Advice on Vintage Spinning Reels? 2024
basszilla reply :
Haven't fished in more than 30 years, but it's time to teach my daughter. We're landlocked, so all our fishing will be freshwater. Right now, I'm looking for a light to medium spinning reel that isn't Chinese and won't break the bank. After a trip to Academy this morning, I think that means I'll have to buy something used.
My first spinning reel as a kid was a Mitchell 300 that I bought around 1962. I see those on eBay at reasonable prices, but I remember it having a few quirks. I'm thinking something with newer technology might be better. Is there a reliable brand and model from the '80s onward that someone could recommend, maybe one that would sell used for $70 or less in good condition?
Any advice on this will be appreciated!
DaveT63 reply :
The Pflueger President gets a LOT of love on this forum. You can buy it new at Dick's or Walmart for about $60.
basszilla reply :
Where is it made?
kbeeb374 reply :
I have a mitchell 304 i could sell ya 
.. but yeah i really liked the president i had. The shimano sedona is another good one for around that price. i would wait for a 100 msrp reel to go on sale for under 70 myself. I think i saw a couple places have the higher end pfluegers on sale for cheap recently. hard to go wrong with pflueger or shimano.
Drew03cmc reply :
For quality, USA reels, you're out of luck for the most part. The older Garcia Mitchells did have quirks, but are rock solid. They were French made. That's a good place to start.
jsh32 reply :
I know https://www.favoriteusa.com/ has some reels starting at 19.99 and go up to 149.99. I personally have never used them but they say they are made in the US and the YouTube guys I watch like them from what I have watched.
If you were to get them I would love to see a solid review on the reel you picked and how it performed for you, I have been looking at some of their stuff since I heard the brands name from one of the YouTube guys videos, but don't know what to think since I know no where around here (or probably anywhere near me) has them in stock for me to actually hold before I buy.
I don't know where most brands are being made to be honest, but I do know that Daiwa, and Shimano are making some of the better reels right now and everyone I have seen on this site love Pflueger.
I totally understand wanting to buy "Made in the USA" products, but if you are looking for the best bang for your buck products, I would at least check those brands out.
Sam reply :
Basszilla, sorry to have to tell you that in today's fishing industry some of the top rods and reels are made overseas.
I understand how you feel. Neither my wife or I will purchase anything made in Vietnam.
Now, with that said, I like my Shimano's and Lew's reels and G. Loomis rods.
Even the Bass Pro Shops rods are of good quality, especially their Cranking Sticks. As for their reels, I don't know who manufacturers them. You will have to inquire about that from BPS. But I would surmise that they are made in the USA.
The overseas market also includes terminal tackle and line so if you purchase an American made rod and reel, check out where the hooks, line and sinkers are manufactured.
This is the way it is in all of the American fishing industry. Hopefully the guys can give you some good input on which products are 100% American made.
Good luck and Happy New Year!
WRB reply :
On 1/8/2017 at 11:10 AM, basszilla said:Where is it made?
Welcome to BR site.
Today no inexpensive spinning reels are made in the USA, they are all made off shore. Plfueger reels may be made by Dobo in Indonesia or possibly Okuma in Korea.
Several $50-$60 price spinning reels are available, take a look at TW under spinning reels.
Tom
roadwarrior reply :
On 1/8/2017 at 3:31 PM, Sam said:Even the Bass Pro Shops rods are of good quality, especially their Cranking Sticks. As for their reels, I don't know who manufacturers them. You will have to inquire about that from BPS. But I would surmise that they are made in the USA.
Definitely NOT.
We have some GREAT values that pop up on our Flea Market frequently.
BrackishBassin reply :
Unfortunately, if you want something made in the States, you're going to pay a premium. It's just not profitable for companies to make their products here anymore. I've run across a few local companies making their own spinning reels in the saltwater forums I frequent, but you're looking at a starting price of $500 for their cheapest reel.
