Tenkara (The Kara?)

It's an interesting way to fish, but also a limiting way to fish. Casting is weird, distance is limited, getting caught up on stuff underwater can be a hassle to break the leader without breaking the rod, landing fish is not as easy because you can't reel in, etc.

That said, I have caught some great fish with a Tenkara rod. It's very compact, fits in just about any backpack, fishes nymphs with no drag, lands dries softly, and makes little fish feel big.

Do I like it more than my 3wts? No way. Do I enjoy having one for a different experience once in a while? Yes.
 
Well I watched some videos and started in on setting up the rod. Came with a pvc floating line and I tied on some Dacron to attach it to the string thing. nail knotted a leader to the other end. I used knots I know, trust, and seem more streamlined than the ones in the videos. Wouldn't you know that coil of line was not pre cut for the rod. Now need to cut it into fishable pieces. Was going to make one the length of the rod plus leader. It was mentioned 1.5 times the rod, not sure if this included the leader or not. I am familiar with landing fish on a long rod but not sure how it would work with no way to reel or strip line in.
Seems kind of novelty to me but I'll give it a shot. Might be really fun with poppers and bluegills or bass.

Thanks for all the input and video links.
 
I use an old dry line cut around 20’-30’ then attach a 9’ tapered leader. But that’s for lake fishing. It’s easy to roll cast even with an indicator, swivel and two flies! It’s a real challenge/blast trying to land fish! You have to tire them out then grab the line and hand line them to the net….it’s like a wild dog on a long leash! I also make what I call Frankenkara plus, they have snake guides but nothing else. They’re a cross between tenkara and western style rods. So nice being able able to strip the fish in to the net!
 
Bambooflyguy said:
I use an old dry line cut around 20’-30’ then attach a 9’ tapered leader. But that’s for lake fishing. It’s easy to roll cast even with an indicator, swivel and two flies! It’s a real challenge/blast trying to land fish! You have to tire them out then grab the line and hand line them to the net….it’s like a wild dog on a long leash! I also make what I call Frankenkara plus, they have snake guides but nothing else. They’re a cross between tenkara and western style rods. So nice being able able to strip the fish in to the net!
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The hand lining brings it all together......
 
Bambooflyguy said:
Maybe with a short line and smaller fish……too bad you don’t live closer, I’d let you try both!
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Apreciate the offer but I'll give it a little go.. I would assume it will click or not. Pretty competent with a fly rod setup but will toy with this to see what it is all about.
 
Bambooflyguy said:
Have you tried it in lakes josh?
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I have not. But also, aside from bass/panfish, I'm not much of a lake guy. So I'm probably the wrong person to ask regardless. Still, I suspect the fixed line length would make it kind of a non starter except for a few specific situations.
 
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