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.

[Ralph King]

Joe, I fished the Iwana for the first time last Saturday at a local pond. First cast, I caught a small LM bass. Nice! I caught a few more, but not bluegills. This past Thursday I fishing the same pond, finally caught  bluegills on a popper. 

You are correct, the furled line casts like butter. 

[Joe Angelucci]

Ralph

Glad you had a blast. Sounds like you had a good first catch with the rod. Don't be afraid to try dry and wet flies with the rod. I'm about two weeks away from using mine. Just wish spring would get to the Great State of New Jersey.

[Ralph King]

Joe, my bass were caught on Amano fly, also "shaky worm", because I lost the Amano in a tree! :)

[Joe Angelucci]

Took a mental health day today and was able to get out and use the Fountainhead Caddis Pole. The fly for today was a #12 Isonychia dry fly and the top water bluegill  catches were great. Today was a many day and was able to fish about 3 good hours. Was nice to get back on the bank and start the season. 

JDA

[Chuck]

I'm fairly new to this site and new to fly fishing but I am interested in this Tenkara method. Please advise how long of a leader and how long of a tippet do you normally use.

[Craig Stockton]

There's a lot in that question to consider.  I would go to Tenkara USA or Tenkara Bum for all the info you are looking for.  But the short answer is the length of the rod or a little longer for level lines.  4' for tippet not greater than 5X.

 

Craig

[Chuck]

I'm a Poor Man with an internet connection. Will a 12 ft. bream buster with a 12 foot leader of #12 florocarbon and a 3 to 4 foot leader of 4 lb. test line work? If I like that style of fishing I might invest in a Tenkara Rod? I'm trying to learn here but I don't have unlimited resources so please don't be offended by this.

[chuck lanc]

The length of the line and tippet is really up to your liking.  I have even used 15lb line i found spooled in the trash.  The secret is to straighten the line and stretch before each use.  You will have difficulty in casting coiled and line with memory.  I usually stretch short sections at a time then run the line through my thumb and forefinger.  Careful not to burn your finger and thumb from the friction.  Go slow and deliberate.

Good Luck

chuck

[Joe Angelucci]

Chuck

It would work but the set up would be heavy and difficult to cast. If your looking for a better exerience I would suggest using a South Bend 5 foot Extendo Pole with  6 feet of12# Florocarbon with  4 feet of 2 # test. You will be able to cast a fly fairly easy and have an effective reach of about 10 - 12 feet. The key is using a #12 dry fly and keeping the line off the water. Total set up should be under $10.00. I still use this set for bluegills in the late spring and micro fly fishing in the margins.

[Chris Stewart]

Chuck, I haven't fished with a bream buster but it is probably quite a bit stiffer than a tenkara rod. I suspect it will need a heavier line. I'd go up to at least 15-17# test fluorocarbon. Even at that, though, you might not like it because the bream buster is heavier and not designed for casting like a fly rod. If you like it, great, but if you don't it might be the equipment rather than the method.

[Chuck]

I've set up 2 Breambusters for this style of fishing. One I call my Dapping Rod and one I call my Tenkara style rod. On the dapping rod I tied a 2-3 ft piece of flyline to the end of the rod with a 6 ft leader out of 10# test mono and 3 ft 4# test tippet. I'll use this with dry flies and poppers. On the Tenkara style rod I tied about 7 ft flyline to the rod with a 4 ft 10# test and a 3 ft tippet of 4# to use with sinking flies. I haven't had the chance to fish these setups but I did do a test on a dock and both seem to work. I mainly Bream fish out of a kayak so I'm sure I'll have to adjust my line length to get the fish in. I think I'll like this style of fishing and will upgrade to the real deal. Does anyone know anything about a Fountainhead Caddis 330 Rod?

[Mike Way]

i ordered a caddis but havent had the chance to use it, ill post a review when i do, prolly 2 or 3 weeks.