What is your favorite tenkara rod?
Tenkara Rods (and two that are not)
I’m writing an article about tenkara rods and I want to hear from you. What is your favorite tenkara rod and why? Will you please click here to leave a comment? Alternately, you can email me directly. You can find my email address here.
Has to be the ESO-Tenkara 360 6:4 available from http://www.esoterictackle.co.uk. It’s slightly softer than other 6:4 rods which makes it a perfect casting tool for 3# level lines. Am I bias? Heck yes! It’s my rod but I stand by it being a tested casting tool and not a pole with a handle stuck on the end.
Looks suspiciously like a rebranded TUSA rod?
It most certainly is not a re-branded rod. I’m not aware Tenkara USA make rods for anyone else.
Maybe made by the same company in China that makes tenkaraUSA rods? Rod tubes look the same (materials and construction) as well as the rods. I’m asking because I am curious. I’ve seen HUGE deals being made by Korean and Chineese at trade shows. Factories that pop out rods with the purchasers brands. That is more of what I thought that those rods were. The same producer as TenkaraUSA rods that just branded yours with your company name.
The action of the rods is not quite the same as the T.USA rods. There are other differences as well. All I can say is, that if you get the chance cast one to see the difference. Unlike some companies that are popping up and putting out a whole range of rods I am making sure every single rod in the range is absolutely right. The 410cm rod is not quite right yet, so I’ll not put it not production until it is. Esoteric Tackle rods are designed, not re-branded.
For me, it’s the Tenkara USA Ito. Really smooth casting action and the zoom feature instantly gives you the extra reach when you need it without having to switch to a longer line.
The Ebisu model with red pine handle manufactured by Tenkara USA; a superior bluegill rod that has a very light and limber (5/5) action good for little freestone streams. The compact handle has a heaviness and texture that holds well in the hand and acquires a nice patina of use.
The Ebisu is a great starter rod. I would compare it to a VW bug. Want a Porsche? Search out a Nissin “Flow” or a Sakura Seki Rei. Both have wood handles, both are super light compared to the Ebisu. I started with the Ebisu. The two rods I mention are high performance in comparison. Nice starter rod though.
Right now my favorite rod is the Tenkara USA Ito. At 13′ mode it is a dream to case and when I need that extra reach or leverage, the 14’7″ mode is a great feature. I am loving the Ito this year and not only does it look great, it fishes great also.
I’ve fished 6 tenkara rods. This would be my order of preference.
1. TUSA 11′ Iwana – My first rod. Will always be #1 to me.
2. Sakura Seki Rei 3.6m – Gorgeous rod, very light, extremely sensitive.
3. Sakura Kongo 3.3m – A little bit stiffer than the Seki Rei, but very, very light & compact in size when collapsed.
4. TUSA Ito – Like a lot about this rod, but haven’t really “flexed it’s muscles yet” with extensive use.
5. Fountainhead Caddis – It only cost $45. That’s less than a tank of gas.
6. TUSA Ayu – Just didn’t care for it. Thought it was a tad heavy for extended use.
The only one I have thus far is the TenkaraUSA Yamame 7:3. Nice and rugged, and ha landed me some large fish, although the diminutive fish still register as substantial and lively as well.
Not sure yet. I think I have a new favorite but I need to catch more fish with it. I know it’s not a big fish rod but I need to find out what it’s limits are. For small wild fish, though, not sure it could get much better. Like a Soyokaze all grown up and sophisticated. The only other thing I’ll say about it at this point is that it makes every tenkara rod you’ve ever fished feel clumsy and cumbersome.
I am so surprised Chris! You are a brave man. Thank you for offering the Japanese rods. You are far ahead of the curve, I like that!
While there are few tenkara rods I don’t like, my favorite for the past year or so has been the Ito. The extra length is very useful for reaching across current seams, and the rod is much lighter than the Amago, even though the Amago is shorter. There’s a bit of a sacrifice in terms of pinpoint casting due to the softness of the Ito, but I usually need that accuracy on small, brushy streams, where I would use the 11′ Iwana anyway (probably my second-favorite rod, and definitely my sentimental favorite — troutrageous, I know what you mean).
Oh, and in terms of budget options, I would echo the support for the Fountainhead. I have a blue Fountainhead (I believe it’s the Caddisfly — they don’t print the model name on the rod apparently) that is a perfectly serviceable tenkara rod. I don’t ever pull it off the shelf in preference to my other tenkara rods, but if I only had 50 bucks to spend I’d be happy fishing with it. It’s easy to cast and it catches fish.
