved them. I don’t recommend any rear drag reel, no one has made a good one. One of the shops that I do work for dropped these reels because of customer complaints.
I don’t know anything about the Bass Pro line so can’t say anything good or bad about them. Warranty might be a problem having to deal only with Bass Pro. All the others have wider distribution and easier to find parts and repair shops if needed.