Quote Originally Posted by Fishfishwish View Post
Used a vintage combo I recently acquired for the first time today - a Garcia Mitchell 300 (actually a 301 since I'm a lefty) and a Garcia Conolon 2508. I haven't tracked down the exact ages but these both existed at least as long ago as the early 60s. I tore down, cleaned and lubed the reel. The rod was almost mint. Lots of fun pulling in 10 gills and shell crackers. This light action rod really bends!

Congrats on your score. That same rod/reel combo (with 300) was my first spinning rod and reel. I bought it at Grant's(?) or Woolco(?) in Nashville after starting my first summer job out of high school in 1965. Caught lots of fish in creeks, ponds and below Pickwick Dam with it. The rod did very well with 6#, good with 4# with some occasional back reeling against bigger white bass and smallmouth. I remember trying 2# test a couple of times but couldn't get the drag/ back reeling down on bigger fish. I loved that rig.

I still have the reel, unused and stored in Tupperware for many years now. It is still workable, but needs some cleaning. You may want to locate some bailsprings for it. I replaced several broken bailsprings over the years. Seems like I broke the rod while casting a fairly heavy lure (probably a half ounce Pedigo Spinrite tail spinner).

This combo made me a life-long devotee to spinning tackle. Although I bought a couple of 5000 baitcasters later, I quickly got rid of them and stayed with light and medium-light spinning gear through all my bass club and inshore coastal fishing years. Most of my fishing this year has been with new ultralight rods, which I am greatly enjoying. Rods, reels, line and lures just keep getting better. Hope you continue enjoying a truly classic combo.