Popped into Mad River outfitters in Columbus, Ohio today. Picked up these perfect size 12 kebari from Tenkara USA. I will fish 2 of them and keep one as a little piece of art. Fished one within 10 minutes of purchase... got fish.
I threw the kitchen sink at them with my spinning reel today. Every Rapala, Rooster Tail, Senko, and jig I had. Nothing!
Meanwhile, the first and last cast with the tenkara rod produced three smallies in less than 10 minutes. Sometimes, keeping it simple is the way to go!
I’ve fished my whole life but only with a spinning reel. I find myself by small streams a lot so I tried tying a fly onto my ultralight but it sucks. So when I found a used tenkara rod for $10, I quickly snatched it up. It’s the Aventik Tenkara Rod Pro IM12 Nano 6:4
in the 11’10” length.
Now I just need to know how to set it all up because it didn’t come with any line or flies. I’m in SW Michigan and most tackle shops near me carry spinning and trolling tackle and occasionally a small section of fly fishing stuff. So I don’t really have a salesperson to ask or shelves to pursue and I’m hoping you can help.
From what I’m reading, I need special tenkara line, right? Or can I use some type of normal fly line instead?
Is the tippet just regular mono or fluoro? I have several spools of both but a pointer on what weight to use would be appreciated.
I know flies are very specific to the time and area so can I just follow whatever the fly fishermen are recommending?
Even a largie this small is a blast on a tenkara. Was targeting bluegill. Every once in a while one of these guys shows up. I'll take it.
This was a really fun day, during the Wyoming/Idaho Tenkara Campout. I fished the Dragontail Hydra v2 tenkara rod for big, strong Snake River Cutthroat trout.