Thanks everyone for your feedback! I really appreciate it.
I think my overall favorite is the TenkaraUSA Ito, even though I have been fishing more often with shorter than 13″ rods for the most part of this year. I like how it casts, how it feels and the additional zoom if needed.
I have several rods, so the quick answer is…..whatever one I’m using on a particular stream or pond. If I had to make a choice I would pick my 11′ Iwana. I love the way it casts, I have caught many memorable fish on it, and I use it predominantly in the places I love to fish most. However, my Yamame is my workhorse and gets used most often.
I think if you are new to fishing, a cheap rod is a good start. Rods by tenkaraUSA are a good choice.
Serious about it?
Why would you buy and operate a rod designed by someone new to tenkara? Why would you buy a massed produced China made rod? Why would you purchase a rod that was not produced by the Japanese?
The Japanese have been at it for quite some time. Their rods are highly refined with a lot of time and experience behind the development. No HYPE, pure Japanese Tenkara performance based in long term experience.
Nissin rods by master Hiromichi Fuji, Masami Tenkara-oni Sakakibara hos a couple of rods, Shimano Mainstream ZE has a master’s touch, Sakura Kongo and Seki Rei is a pure 100% Japanese materials, Japanese made and sold by a 100 year old rod shop in Japan. These rods have been honed by master anglers associated with the roots of tenkara.
Drink the kool aid or enjoy the experience of a highly refined Japanese rod.
I can not support anything less than the truth. Tenkara is Japanese, the best rods are from Japan and developed by Japanese masters.
The truth sets you free.
I had hoped Tenkara would be a chance to escape from this crazy tackle high-tec-one-way! does it really matter which rod? why are americans that much obsessed by rod-choice?…tell me why does it so often look as if many fishing guys were fighting against nature – a lot of “weapons” of utmost hightec around the body- some 20 backup rods and reels, 100 lines, 1000 flies, beating the water like crazy and shooting complicated casts as far out as they can – I am afraid their line covers more fish than their fly and leader- in Scotland I watched 80 yo ghillies wearing Tweed jacket and Knickerbockers fishing with 17″ Greenheart rods by playing them like violins…if you really want to preserve nature:” go low tec” K.Becker: “About the Joy of basic Life”
Hands down my favorite rod to date is my first. TenkaraUSA’s 11′ft Iwana is my favortie. I have the added shorter handle for really tight spots. However I love the original 11′ the best.
Come on now…just because it doesn’t have a cork handle, it’s not a tenkara rod.
You declare two of the rods to be non-tenkara. Why is that? Did not earlier rods in Japan that were used for the tenkara method lack cork handles? Seems like an artificial distinction to me, but the issue is not important, really. My current favorite rod is a 10’2″ Daiwa Soyokaze with no cork handle, and I don’t much care if it is considered a tenkara rod or not. It will fish wonderfully either way. On the other hand, perhaps you excluded the two rods because they are crappie rods; not enough of them is shown for me to know (the red stripe is familiar to some people I guess, but not to me).
Paul,
It’s not the lack of a cork handle. You are right — those two are crappie poles called Black Widows, and they’re definitely not tenkara roads (and neither are they marketed as tenkara rods, to my knowledge). We had them set up for a video we were shooting with Chris Stewart comparing the action of tenkara rods to the action of crappie poles, which people unfamiliar with tenkara often think can be substituted for tenkara rods.
In the video, which we’ll eventually post, Chris demonstrates how you really can’t use a crappie pole as a tenkara rod, as tempting as that might be for budget reasons (a Black Widow is as cheap as $12). It’s simply not suitable for repeated, gentle casts. It’s made to chuck weight.
I have fished with that Soyakaze and had a good time with it. The lack of a cork handle didn’t bother me. I think its absence might on a bigger, heavier rod, but not on that one.
Ashley
I’d have to say my LEAST favortie rod is the Fountainhead Caddis 360. I’ve had two, and they both broke on the very first day of use! I do like my 12” Iwana a lot, but I find some of Chris Stewart’s rods a little intriguing.
Hi Ashley
I see the greatest collection of tenkara rods at the photo. Sure, some other rods outside USA can be added.
