Anyone still using their older equipment? 2024

DaveT63 reply :

As a boy, I grew up using an old Mitchell 300 reel. I loved that thing. I learned how to take it apart and clean and take care of it, and it took care of me by always working when I needed it to.

Well, now I've grown up, moved up, got some new Shimano CI4s and Curados, and newer/better rods to boot. But I came across an older Mitchell 300A, still made in France, at a yard sale a little while back, and it just screamed for me to take it home, so I did.

I'm planning on cleaning it all up and putting it back into service along with my newer stuff. I know it will feel different using it, but it will bring back some fishing memories from the past, I'm sure.

So, like the title asks, anybody else use the old stuff still?

Thanks,

DAve

flippin and pitchin reply :

I still use my Lews Speed Spools occasionally when crankin. Even after 30 years, these reels still work great but parts are no longer available. Once a year my buddy who got me into bass fishing and I fish our old stuff on a nostalgia day. It's fun. I saw my first bass boat the other day in some guy's yard. It was covered with blackberry vines and garbage. What a shame. I have the best memories from that boat. :'(

tholmes reply :

You bet!

A large portion of my tackle is "older stuff". Among my frequently used reels are a Shakespeare President II Model 1980, a Ryobi AD 4000V, and two old Ambassadeurs, a 4600C and a ProMax 3600. There's also an old Quantum and a Shimano Bantam Mag 100 that both need a little work, if I can still find parts.

Regular cleaning and maintenance has kept some of these reels working smoothly for over 30 years.

Tom

roadwarrior reply :

No, but I keep some for display.

It's like a restored Model T. Great for a short

Sunday drive, but not for a cross-country trip

or even everyday use.

8-)

Grey Wolf reply :

AHHHHHHHHHH the memories.

Pantera61 reply :

My friend still uses his Ambassadeur 5500C from 35 years ago.

shackman reply :

I still have 5 of the Chronarch 100A's that I have had for 10+ yrs that will use on occasion but after upgrading to Cores/07 Metanium MG's /Cumaras and Powells,it is hard to just carry these fishing anymore..I just keep em for memories I guess.

Raul reply :

Yup, I still use my old gear ( rods and reels ) on a regular basis.

bear7625 reply :

I have a Ambassedeur 5000 that I got in 1965 and still works great. I don't use it as much, but have not retired it yet. I have passed down some old Mitchell reels to my kids and some of them are still in use. 8-)

Goose52 reply :

I have a Garcia-Mitchell 408 reel with matching Garcia Conolon fiberglas rod that I bought new around 1966 that I still use for light-power spinning purposes. I have 6 (and 3 more in reserve) mid-80s vintage Shakespeare Sigma 2200 spinning reels that are still in service. I have a mid-80s vintage Shimano B-Mag BC reel and Shakespeare BC rod that I use as my "trolling rig" (cause I won't mind so much if I drop it overboard ;D). All that gear is still in constant use. I still have my first spinning reel from the late '50s/early '60s that I take out about once a year - catch a fish on it, then put it away. I just dug out my Shakespeare "Wonderod" flyrod that hasn't been used since at least 1967 and am getting ready to put that back in service.

The rest of my stuff is recent vintage...

b.Lee reply :

I still use Ambassadeurs from the 80's on my swimbait rods.

Stasher1 reply :

I don't keep gear very long, so for the most part my "older" gear is no more than 3 years old. The only exceptions are a couple vintage fly reels, but they were bought recently. They have been well used, but not by me.

firefightn15 reply :

Just dug out my "pet" 2500c and am having the hood popped for some engine work. Then I am going to throw it on a 6'6" mxf Compre....can't wait. 8-)

J Francho reply :

Most of my "older gear" has either broken, or been retired. I have a couple of pre IPC Avids that were demos, built in 2000. One has a cracked reel seat, and I refuse to send it in under Gold Star Service because I know I'm not getting the same rod back, LOL. I like the one I got too much. I still have a couple Daiwas from the late 80s, early 90s that are usable, but they just sit. My son still uses an old Zebco 33 I held onto.

guitarkid reply :

My cranking set up is an old Wuantum 1310 MG mounted on a Quantum Heat rod. Speaking of which does anybody know anything about those rods?

-gk

bass or bass ? reply :

Back in 1965 I wanted a Mitchell 300 but didn't have the money. The salesman at the tackle store tole me that the SpinmasterII by South Bend was just as good for less money , so I bought it. I still use it on every fishing trip, it's my designated channel cat reel now.

Beastie Bass reply :

I use my old bassin gear for catfishin' or sometimes I just let the stripers in the Ohio take care of them for me! ;D Then I have an excuse to go shopping with a monkey on my back.

