I took the opportunity this week to use this newest reel from Mitchell while I fished with visiting family.  We were after sheepshead on the Florida East Coast, and not many fish fight better on light tackle.

So I filled the smaller diameter graphite spool with eight pound Trilene and we headed out for the jetties on the St. Johns River.  The reel comes with two spools, one graphite and one aluminum, and a new patented "Spool Concept" quick change feature that allows you to change spools independent of the drag settings.  This is one feature I particularly liked.

Although the reel is advertised to resemble the original 300 model, the black color and unique handle are the only two similarities I could see.  The inner gears are completely different and include a worm gear that allows the line to go onto the spool evenly.  The drag mechanism is no longer under a push button spool release, and I can tell you that is a help to me.  I lost many spools overboard on the original model after inadvertently pushing that button while fishing.

This is a fast reel.  The retrieve ratio is 6:1, one of the fastest in the industry.  This allows you to work topwater plugs and fast moving lures with ease.  As with most quality reels these days, the 300X has an instant anti-reverse feature.  This allows quick hook sets with no spool back lugging.  Right or left had retrieve is possible with a quick change of the handle.

The reel is advertised as having 5 bearings.  While I did not take the reel apart to inspect it, I did experience a very smooth operation.  All new reels are smooth.  The reels with brass shim bearings become sloppy and noisy after a period of time.  Those with ball bearings keep their smooth operation with proper care.  Only time will tell on the 300X, but it does feel solid.

The smooth drag is another feature I particularly liked.  It's a multi-disc front drag that is independent of the line spool.  Some very large sheepshead made some very long, hard runs on this reel and the drag worked perfectly.  There were no catches or loping as the line moved off the reel.  The adjustment is a very fine one, which means several turns one way or the other are required to tighten or loosen the drag.  I was frustrated with this at first, but once I got used to it, I liked it.  Too many reels have a drag adjustment that is far too coarse, and that means loosing a good fish it you aren't careful.

I did have a couple of problems with the reel.  The first one sent to me by the manufacturer had a defect, but was it was quickly replaced.  The handle, designed after and resembling the original 300, was the only other problem area.  I tightened the bottom reversal nut as tight as I could with my hands.  It still required attention during the fishing day, as it loosened and caused the handle to want to reverse itself as I was reeling in a fish.  Perhaps a pair of pliers or some plumber's locking compound would have helped.

Overall, this is a very good reel.  I was very satisfied with its performance.  Would I purchase one?  It is designed primarily for freshwater, but I would use it for light saltwater fishing.  Given the relatively inexpensive price range and good performance, I would recommend it.  And, yes, I would buy it for light saltwater use.