MITCHELL FULL RUNNER MX6

RRP: From £99.99

When it comes to making reels, Mitchell has been around longer than most. In fact, the company has been around longer than many of us have been alive. And when anglers first discovered that carp could be caught by design, the Mitchell 300 was the reel of choice for many of the early pioneers of this branch of the sport. In 2017 the brand forced itself back to the forefront of carp anglers’ minds with the Avocast 7000 big-pit reels. And this year Mitchell has applied extensive expertise to the creation of the Full Runner MX 6 range. These reels offer carp anglers the most compact freespool reel with the largest line capacity Mitchell has ever made. This means you can fish with a freespool function at long distance while keeping the overall reel size close to that of a standard front drag, long cast reel.

WHAT SIZE IS BEST FOR ME? Available in 5000, 7000 and 9000 sizes, it’s the first two that will be of interest to the majority of UK anglers. The 5000 holds 390 metres of 0.30mm diameter line and is the ideal size for smaller waters where casts of around 70 yards are the most you’ll need. For bigger venues and 100-yard casts you’ll be better off with the 7000 which can take 550 metres of 0.33mm line on its spool. The 9000 ( 730 metres of 0.33mm), is more suited to tackling vast European waters where rigs have to be boated out to the horizon!

HOW DOES THE FULL RUNNER WORK? The freespool system is incredibly easy to operate. Once you’ve cast out and placed your rod on the bite alarm simply pull back the lever at the back of the reel. This will enable line to be pulled from the spool when a carp hooks itself. The ease with which line can be taken on the freespool setting can be adjusted via a small dial directly in front of the lever. Push it forward to increase the tension and backwards to reduce it. Once you’ve hooked a fish, a quarter turn of the handle will disengage the freespool system and you can then continue the fight playing the fish off the clutch. This can be adjusted at the front of the spool.

ANY OTHER FEATURES?

Yes, plenty! The slow oscillation provides an excellent line lay and the thick aluminium bail arm is rigid to prevent misshaping. The 4+1 stainless steel ball bearings ensure a smooth performance and a 4.3:1 retrieve ratio means you can quickly crank your rigs back from range. You also get a spring-loaded aluminium line clip and a one-touch folding handle with a rosewood knob. www.mitchell-fishing.co.uk