mitchell - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

jfisher · 01-01-2006, 04:02 AM

First happy new year everyone.
CAn some one tell me the line capacity of a mitchell 406, I'm having a tough time finding info on these reels.
thx

piemma · 01-01-2006, 07:46 AM

Where the hell did you find a 406? I'm sure they are not made anymore and if it's a real old one it's worth more at a collectable than as an everyday reel.

Mike P · 01-01-2006, 12:54 PM

The 306/406 was a mid sized reel, similar to the Penn 710. I'd guestimate the capacity as +/- 200 yards of 15# mono. The reel also came with a plastic ring around the arbor that you could use to reduce its capacity. Make sure that plastic ring is removed or you won't get enough line on it to be of much practical use in the salt.

The 306/406 also were very prone to premature bail closure. Make sure the line roller is dirtectly vertical when you flip the bail over.

nightfighter · 01-01-2006, 01:08 PM

I love the amount of knowledge that is just a keyboard away here. Mike, is there a reel that you don't have intimate knowledge of? I can't keep details like that about my go to reels from year to year. You guys amaze me.

Mike P · 01-01-2006, 01:49 PM

Someone posted specs on another site indicating a capacity of 260 yards of 20# mono. I'm more than a little skeptical of those specs, since that's about what the much bigger 302 holds

I'm basing my guess on what I remember my aunt's 306 held. Bearing in mind of course that 15# mono of the 60s was a lot thicker than the mono we have today.

jfisher · 01-01-2006, 05:58 PM

thx everyone

Any idea how i could tell how old it is.
If its not valuable how does it fish compared to say a 704?
I heard that some have aluminum gears that can be stripped. I pump the rod and pick up line w/ the reel so most of the stress is on the anti reverse i guess.

Is the gearing more complex than a 704?
Can the reel be dunked?
Can the reel be packed?
thx

pbadad · 01-01-2006, 06:10 PM

I have a 1964 Garcia fishing manual I had when I was a kid. They show the capacity as 500yd/8lb, 400yd/10lb,300yd/12lb,250yd/15lb
200yd/17lb and 150yd/20lb. These capacity ratings were using Garcia super-platyl mono. No diameter specs but I'm sure with the new lines of today the capacities would be similar. I've fished with my 302 recently @ MV. Still does the trick but put it back in retirement.

Mike P · 01-02-2006, 12:03 AM

I don't know if I ever had a 306 apart. But, maybe in a month or so, I'll be able to get my hands on the one my aunt had. I know just where it is and I should be in the area around the end of January

When I get my hands on it, I'll open it up and have a gander at the gears. The 302 had a planetary gear system that was a little tricky, and the 300 had a multi-gear train.

I can tell you that in the later 38-/48- series, the 300s had aluminum gears and the 400s had brass.

piemma · 01-02-2006, 05:43 AM

I really would not use it. I have a 306 and a 406 put away for my grandkids. I think it's a waste of an antique to fish it. They were never terribly reliable and with the new reels available and the cost of a decent reel around $100 you probably should use the latest technology and give the old soldier a good retirement.
JMO

pbadad · 01-02-2006, 03:15 PM

The 306-406 has the planatary gear system as the 302/402.