My Thoughts On Sorting Out That Martin Automatic Mohawk
I have spent more time than I care to admit digging into my Martin Automatic Mohawk fly reel. It is a solid piece of equipment, but it has some quirks that will drive you crazy if you do not know what to look for. I am going to walk you through what I have learned, including the process I use when I need to Unravel The Mystery Inside Look At Fixing Your Martin Automatic Mohawk Fly Reel. The drag system on these reels uses a stack of cork washers between aluminum plates. Over time, the cork absorbs moisture and oil from your hands, then dries out and hardens. I once had a reel where the drag would catch at position three but feel smooth everywhere else. Took me twenty minutes to figure out that one specific washer had a hairline crack I could not see without a magnifying glass. The workaround was simple enough - I replaced the entire stack with new corks I cut from a sheet of shop-supply material. The cost was about eight dollars and the performance improvement was immediate. The real problem is that many people do not realize the drag needs to be checked seasonally, not just when something breaks. I have seen reels that sat unused for two years with dragFluid that turned into glue. The fix is to completely disassemble the drag stack, clean each plate with isopropyl alcohol, and apply a fresh coat of high-quality grease to the threads only, not the friction surfaces. This should take you about forty-five minutes if you work methodically.
The Spool Issue That Nobody Talks About
There is a common problem where the spool develops a slight wobble after years of use. I noticed it on my own reel when I was trying to cast into a steady wind and the line was slapping against the frame. The issue is usually not the spool itself but the arbor seat where it mounts. The taper can wear slightly, or debris gets packed into the threads. I solved mine by removing the spool, cleaning the arbor threads with a brass brush, and applying a thin layer of thread locker before reassembly. It held true for three seasons after that. Some anglers suggest replacing the entire spool, but that is usually unnecessary. The original parts are still available through Martin distributors, though lead times can stretch to six weeks during peak season. I have found that cleaning and proper reassembly addresses ninety percent of spool-related problems. Only in cases of visible cracking or severe scoring should you consider replacement.
Understanding The Drag Adjustment
The drag adjustment on the Mohawk is indexed, which means you get tactile clicks as you turn. Some people find this annoying, but I actually prefer it over smooth adjustments because you can feel exactly where you are. The problem comes when the indexing mechanism gets worn. I have seen reels where the clicks became mushy after heavy use, making precise drag settings nearly impossible to achieve. If you are experiencing this, inspect the ratchet mechanism inside the handle area. The teeth can wear down, especially if you have been overtightening the drag cap. My approach is to lubricate the mechanism thoroughly with a light oil, then test the feel. If the indexing remains inconsistent after cleaning, you may need to replace the ratchet wheel, which costs around forty dollars and takes about thirty minutes to install with basic tools.
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When To Actually Rebuild Everything
I will be honest here - not every Martin Automatic Mohawk needs a complete rebuild. If the drag feels solid and the spool runs true, there is no reason to take it apart. I have friends who rebuild theirs annually out of habit, only to find problems they introduced during reassembly. Work only when you have a specific issue to address. The situations that warrant a full rebuild include: persistent drag slippage even after cleaning, visible corrosion on the arbor, or a spool that will not seat properly no matter how you adjust it. In these cases, disassemble everything, inspect each component, replace worn parts, and reassemble with fresh grease. Expect to spend about two hours on a thorough rebuild if you have the right tools and patience. One thing to watch for is the handle thread. These reels use a left-hand thread on the handle, which trips up plenty of people. I learned this the hard way after stripping the threads trying to remove the handle the wrong direction. The fix was to purchase a replacement handle, which runs about fifteen dollars, and to always turn clockwise to remove. It is one of those details that makes sense once you know it, but causes confusion until then.
Finally, store your reel properly between uses. I keep mine in a cool, dry place with the drag slightly loosened. This prevents the cork washers from compressing unevenly and extends the life of the drag system significantly. It is a small habit that makes a measurable difference over the long term.
