Mitchell Mag Pro RZT – Review

Mitchell Mag Pro RZT – Review

Anyone who follows my Blog or Facebook pages will know I have a real affinity with the original Mitchell Mag Pro (Extreme) spinning reels – I own two in the 500 size and they have never let me down despite continual use in some pretty harsh conditions.

The only negative thing I can say about them as they are now discontinued however, the replacement model, the RZT is now available – and has been for some time apparently.  I have been so happy with my reels that I haven’t felt the need or requirement to purchase anything else; but I do keep a very close eye on what other anglers use, and their opinions and suggestions.

I decided to buy this particular reel because I required a spare ‘set up’ for my clients, and because I know that one day, the ‘Extreme 500’ will eventually decide its had enough of being dropped, knocked and showered in sea spray around the south Devon countryside and coastline…

One of my beloved Mitchell Mag Pro Extreme 500s – still available on Ebay

Mitchell Mag Pro RZT (2000) available here

Specifications (2000 size)

• Gasket Nitrile level brake (not sure what that means I’m afraid!)
• Available in 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 sizes
• Mechanism and main axis aluminum
• Crank carbon flat
• 10 + 1 stainless steel bearings
• Frame and rotor carbon fibre
• Aluminum anodized reel spool
• Pick Up innovative Halo increases the robustness
• 5.8:1 retrieve
• 6.4kg Drag
• Weight 213gm
• Capacity 120m x 0.25mm
• Spare aluminium spool included

NOTE: I do not get to play around or test a multitude of expensive fishing reels therefore, this review is based on:

• Actual use through some harsh winter/early spring conditions.
• Use of the reel in conjunction with/alongside my Mitchell Mag Pro Extreme 500s.
• Experience and previous use of Cormoran, Okuma, ABU and Shimano reels and current use of a Daiwa Exceller alongside my Mitchell reels.

Initial thoughts out of the box

It’s not quite as good looking as the previous model however, two things immediately stand-out once you start to physically handle the reel. The drag system feels a lot more advanced, the handle is larger and gives the reel a more ‘exclusive’ feel. Moreover, my Extreme 500 weighs in at an astonishingly low 179g therefore, I was expecting this larger reel to feel considerably heavier – but, I was very happy to discover the RZT 2000 to feel light, but with a definite air of quality about it.

Something else that I love about these high end Mitchell spinning reels is the very mechanical, yet sophisticated ‘screw in’ reel handle. It’s probably just me, but once you reach the stage where the spindle is wound in far enough to engage with the inner gearing, the silky smooth rotation puts a grin on my face – you want to go lure fishing with it immediately.

With a bit of backing (6lb mono) attached, followed by a whole 200m spool of Varivas Super 8PE, the initial problem of having more line at the top of the spool was easily remedied (by adding one of the washers provided) and soon enough perfect line lay was established and we were in business.

Performance on the coast

I’ve used the RZT on three separate lure rods – my Major Craft Skyroad, Slash Lamya Thief and Daiwa Arity (which is slightly shorter than the previous two) and found that it balances extremely well on all of them. To be fair, you would expect this considering it only weights 213g but what I’m saying is that it doesn’t feel cumbersome or too heavy for the rod(s).

From a cast and retrieve perspective, the bail arm + line roller mechanism feels very robust, the braid peels off the spool very well indeed and importantly; the line lay is what you’d expect it to be – excellent.

As previously mentioned, the actual reel handle is very nice and alongside the line retrieve ratio, what you’ve got is a piece of kit that feels effortlessly efficient and well put together – and the more I looked at it, the more I started to get used to the orange on grey colour scheme; not that it really matters…

Onto that chunkier feeling (thaN the previous model) drag system – the best thing is that it’s ‘louder’ as in it’ll ‘scream like a banshee’ when called upon to do so; something that again, will no doubt put a smile on my face, and that of anyone else considering buying this fantastic lure ‘spinning’ reel.

Comparisons

NOTE: I haven’t actually used the Daiwa Caldia but have used the Shimano Sustain (for a short period admittedly).

In the table below, I am comparing the RZT to the these reels in terms of statistics. I believe I’d need to use all three of these reels continually over a say, a few months, in order to be fully qualified to say ‘I believe this reel is better than that one’.

At the end of the day, it is all down to personal choice anyway however, I think the figures below make interesting reading for someone in the market for a reliable, solidly built modern lure fishing reel, that offers a modicum (as much as anyone can reasonably expect) of resistance to the rigours of operating in the conditions we all take as ‘par for the course’ – getting the odd wave in the face and dropping our gear into/onto the odd rock-pool/rock…

My lure fishing ‘homework’

Summary

So you require a reliable reel that is capable of withstanding the occasional dunk or knock. For your money, you expect perfect line lay, a precision drag system, a smooth retrieve and trouble free usage – things that should be ‘a given’ for any modern reel costing in and around the £50 – £100 bracket, let alone the £200+ mark.

If you’ve been let down in the past, fancy a change, aren’t wanting to spend over a certain amount, or importantly; new to this area of the sport and possibly confused with the sheer level choice on offer – then I really don’t think you’ll go far wrong with a Mitchell Mag Pro RZT.

I welcome any feedback or comments.

Marc Cowling