First Tenkara Rod

[dpenrod]

With no reel, how do you keep a large fish from making a run and breaking off?

Dave

the recommendation is to use no stronger than 5x tippet. had something very large take a black leech on my 12' iwana and broke me off instantly. fun way to fish and very similar to high stick nymphing in my humble opinion.

[kevthebassman]

Would be ideal for some place like Mill Creek. Probably something I'll try, someday.

[fishinwrench]

Are the TK rods real soft?

You'd probably be surprised how much pressure you could put on a big fish with 4-5x if the rod was soft enought to cushion all the sudden burst of energy. Ever tried hooking a fly to a solid object and flexing the rod slowly until the tippet breaks?

Then again, if its too soft he'll just run you out until your rod is pointed straight at him and it'll be game over. Not sure I'd be down with all the decent fish in Crane and Mill wearing mouth jewelry from past Tenkara encounters.

Naa, I'm with Brian S. it's a passing fad at best, I kinda hope.

[flyrodman]

Are the TK rods real soft?

You'd probably be surprised how much pressure you could put on a big fish with 4-5x if the rod was soft enought to cushion all the sudden burst of energy. Ever tried hooking a fly to a solid object and flexing the rod slowly until the tippet breaks?

Then again, if its too soft he'll just run you out until your rod is pointed straight at him and it'll be game over. Not sure I'd be down with all the decent fish in Crane and Mill wearing mouth jewelry from past Tenkara encounters.

Naa, I'm with Brian S. it's a passing fad at best, I kinda hope.

Yes they are soft and can handle large fish, but I don't think it is a passing fad because more and more people are getting into it. It doesnt seem to be slowing down but it might lose its popularity...later.

[Jason R.]

I still don't get it. I also need another rod like I need another hole in my head... unless it was a sweet 2wt...

[Trout Commander]

Most Tenkara are pretty supple. They will handle a big fish depending on your definition of big. It's a pretty good feat to land anything close to 20" really. They are a small stream small fish rod for the most part.

I get the nostalgic and traditional aspects of the game but like others have echoed, I don't want to hook into a fish of the year type fish on a blueline and get my butt handed to me. However I do like the style of Tenkara, so I built a ten and a half footer so I can fish with a high stick and short line when I want. But I can also give a fish room to run when it needs it and cast across a river. Well I still can't cast across a river but the rod is capable...

I might get one some day when the fad has passed and cheap used rods can be had. Until then there are too many other rods atop my build/buy list.

[dpenrod]

this was posted on another forum i frequent, but thought it was a pretty decent fish and does show that larger fish can be landed on a tenkara. cool looking carp too:

[Kayser]

14' figerglass cane pole, 6lb test, 10lb catfish. Definitely fun, and I don't see a lot of difference from tenkara with that. So I could see it working on bigger fish. However, a 40' cast does come in handy now and again on the smaller creeks.

And that's a leather carp- common carp minus scales. Step past a mirror carp.

Rob

[mic]

And that's a leather carp- common carp minus scales. Step past a mirror carp.

Rob

Your just showing off now

[Smalliebigs]

That poor Leather Carp....I don't think that system is made to bring truly big fish