USING ALL OLD SCHOOL FISHING GEAR (SO MANY FISH!)

The best way to get out of the house during quarantine is to go fishing! I’ve picked up a hobby lately of fixing up vintage fishing gear and I wanna see if this 60+-year-old gear can still catch fish. If you can’t afford the fancy brands of gear, fixing up some old school gear is a great way to go! Super simple, cheap, and effective.
Today, we are fishing in the Chesapeake Bay to stock up on perch to store for food and to also use as bait during the fishing season. Currently, Maryland is under a “Stay at Home” order, which means we can still fish as long as it’s for food (no catch and release) and as long as we don’t come in contact with other people. I can’t believe how well this old gear worked! I’m glad I was able to honor this gear by catching the first fish it's seen in probably 60 years!

**When you are going fishing during this pandemic, please make sure you follow state laws and social distancing guidelines. This does not mean “We can meet up to go fishing as long as we stay 6 feet away from each other.” Social distancing means that you should not be in the same vicinity as people who do not live in your household unless absolutely necessary (like when buying groceries). Limit your contact with others as much as possible. Go to remote fishing spots where there are no other people fishing. If you want to go fishing with a friend, we recommend that you each go to your own fishing spots and video call each other. Let’s all help keep each other safe during this uncertain time**

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[centralbears]

Love the Mitchell "Click" I could recognize it anywhere. Like a 60's ford truck; rebuildable to last another 50 years.
No Electronics / No Computers / No Batteries = Never

[ddselvig]

Fishing with "old school" equipment has a charm all its own. This year I bought some old baitcasting reels and vintage rods. My brothers and I had a blast catching bullheads and perch with the vintage equipment. It took me about an hour to learn how to cast those baitcasting reels without getting a backlash. Since then I fished all spring and summer without any backlashes. It brought back a lot of memories of fishing with my uncles when I was a kid in the 1960s. They always used baitcasting reels, and I marveled at how they could cast so adeptly with them.

[EastRiverRon]

In 1961 I mowed a bunch of lawns, took the money, and bought a Mitchell 300 and a Mitchell 304. Have been cranking them ever since. Both reels have their original parts. I have worn out too many "high tech" graphite reels with all sorts unneeded ball bearings in no time. You are right, these are great reels that you can self-service and are just plain fun. Like AN AK-47, IT NEVER FAILS AND GETS THE JOB DONE.

[bryanembry]

*Nice reel so far **enjoyable.fishing** recommend used it for about an hour after getting it from Amazon and functioned flawlessly. Very smooth retrieve and the anti reverse is perfect. Feels like a reel that would be double the price.*

[joelcanfield]

Hey Skipper ! I love the clicking sound when using my old Mitchell and other old reels, music to my ears. Good sportsmanship on you for tossing small ones back and limiting catch .

[dinosaurusdog]

Right about un-fixable cheap reels. That's why I decided to recondition my 25yr+ old reel. It has simple mechanism and built to last. And with a little elbow grease its working like new again.

[JoeL-drzg]

I am 68 yrs old and that reel was the first one I ever bought. Made me smile to see you catching them with it!

[TheLife]

It is a good hobby to fix old reels and then catch fish with them. I am enjoying this hobby too.I bought an old Penn reel and took it completely apart, cleaned it lubricated it and it is working wonderful. And this hobby is rewarding. I catch fish with this reel.

[Totaro]

I have a Mitchell 300 and a Point Professional 910. I use them every time I go fishing along with my modern spinning and bait caster reels.
I love them.

[deepwater]

I enjoy fishing with my 60's Mitchell reel! There is something satisfying about using vintage gear...

[rogerdecker]

Hey Skipper you've made me homesick! I'm from Bowie and been gone too long. Up here in Chicagoland since 87. Love your video. I recently bought an old Garcia Mitchel 300. Just yesterday I cleaned it out and regreased the gears. Can't wait to put in on a spinning rod and go try it out. I also love the old Ambassadeurs for casting and old Zebco 33's as well. I'm 70 and feel like a kid all over again when I watch fishing videos (not the ones for pros). Talk to ya later Skipper.
Rogee

[jakewestor]

Pawn shops are an excellent source of fixer uppers. Great video idea, love the old gear.

[bobsmith]

Hey in the Mid 60s as a teenager I bought a Shakespeare Wonder Rod, the White Spiral Fiberglass, which I installed a Mitchell 300 for light freshwater and once I joined the Military and was assigned to Ft Eustis it worked wonderfully on the inshore banks catching hundreds of flounder and croaker. The rod held up into my mid 50s but the reel got to the point I could not hand make parts anymore. The rod blank was fine after a few guide change outs but once the brass ferrules weakened sadly I lay it to rest. But those Mitchell reels were noted for rugged reliability.

[lindioncicerao]

Bought a mitchell 300 serial number v . put it on a vintage berkely rod. Bass catching machine. Like you i also had same gunked up inside. Took it apart cleaned it oiled and greased it up. Also fixing up other vintage rods and reels. Great video.

[jepoydsfishing]

Fishing really help me releasing stress. I highly recommend! Its really addicting!

[frankiev-tech]

Man that reel was so loud my neighbors and dogs was going crazy!!!! Lol! No but awesome you brought the old school setup! I enjoyed it...I agree with you man...I'm happy you and Erin get out there and enjoy what you love. It's true being out with nature just puts you in peace and happiness. My wife and I do the same. I as well love to fix my own reels and maintain my stuff. Keep educating us like always but I know deep down...you want to get back and catch the big ones again hehehehe!

[edroberts-fm]

Sir,
Back in 1975, I was fishing in Windsor Ct . USA the Connecticut River with my little 304 when I came across a Carp who came in at 35 pounds on a 6lb line River Miss by Garcia the line was made here in a town called Rockville Ct. I have many Garcia 120s, spin-cast and they also made Garcia 170s I also have spinning 520s and 505s now I sit here in my wheelchair at the age of 82 years old and watch someone like you have all the fun THANKS TO YOU AND THE MISSES🐟🐟🐟
🐟

[nickmcintyre]

That is so cool! I think you've just inspired me to start a new vintage gear restoration hobby! Thanks!

[robertprado]

I going to dig my Mitchell Garcia's out of the garage clean them up and be ready when lock down is over🎣

[evan]

My dad uses only old school stuff. Not necessarily antique items but they still make all the same style stuff. He refuses to use anything else bc he catches everything he wants to catch with them.