NBR reply :

I have several bait casters that are over 50 sitting on a shelf in well deserved retirement. I don't have a spinning reel that I use that is less than 25 and except for 2 bait casters that are probably 3 to 5 years old all the rest are at least 10 and several in the 25 year age bracket. They all work just fine.

titelines reply :

I have 2 Mitchell 300's that are used every time out, the oldest was purchased in 1957, still works fine. Also a 300A that is 30+ years old is used regularly.

BTW, the price in 1957 was $14.95.

RoLo reply :

When I was about 5 yrs old (mid 1940s), I cut my teeth in saltwater with a metal fishing pole

and rusty baitcasting reel. In freshwater, dad beamed me up to a green glass Shakespeare rod

with an archaic Garcia baitcasting reel (just a rudimentary revolving drum).

My fishing world really didn't begin until my first spinning outfit which I purchased with allowance money.

I choose a blue Conolon rod and a black Mitchell 300 cap...I was in Heaven!

No, I'm not using any of that equipment today, and haven't the slightest idea where it's gone.

Roger

oldschoolbasser reply :

I still use my 33 year old Ambassadeurs,and Phenix rods for everyday fishing.The new stuff is nice,but my old tackle feels more comfortable to fish with.They still catch fish,and that's all that matters.

#pat_walker_fishing reply :

I still do...well, rods anyways. I still use allstar rods but the ones before the company went to crap. I have modified all them with split grips and balanced them. They still fish great and sometimes i can find them on ebay for cheap....

backpain... reply :

I pass them on to teenagers from the church to use. Hooked a few on fishing over the past few years!

=Matt 5.0= reply :

This oldy gets used HARD.

titelines reply :

Quote

When I was about 5 yrs old (mid 1940s), I cut my teeth in saltwater with a metal fishing pole

and rusty baitcasting reel. In freshwater, dad beamed me up to a green glass Shakespeare rod

with an archaic Garcia baitcasting reel (just a rudimentary revolving drum).

My fishing world really didn't begin until my first spinning outfit which I purchased with allowance money.

I choose a blue Conolon rod and a black Mitchell 300 cap...I was in Heaven!

No, I'm not using any of that equipment today, and haven't the slightest idea where it's gone.

Roger

On the Garcia bait caster did you use dacron line? When I was 10-12 years old I used a very low end bait caster filled with tan dacron line, I learned to cast it a long way & not many bird's nests.

Mike Z reply :

Quote
As a boy, I grew up using an old Mitchell 300 reel. I loved that thing. I learned how to take it apart and clean and take care of it, and it took care of me by always working when I needed it to.
Well, now I've grown up, moved up, got some new Shimano CI4s and Curados, and newer/better rods to boot. But I came across an older Mitchell 300A, still made in France, at a yard sale a little while back, and it just screamed for me to take it home, so I did.

I'm planning on cleaning it all up and putting it back into service along with my newer stuff. I know it will feel different using it, but it will bring back some fishing memories from the past, I'm sure.

So, like the title asks, anybody else use the old stuff still?

Thanks,

DAve

Plan on getting a new rig this year, probably something totaling a few hundy, but for now I am still using my 25+ year old Mitchell 300A. Took it to the sporting goods shop a few weeks back and asked about grease, etc. Guy popped a few things apart and said looks fine, leave it alone.

Its been trusty for me and I'll keep using it and it will become my second rod someday hopefully.

optimator reply :

I still have and use (sometimes) my first "real" setup. A 6' LCI rod with a Ambassadeur 4600 CB. I bought them new somewhere around '87.

ScottR reply :

I fish old round reels!

4- 4600c3 and c4's, 3- 5000's, 3- 5500's 2 have custom clickers, 4-6500c3's and 2- 6500c4's. All have abec bearings and carbontex drags. I also have a Custom 7000 rocket for blue cats. These reels cast like new or better and are easy to maintain. I do prefer to have Quality new or newer rods.

I had 4 ardent reels on older all star rods that were willed to me from my uncle who passed late last year. They were stolen out of a friends truck last month. Nice stuff but Id rather had him fishing with me!!

BobP reply :

I still have some little Ambassadeur ProMax 1600's and 3600's that I use all the time. These reels date from the late 60's and early 70's and are still some of the best casting and smoothest retrieving reels I've ever used - and that's compared to modern Abu and Shimano baitcasters!

junebugmn reply :

THIS!!!!! Is a great topic I still use my Lew's speed spool I bought about fifteen year's ago, have it on my 6ft9inch carrot stick, also sitting out in my entry way is a 1978 mitchell 300 with the "white" spool don't use it though, for a rod it had a Pro-fisherman 6ft6 inch spinning rod on it, caught hundred's of bass on it in my teeth cutting year's! Junebugman

htbass reply :

I have two Daiwa TD1hi baitcasters. They still work great, I use them all the time.

ScottR reply :

I just bought a mitchell 300 for 2 dollars at a garage sale!! it even has an extra spool!!

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Anyone still using their older equipment? 2024

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