Penn still makes two of their spinning reel in the States, but the more affordable one ($200) isn't really meant for freshwater stuff. The other one that's made here is even more ridiculous ($700).
"hamma" reply :
Try the new Kastking, they sponsor the site and are in New york
On 1/8/2017 at 9:53 PM, "hamma" said:Try the new Kastking, they sponsor the site and are in New york
Or "did" sponsor this site, but I dont see them over there anymore>>>
William Rossi reply :
Japan makes some of the highest quality reels. Shimano is a great choice.
fishnkamp reply :
basszilla Welcome to the forum. You did not mention a couple of things. First how old is your daughter? I am trying to see if a smaller reel is needed due to small hands or is she a young teenager? My wife has fished with me for almost 40 years and she definitely is a small frame with small hands. We use 7 Pflueger President reels. Some of them are over 10 years old. If you look at Academy they have the President 6930 for $59.99. That reel is as reliable as you can get for the money.
Now for a rod to match up with it. Academy has several brands of rods from All Star, Berkley, and even Ugly stick that run around $40. Let her decide based on what fits her well.
For something less expensive look for a Pflueger Trion Spinning Rod and Reel Combo at Bass Pro. It runs $60 for the combo.
basszilla reply :
Thanks to everyone who responded. Just to be clear, my preference isn't just an issue of quality. I simply don't buy Chinese products if there's any alternative. That's become increasingly difficult over the last few years, so I have to include used products now in making choices.
My daughter is 12, and I bought her a cheap starter set (spincast reel and rod) about two years ago. Now it's time for me to get a license and gear up so I won't just be teaching and watching her fish. Eventually she'll need better gear too, and it won't be Chinese, but that's probably a year away. About the rods, I did see some US stuff at Academy, and it's probably affordable. I don't think that will be as much of a problem as the reels.
Getting back to my original question, are there any non-Chinese models from the '80s up that you guys like? There are a lot of "near-mint" or new-in-box reels on eBay from that era, but there's no chance to handle them before the purchase. I was hoping someone here might still be using something like that and could make a recommendation. The only reels I was buying back then were saltwater, so my own experience isn't relevant for this.
Thanks again!
Jagg reply :
Aren't US Reel reels made in America?
basszilla reply :
On 1/9/2017 at 5:24 AM, Jagg said:Aren't US Reel reels made in America?
China.
Hulkster reply :
All Loomis rods and St. Croix higher end stuff (avid and up) are still made in the USA.
for reels, yes, not much made over here anymore.
Goose52 reply :
On 1/9/2017 at 4:22 AM, basszilla said:Getting back to my original question, are there any non-Chinese models from the '80s up that you guys like? There are a lot of "near-mint" or new-in-box reels on eBay from that era, but there's no chance to handle them before the purchase.
The Pflueger Presidents are made in China so scratch that. You might visit a shop that has Shimano Sahara spinning reels and check out the box for the country of origin. It's a good reel in the right price range.
If you are bound and determined to blast back to the 80s, take a look at the Shakespeare Sigma 2200ck models. They were a top-notch reel back then and were made in Japan. I fished with them from the 80s up through about 5 years ago or so before I moved over to mostly Pfluegers. One down-side of the Sigmas is that they don't have instant anti-reverse - instead having the old ratchet and dog mechanism. Another down-side is that they are starting to fetch "collector" prices instead of "fishing" prices - which means it would probably be better to find a current production reel...
I bought a few Sigmas over the years...
Sammies77 reply :
On 1/9/2017 at 12:24 AM, William Rossi said:Japan makes some of the highest quality reels. Shimano is a great choice.
Too bad the only freshwater spinning reel shimano usa offers that's made in Japan is the stella.
On 1/9/2017 at 6:23 AM, Goose52 said:
The Pflueger Presidents are made in China so scratch that. You might visit a shop that has Shimano Sahara spinning reels and check out the box for the country of origin. It's a good reel in the right price range.
