DISCONTINUED 2003
parts still available below
 
**Note: The 6500 Pro has the "banana" handle...the 6500 Pro GV has a "regular" wooden handle. Both the 7500 models have the "banana" handle :-) - Wooden handle upgrade - Now available for both the 6500 and 7500 Nautil reels!
For those of you who do not like the "banana" handle, direct from Mitchell, we now have the wooden replacement handles! These handles are for both the 6500 and 7500 reels - $22.39 and you can order them in the drop down menu below!
Mitchell's answer to the water proof spinning reel! This reel impresses me every time I fish with it! It's super smooth...smoother than my Sustain reels which cost considerably more. I'd even venture to say the smoothest spinning reel I've ever fished. And yes, it's waterproof...sand proof...I know, the first night of fishing mine, it was washed off a jetty with a brand new 10' Lamiglas spinning rod. After about 15 minutes of being pounded in the surf by waves alongside the jetty, the outfit was recovered. Without even rinsing it off, I cast it again....it was still 100% perfectly smooth, not one grind, not one sticking point...and to further test it, I didn't rinse it off for two weeks after this episode! Now, almost 1 year later, the reel is still silky smooth with a drag to match. If you want a waterproof reel but don't want to part with $500 or more, this is your baby! Also, it holds plenty of mono for you guys that still like mono ;-) And yes, this baby is as braid friendly as they come...a smooth ball bearing line roller and precise line wrapping system...not one problem to date!
Frequently asked questions
(actually an email that I sent to someone who asked these questions...but pretty since I've been asked almost the same questions more than once, I'm calling them "frequently asked questions" ;-) First, what is the difference between Neptune and Nautil?
No difference, exact same reel in the process of undergoing a name change. Second, which gear ratio would be preferable for tossing eels and is the reel heavy enough to do that?
Generally, the slower ratio reels for fishing live bait or plugs - you want to go slow. Both sizes of Nautil reels are more than sturdy enough with enough line capacity to fish live eels and wrestle the big fish you are looking for. Heavy, as in weight, is not a necessity and is, in fact, not preferred. Third, is there a specific length rod in graphite that matches up well with the reel? Most folks put the 7500 reels on rods from 9-11 feet with 10ft being the most popular - but the length of the rod is not nearly as important as it's physical weight and relative "strength" when considering which reel to put on it. For a heavy, fast action and stiff 9ft rod, the 7500 would be best while for an 11ft, light and limber rod the 6500 would be preferred. The 6500 has been used by some on rods down to 7ft long for kayak fishing and I'm told it's perfect. Conversely, there are some folks who put the 6500 on 10ft or longer rods and love it. Length is not the primary consideration for reel choice. Generally, my reel choice is more influenced by how heavy my line needs to be - my goal is to put 300yds of braid on my reel. If I need 30# braid for what I intend to do, I'll choose a 6500. If I need 50# braid or mono, the 7500 gets the nod. I want to be sure that I get an outfit big enough to do bait with this time around i.e. clams, eels, bunker, worms. "Big enough" - what do you mean? Long enough or stout enough? In general a rod that's ideal for throwing live eels is also a great plugging rod while a rod that's ideal for throwing clams/bunker with the associated heavy weights is only good for those applications and not the right rod for live eels (unless they are big eels) or plugging (unless they are big plugs). They seemed to think that a 9-9 1/2 foot rod would be okay. Absolutely, in NJ, 9 - 9 1/2ft is ideal. If outfit weight is a concern, make sure the rod is a quality brand and graphite - also, consider the Nautil 6500 reel instead of the 7500 - the 6500 is the one I use most of the time in NJ, the 7500 gets heavy for a light rod and light plugs. If you are planning on fishing mostly bait in a sand spike, get the 7500 cause it holds enough line that you can spool one of the spools with substantial mono like 20#. I prefer mono for anchored baits like clams/crabs/bunker and braid for live eels, plugging, and jigging. The 6500 will also hold lots of line - but about the heaviest mono you can spool up an effective amount of mono would be around 15# test - not generally enough for the rigors of clam fishing and the rough surf clamming is best in. The 6500 will hold 300yds of 30# Power Pro or about 235yds of 50# Whiplash.
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