Earlier my lovely rod was Shimano NB 36LLS. This rod was designed to be optimal for casting with level lines. There is no stiffer butt and softer tip segments; the rod is full flex, the tip section is hollow and significantly stiffer, than all TUSA rods. It transmits the feel of the cast so much better, that you can cast with shortest backcasts and tightest loops. Such kind of action gives you the great advantage to fish at overgrown rivers and anywhere in small spaces. Normally that sites are not pressed by the other anglers and you have much more chances to catch good fish there.
I like Shimano NB 36LLH, but always wanted the longer rod with the same action. When started my tenkara web project, I’ve ordered the “long shimano” rod design and manufacturing for the gear store. The result surpassed all the expectations. Motive 390 from http://www.tenkaratimes.co.uk is really “all round” rod. It is good to fish in bushes with short lines. It can’t be overloaded with longer heavier lines and easy casts 6-7 meters level lines at the open waters. It is the best for CZ-nymphing because of its length and the stiff tip sensitivity; you can even feel your anchor nymph bouncing off the bottom and the subtlest takes. Now I like Motive 390.
I have used the B&M Black Widow poles for (let us just say) “Tenkara” like fishing for years, not knowing it was called Tenkara until just recently.
Sure, the rods are built to chuck weight but if you tie your own flies just use barbell eyes and adapt the flies and it’s a pretty good setup.
They are my go-to rods for embedded panfish at a couple local ponds and lakes where a flyrod just won’t work.
Lookign forward to getting a true Tenkara rig pretty soon. Maybe the wife will get a hint soon enough
OK, mine is now the Stone Fly 360 from Fountainhead.
It paired with the Cutthroat Tenkara leader (http://www.shop.cutthroatleader.com/Tenkara-Japanese-Style-Fly-Fishing-Hi-Vis-Leaders-Tenkara-Hi-Vis-Indicator.htm) is simply marvelous IMHO.
Currently it is Daiwa’s Soyokase 31SR, by far. Once the waters died down this spring, I’ve fished it nearly exclusively all season, only pulling out the Ayu just recently and fishing the Daiwa Soyokase 27SR a few times. I like both the 27SR and 31SR nearly equally, just started using the 31SR more.
Sorry, you wanted a reason why. Fair enough. The combination of fairly stiff backbone and flexible, solid core tip are nearly perfect, providing great sensitivity (I can feel each tick of the fly or change in water speed underwater) great action, particularly with small trout (much more response that my Ayu for 3″ and smaller trout), and great control on larger trout up to 15″ (I haven’t caught anything larger. Yet.) The casting is precise yet still comfortable and “slow”-paced. It casts the widest range of line lengths, weights, and types of any rod I own. The shorter length has not yet proven to be an issue or prevent me from fishing anywhere but the far bank on larger rivers I don’t normally fish anyway. I’m not saying I wouldn’t want a longer rod with the same action, I would, but it hasn’t prevented me from fishing this season and I have plenty of longer alternatives.
Look at this wonderful pictureat http://www.discovertenkara.co.uk/tenkra-blog to understand, that more and more tenkara rods are issued every year. Sure if you will postpone your article to the end of next season it will be very large
.
…..
i have always noticed that white folks eat up other peoples culture. i believe most of people here aren’t even Japanese. Its an odd thing that even some of the Japanese didn’t really know about tenkara. It took a young entrepreneur from Brazil with some drive to go to Japan; have some rods built then sling them here in the US. Once it became popular here folks over there took interest. So if a guy were to spark up a smoke and have a cup of coffee and think…. he would realize that our carbon fiber long rods are not really tenkara. those indigenous folks fished tenkara with heavy bamboo rods. I have heard about the method and the tool. should we really care about a bead head or kabari? What it all comes down to on any given day is, my Creator has blessed me with another day to enjoy something that i love. So whether i’m fishing Fountainhead or T-USA its up to the fish to grace me with a bite. its always a good idea for me to keep my head out of the clouds and keep my feet planted firmly in the stream bed. Because the truth is, the real Japanese tenkara anglers are long gone. however, i am thankful for them.
I personally was looking for strategies for my personal blog and uncovered
your blog, “What is your favorite tenkara rod?
”, will you care if perhaps I really start using a bit of of ur suggestions?
With thanks -Adalberto
I am presently useing an 11ft. 330 caddisfly fountainhead rod and could not be happier…..Dick