If you are bound and determined to blast back to the 80s, take a look at the Shakespeare Sigma 2200ck models. They were a top-notch reel back then and were made in Japan. I fished with them from the 80s up through about 5 years ago or so before I moved over to mostly Pfluegers. One down-side of the Sigmas is that they don't have instant anti-reverse - instead having the old ratchet and dog mechanism. Another down-side is that they are starting to fetch "collector" prices instead of "fishing" prices - which means it would probably be better to find a current production reel...
I bought a few Sigmas over the years...
The sahara is made in Malaysia along with most of thier high and low end reels.
Those sigmas are sweet! I have a few ultra light models I still use.
On 1/9/2017 at 6:16 AM, Hulkster said:All Loomis rods and St. Croix higher end stuff (avid and up) are still made in the USA.
for reels, yes, not much made over here anymore.
The st.croix premier is still made in the usa.
fvogel67 reply :
Check out e-bay for some Shimano Sidestabs.Great reels.I have a few and still fish with them.
fvogel67 reply :
BobP reply :
Look, most of the higher quality reels these days are made in the Far East - Japan, Korea, Indonesia, and some in China. If you don't want to buy a reel assembled in that area of the world for social or political reasons, that's one thing. But if you are prejudiced for quality reasons, it's misplaced. Reels from any of the major companies like Shimano, Daiwa, Pfleuger, or Abu are designed and engineered in house and then their assembly may be contracted out to a company in another country or in a factory owned and operated by the reel company in another location. That's just how things are done these days. And quality is a heck of a lot better now than it was in the 70s and 80s.
Jagg reply :
Weren't Ardent reels made in the US at one time?
Raul reply :
I would rather purchase a Shimano or Daiwa made in Haiti than any Ardent even if made in my beloved Texas.
Sammies77 reply :
On 1/8/2017 at 3:11 PM, jsh32 said:I know https://www.favoriteusa.com/ has some reels starting at 19.99 and go up to 149.99. I personally have never used them but they say they are made in the US and the YouTube guys I watch like them from what I have watched.
I'm pretty sure those aren't made in the usa.
On 1/9/2017 at 10:48 AM, Jagg said:Weren't Ardent reels made in the US at one time?
Yes.
d-camarena reply :
Just get a shimano sienna and call it a day
KDW96 reply :
On 1/8/2017 at 3:11 PM, jsh32 said:I know https://www.favoriteusa.com/ has some reels starting at 19.99 and go up to 149.99. I personally have never used them but they say they are made in the US and the YouTube guys I watch like them from what I have watched.
If you were to get them I would love to see a solid review on the reel you picked and how it performed for you, I have been looking at some of their stuff since I heard the brands name from one of the YouTube guys videos, but don't know what to think since I know no where around here (or probably anywhere near me) has them in stock for me to actually hold before I buy.
I don't know where most brands are being made to be honest, but I do know that Daiwa, and Shimano are making some of the better reels right now and everyone I have seen on this site love Pflueger.
I totally understand wanting to buy "Made in the USA" products, but if you are looking for the best bang for your buck products, I would at least check those brands out.
I just emailed them, and asked if the rod and reels are made in the usa. I will post the response,if i get one 
lonnie g reply :
I applaud wanting to buy in usa. nothing wrong with that. some times we don't have a choice. sad but true. was talking with person at A.L. he said as far as spinning reels shimano hard to beat . casting reel felt like they may have fell behind a bit compared to others. most companies have web sites, nothing wrong with voicing concern about american jobs. I have always heard the squeaky wheel gets the grease! my father once told me a lot of people complain about a lot of things. instead of asking what can I do to help solve the problem. good luck in your search tight lines this year my friend lonnie
basszilla reply :
Thanks to everyone who replied. I considered all the suggestions, but in the end, I wasn't all that comfortable buying a model that I couldn't hold first. Another problem was that when I followed up on some of the make/model recommendations, it turned out they were made in various places. Some of the ones you guys bought that were made in Japan were also made in Malaysia or China around the same time. I guess it was the mid-'80s when companies began offshoring the work. Rather than spending the next two months searching through eBay auctions, I decided to just buy the old Mitchell 300. Getting one of those in decent shape without paying a collector's value is a challenge, but there are a few around. This will be more than good enough for Saturday morning fishing, and there are tons of parts out there in case it breaks. Now I just need to find a lightweight rod and maybe fill out a second tackle box. Thanks again for all the comments and advice!
