Mitchell’s

First Issue Tournament Casters

Dennis Roberts Part 1

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Second version with lever reverse and foil covered spool

It was approximately in 1961 when Mitchell introduced their first tournament caster reel. Designers focused their efforts with experimental versions in four areas; the spool, gearing, locking mechanism, and retrieval system. Considering the requirements of professional casters, Mitchell engineers made changes in these areas based on performance requirements; distance was paramount. The sport of distance casting was at its peak and requests for special spinning reels that go further and more accurately was in great demand. Mitchell excelled in this area and produced several models. Their main modification was the inclusion of these multi tiered-monolithic spools that along with other modifications, collectively resulted in an extremely fine distance casting reel. Reels were sold or given to professional tournament casters actively involved in the sport. There are two versions one with an early chevon anti reverse and the second having a lever. A total of five different spool types were produced during the years of production.

When Mitchell experimented with tournament casters they realized the spool would be the key component. A conic shaped spool was tested having a pronounced angle of 79º≈. It was determined this geometry was perfect for maximizing distance during casting. Their main goal was to develop a design that allowed line to “spool” off the reel with a minimal amount of friction and at an angle of incident that would be conducive for maximum distance.

One of the first problems engineers encountered was how to maintain the line on the spool during the cast without the line falling and bunching at the bottom of the spool. Mitchell experimented with various materials such as, foil, unpolished-aluminum, and composite material for maintaining frictional contact with the line and to hold it in place during the cast and still maintain good casting ability.

Users of these reels still wanted more “hold” and either sanded the spool to create a rough surface or created serrations on the spool surface so the line would have something to hold.

Mitchell’s Tournament Composite Spool – Circa 1963

Overall, these methods were successful to some degree, which allowed the cast to be completed with effect. Another important feature on these reels was the locking system. It provided a means for completed casts to be “saved’ and prevent line movement. The locking mechanism was different on this version of tournament reel than on later models. It consisted of a large disk that was connected to the inside of the handle hub.

First version with chevon reverse with unpolished non aluminum spool

When the locking nut was tightened, it would prevent rotor movement. Any movement of the line after the cast came to rest could be reasons for points to be reduced or for disqualification. The anti-reverse system is intact but not functional for the most part on this & other distance casters. The reason for this is that the reel is not used for fishing and if disengaged, could cause line movement after the cast. Skish or Arenberg models, also called “accuracy casters”, are provided a full functional anti-reverse system.

The next modification centered on the inclusion of an extra re-directional gear. This additional gear provided a change in rotor direction to a clockwise rotation during retrieve. The extra gear on Mitchell’s tournament reels was implemented for the benefit of right hand casters. We will first look at how the line comes off a Mitchell 300 during a cast without the extra gear. Imagine a view of the Mitchell 300 looking directly towards the front of the spool downward. You will note that the line goes on the reel in a clockwise rotation and unwinds off the spool in a counter-clockwise rotation during the cast. Now imagine the forefinger of a right hand caster pointing down towards the spool and you will see that the line is travelling up the right hand caster’s forefinger which could result in injury to the casting finger.

The extra gear on the modified Mitchell 300 tournament models changes the rotation so that the line will travel down the forefinger of the right hand caster. It is for this reason that right hand casters, who do not have access to a tournament Mitchell with the added gear, use a Mitchell 301 because of the rotational problems. Even though a Mitchell 301 is referred to as a left hand reel, it is referring to the hand that turns the handle. The clockwise rewind also enhanced “line flow ” off the spool during casting.

The line rollers were the last area of re-design. The MP/ PUM system was tiered to allow line to be stored evenly on the upper level with the shock-leader and the main line on the lower portion. The spool was designed as a two-stage system.

Mitchell Tournament Spool Polished Aluminum – c1961portion. The spool was designed as a two-stage system.

The top section was hand wound for leader material and the lower section for line. The line roller only gathered line on the bottom section of the spool. Spools for these types of reels operate a little differently than one would assume. After casting, the line was retrieved using the bottom line guide. The bottom line guide only gathered line up to the middle of the bottom portion of the spool.

The caster would then take the line, place it onto the top line guide, and complete the rewind process gathering line on the upper portion of the lower tier. In essence, both line guides only rewound line for the bottom section of the spool. The top section of the spool was hand wound with leader material. There were times that casting line was extended to the upper section of the spool; see Part 2 article.

Mitchell Tournament chrome covered Spool – c1962

Mitchell made five versions of the first series of tournament reels. All five versions are the same except that the spool material was different for each. Spools were cut from industrial grade one piece aluminum bar stock. The original first and second offering came with an aluminum spool that was either polished or unpolished. The third version was covered with a very thin cover of foil shrunk-fit to the spool for the intention to minimize line friction during casting. The fourth version was chrome covered and the fifth was made from a very hard rubbery composite.

We cannot determine the rationale behind this concept but it appears it had an effect on reducing friction and minimizing “line fall.” Line fall happens on these types of spools due to a combination of gravity associated with a steep angle. Sheer line material (usually silk / linen) has nominal adhesion properties thus causing the line to bunch up at the bottom of the spool. It would seem reasonable to conclude that Mitchell, in an attempt to remedy the situation, developed this spool material to counter the effects and to enhance adhesion. Of the different version spools, the composite spool is an obscure item.

Mitchell also made a tournament reel with a vendor’s name inscribed on the body. This was only completed for one vendor during the course of production of this model. Albatros of the Netherlands had Mitchell produce these models in extremely limited quantities for select pro-casters. All tournament reels were made in limited quantities, which make these reels very desirable with collectors. They were distributed mostly in the UK and US.

The gearing, pictured below, is a combination of slight redesigns and the addition of the extra reversing gear. The gearing in these reels was not a cross-wind or planamatic design. It was somewhere in the middle offering even line gathering onto the spool. Tournament reels can be accurately identified by examining for the extra gear. The stem for the gear extends outside the casing and is covered by a “hub” . If the reel does not have this, then it is an aftermarket configuration.