Mitchell Avocast 8000 Black Edition Reel

If you were born before 1980, we would put money on the fact that you have owned a Mitchell reel at some point in your life. There is surely no name more synonymous with fishing reels that Mitchell, and no greater pedigree – the famous and iconic Mitchell 300 having sold nearly 30 million units since its introduction in the 1940s. If you are of the newer school, you might not be so familiar, but safe to say Mitchell know just a thing or two about how to make a fishing reel.

The first thing that is immediately apparent, before you even get close to the tech specs is the beautifully understated finish Mitchell have given this model. Designed absolutely with the cult carper in mind, the Black Edition has the finish and looks of a reel with two or three times the price tag. Silky smooth matt black throughout, ultra minimal branding and a pre-worn ‘aged’ wooden handle grip sitting on a handle that folds perfectly flat complete the finish, worthy of even the tartiest set up or the most low-key underground look, whichever is your bag these will sit comfortably coolly.

Of course there are far more requirements of a reel than simply aesthetics, but the Avocast 8000 packs a remarkably hi-tech punch for its price tag. Tipping the scales at just 780g it is a reasonable weight for a big pit reel, kept low through the huge capacity black anodised aluminium spool and one touch folding handle and it will balance nicely with most carp rods out there. Five ball bearings keep it running beautifully on the retrieve and the greased felt multi disk quick drag system keeps you in control at all times, unless you’re old school and still like to backwind when playing those thirty-pounders under the tip!

When it comes to capacity and cranking power, the 8000 ticks all those boxes too, capable of carrying 340m of 0.40 line, in other words roughly 400yds of 15lb line, you have some serious big pit capabilities. Towing them out on a big French ressie? No problem. Want to punch 20lb braid out to the middle of nowhere? Done. The tapered spool sees to that, ‘frap’ free.

The 4.3:1 ratio, and slow oscillation so revered on more expensive reels has filtered down to the Avocast as well, meaning that line lay is pretty much immaculate and cranking that lead back in, or dealing with that livid twenty pound common that is pulling your arm off in the middle of the night is a pleasure. Even if you are a range monster, winding a 5oz lead in from 180yds is no chore with a retrieve of 83cm of line per handle rotation either.

When you add all the features up, for the money the Avocast 8000 is a serious piece of kit, whether you are just looking to dip your toe into the big pit reel market and don’t want to remortgage the house, or maybe you are looking for a second affordable set up for some big Euro trips, the 8000’s are a solid, reliable workhorse of a reel that not only performs well, but looks seriously stylish too.
£99.99