Goose52 reply :
On 1/10/2017 at 10:16 PM, basszilla said:........... I decided to just buy the old Mitchell 300. Getting one of those in decent shape without paying a collector's value is a challenge, but there are a few around. This will be more than good enough for Saturday morning fishing, and there are tons of parts out there in case it breaks.
To each his own...ya gotta use the gear that you're comfortable with (for whatever reason)...
I still occasionally fish a made-in-France Mitchell 408 that I've now owned for 50 years. It works, is smooth, and gets the job done. BUT, the aggravating thing about using these early Mitchells (for those of us accustomed to using modern spinning reels) is the lack of manual bail close. Unless you want to try to pry out the little bolt that holds the bail open...the only way to close the bail is to crank the handle. This induces some additional unnecessary line twist and is a general pain in the butt. My muscle memory is to reach up and manually close the bait at the end of the cast and that doesn't work for the old Mitchells. Otherwise, they are nifty reels...
The Bassman reply :
On 1/11/2017 at 4:48 AM, Goose52 said:
To each his own...ya gotta use the gear that you're comfortable with (for whatever reason)...
I still occasionally fish a made-in-France Mitchell 408 that I've now owned for 50 years. It works, is smooth, and gets the job done. BUT, the aggravating thing about using these early Mitchells (for those of us accustomed to using modern spinning reels) is the lack of manual bail close. Unless you want to try to pry out the little bolt that holds the bail open...the only way to close the bail is to crank the handle. This induces some additional unnecessary line twist and is a general pain in the butt. My muscle memory is to reach up and manually close the bait at the end of the cast and that doesn't work for the old Mitchells. Otherwise, they are nifty reels...
Bail springs broke pretty regularly, too.
basszilla reply :
C'mon guys, no reason to bash 'em. I know about the bail, and I wish it had rear drag adjust, too. Never had a problem with the spring on mine, but I can see online it's a common failure. Maybe that's because they're 60 years old now. Anyway, the springs are cheap, and the Mitchells are easy to maintain and fix. One thing's for sure - none of these issues will keep me from catching fish. 
Incidentally, is there a comprehensive list anywhere of all the Mitchell model numbers and their descriptions (saltwater, fast retrieve, commemorative, etc.)? I'm not intending to take up reel collecting as another hobby, but maybe there's a model I'd like better than the 300. Can't seem to find all of them in one place...
nstec reply :
On 1/8/2017 at 3:31 PM, Sam said:Even the Bass Pro Shops rods are of good quality, especially their Cranking Sticks. As for their reels, I don't know who manufacturers them. You will have to inquire about that from BPS. But I would surmise that they are made in the USA.
As far as I can tell, the BPS reels are almost definitely made in the same plant as Lew's reels (so not the USA).
Goose52 reply :
On 1/11/2017 at 8:41 AM, basszilla said:Incidentally, is there a comprehensive list anywhere of all the Mitchell model numbers and their descriptions (saltwater, fast retrieve, commemorative, etc.)? I'm not intending to take up reel collecting as another hobby, but maybe there's a model I'd like better than the 300. Can't seem to find all of them in one place...
I had one site bookmarked that was pretty good and when I just launched the link my AV program identified it as containing malware so I bailed out. (It was Mitchellreelmuseum.com). Don't have anything else bookmarked so you might want to Google it...
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