tenkara

[Mike Way]

Has anybody messed around with this tenkara stuff? Im mostly wondering about the rods how is the action do the fish put up a good fight? Alot of the area that I flyfish for gills is close to shore so the short line length isnt an issue and I know the flies will work because theyre all basicly soft hackles and those are usualy killers.

[Stan Wright]

The difference between an extension pole or croppie rod, and a tenkara rod is like apples and oranges. Two totally different tools for two different kinds of fishing.  My smallest "western style" flyrod is a 3wt.  I wanted something to use on the smaller fish.  Tenkara is the perfect fit... I love it.

My last 2 trips to SW Montana for trout fishing I only used the tenkara rod.  We floated the Madison and the Yellowstone and I landed trout in the 18" range with no problem.  I fish for bluegill, bass, and peacock bass here in Hawaii and tenkara rods are perfect for the one pound size fish.  I have landed up to 3 pound fish... largemouth, peacock and carp.  Tenkara rods are easy to learn to fly fish with, you don't have the reel and line handling to deal with.  My 9 year old grand daughter picked it up and was casting and catching fish in less than 15 minutes.

For just doing research on what rod to buy, or type of line to use, check out Tenkara Bum.

http://www.tenkarabum.com

He has done lots of research and gives some good information and advice.

The cheapest place I've found to get a true tenkara rod is All Fishing Buy.

http://www.allfishingbuy.com

I got a Motsugo 3908,  13 foot rod,  5:5  for around $68....  I think they are around $85 now.

If you put it side by side with the Tenkara USA rods $160.... you can easily tell the difference in quality and workmanship.   Still, a good fun rod to use.

I have 3 of the Tenkara USA rods, all 13 foot.  The Amago (6:4) action... and the Ayo (5:5) action.  The customer service of Tenkara USA is excellent.

https://www.tenkarausa.com

[chuck lanc]

I started out with the AMAGO. Then bought off EBAY an IWANA.  Fished the IWANA for few months.  I got lucky and bought an YAMAME off EBAY.  The YAMAME is a great rod somewhere in between the AMAGO AND IWANA.  

It is my go to rod now. 

[Ralph King]

Mike, I'll let you know if it's a "Fancy Canepole". I ordered one yesterday and hope to be fishing with it next week or so, depending on weather. I've been flyfishing for 40+ years and from my research, Tenkara is just a simpler way to do it. I am looking forward to fishing small streams in North Georgia for trout as well as ponds and lakes for bluegills and bass. 

Tightlines Y'all!

[Stan Wright]

Only to those who have never used it, Mike, only to those who have never used it.   LOL LOL LOL

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

Personally I"ve never used a Tenkara so can't speak from personal knowledge. I do have some questions though for anyone who knows. WHAT IS 000 WEIGHT LINE? IS that the leader or fly line. What is the actual test weight of the leader ? I have cast an Orvis 1 weight when they first came out and thought it was WWWWWWWWWWWAY TOO LIGHT for fishing heavy cover gills like I do. Lots of logs and weeds primarily were I fish. I normally use a 5 weight on gills and red ears and sometimes in the wood go to a 6 weight for crappies .  I'm very curios about these and have seen a few video's on their use by some Japanese fella on you tube.......

[chuck lanc]

The number of the LINE or Weight of the line ... is determined by the weight of the first 30 feet of forward weighted line.  I am not sure what the weight of 000 line.

Tenkara fishing still involves casting a weightless fly and line.  The ultimate in delicate presentations and accuracy. One could never cast in this manner with a CANE ROD.

I used #3.5 LEVEL LINE which is just fluorocarbon 12.5lb test.  I will use a length about 1.2X the length of my Tenkara Rod.  I attach a 2 foot section of 5X tippet.  I tie on the fly.  Ralph King  you will enjoy the simplicity.  I have fly fished for more than 10 years now and have changed to Tenkara fishing.  I regularly fish at a local lake for  BLUE, RED, CRAPPIE, LMB, and TROUT.  Small streams are the best when running here in SO CAL.

[Joe Angelucci]

000 weight line is about 40 grains per 30 feet. 

[Ralph King]

Tenkara

 

Rod:  Long telescopic rod with tapers specifically designed to cast a light line without weight

Line:  Level fluorocarbon or tapered furled nylon monofilament, thread, fluorocarbon, or horsehair.

Terminal Tackle:  None

Lure:  Artificial fly

Delivery:  Overhand cast, bow & arrow cast, roll cast, side arm cast, steeple cast, etc. (Same casts as in fly fishing)

Presentation:  Dead drift, wet fly swing, pause & drift, pulsating, etc. (Same as in fly fishing)

Approach:  Read water, and strategically position oneself for the best presentation.  Keep moving and seek out fish in different lies

Cane Pole Fishing

 

Rod: Long rod (either telescopic or jointed cane) designed to lob weight (or not designed at all in the case of actual cane)

Line: Usually nylon monofilament

Terminal Tackle: Hook, weights, bobber

Lure: Natural or synthetic bait

Delivery: Lob or flip bait into water and let it sink

Presentation:  Let live bait swim or let dead bait sit. Watch bobber for signs of a strike. Adjust depth of bait if necessary.

Approach: Typically stationary: sit & wait for fish to take bait.

[Joe Angelucci]

Ralph

You can use flies for telescopic poles / cane poles but the issue is with casting. Cane / Telescopic poles use the weight of the bait or terminal tackle to cast. Tenkara poles use the weight of the line to cast the fly. 

[Ralph King]

Chuck, I will be getting my 12' rod from TenkaraUSA Monday. I think I'm going to really like fishing it. Our mountain streams here in North Georgia are just waiting for me! I will also be using the Tenkara in local ponds, fishing for bluegills and bass. I think I will also try it out for shoal bass in the Hooch sounth of Sope Creek, once the water warms up some. 

[Craig Stockton]

Hey, anyone interested in a killer deal on a tenkara rod. Tenkara USA is having a sale until 11:59 MT on their Ayu II and Ito rods.  The Ayu II is $165.00, now $99.95!  Killer deal. Just bought one!

 

Craig

[Jim Gronaw]

Thanks for cluing me in on Tenkara. I just bought a 13 ft crappie pole that went for $10.99. I have spoke with Jeffrey and his pole fishing techniques, which seem simple but in reality require skill and exactness in presentation for boating tons of big bluegills. I believe that the telescoping pole should be in everyones arsenal of techniques, and I am sure there are times when it is the 'best' approach for a particular panfishing situation. I am excited to try out my new pole, and look forward to further posts on the subject.