John Gillio Posted May 5, 2019 Report Share Posted May 5, 2019 This may be of interest to those wanting to try a Tenkara rod but don't want to spend a bunch on something they may or may not enjoy. A friend of mine ordered what looks to be a nice 12' Maxcatch Tenkara rod, rod case, line, flies, and fly case for about 70 dollars with free shipping on Aliexpress.com. He also ordered another 12' rod for 12 dollars which he gave to me. It came with an extra tip section. It does not have a cork grip like the Maxcatch rod but not bad for 12 and free shipping. They both took a few weeks to arrive in the mail. Neither has been put to the test yet, but claim to be able to handle fish up to 22" or so, which is also the length of my rod when folded down. The Matchcatch folds down to 20". Here are a few shots of the rod he gave me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gillio Posted May 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2019 loop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike G Posted May 6, 2019 Report Share Posted May 6, 2019 Good idea, John. Tenkara does not have to break the bank. Here's a link to a post I made way beck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gillio Posted May 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2019 Thanks for reposting that. Lots of good info there. I used the rod for the 1st time today and had a blast with a bunch of 7" gills and crappie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark K Posted May 10, 2019 Report Share Posted May 10, 2019 Keep an eye out Sierra Trading Post also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike G Posted May 11, 2019 Report Share Posted May 11, 2019 Yesterday I had a good time with Crappie o n that "cork" handle custom tenkara I wrote about. I used a 1" Chart Tube 3-4 ft under a ice fishing float ti detect the light bites. Tenkara purists might not like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gillio Posted May 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2019 Nice, I'll be trying mine again early this coming week. I tied some actual tenkara flies this time. We'll see how that works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike G Posted May 12, 2019 Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 I will be interested to hear how you do. My experience is that the flies fish shallower so that when the fish are surface or shallow minded you are on. I use bead heads, jig flies, and if course tubes when they won't come up. BTW what kind of line are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich mc Posted May 12, 2019 Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 mike what is your lake conditions high and muddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike G Posted May 12, 2019 Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 high, yes. Muddy, no. It is crystal clear. Someone said it has not been this clear ever. This year there is a big problem with dark green gunky algae clumps floating and suspended in the water. On the windward side it can form mats extending 10+ ft from shore. It fouls lures and line quickly. Does Shab have that problem? Residents are going to want to spray it if it keeps up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gillio Posted May 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 3 hours ago, Mike G said: BTW what kind of line are you using? I have an 11.5 ft braided tapered line from maxcast with an 18" tippet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich mc Posted May 13, 2019 Report Share Posted May 13, 2019 shab has a visibility of about 8 inches. no we dont get those clumps . crappies here will spawn deeper in clear water, so i think they will be at the bank. thats right on for tenkara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike G Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 John Gillio, I tried to send you a message, and it says you cannot receive messages now. Is your mailbox to full? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gillio Posted May 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 Mike, I received your message and sent a reply. I didn't get a notification that it was sent though. I only found it after you mentioned it and I looked for it. Let me know here if you receive mine. The mail box still has quite a bit of room. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike G Posted May 15, 2019 Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 Now the message went through without a hitch. It must have been temporary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gillio Posted May 16, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2019 I spent some time this morning at a little local pond with the tenkara rod. I fished the tenkara style flies as well as some regular wets and pull chain head marribou bluegill flies. All fished well. I was able to work around the algae patches that are quickly taking over the shore line, landing a good number of 6-7" gills, some 8" black crappie, and a 9" largemouth. This tenkara thing is fun but I'm needing to find some running water that is low and clear enough to wade. I spent the afternoon driving around in search of such a thing and was surprised to find one that fits the bill. Now I hope I can find time to fish it before a rain messes it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gillio Posted June 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2019 Mike, I read that the level end of a 2 or 3 wt, weight forward floating fly line works quite well on a Tenkara rod for dry flies. Maybe the end piece of an old line would be the ticket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike G Posted June 4, 2019 Report Share Posted June 4, 2019 Thanks John. So far this year I am happy with the the Amnesia and Hi Vis Flouro lines of which i sent you samples. I get them to straighten out by really hauling on them before the first cast as I try to do with all my fly lines any way. I do not have 2-3 wts in my arsenal; so I am not sure where I would get an old line. But I will take donations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gillio Posted June 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2019 I do have a 3 wt. As much as I use it, the line will last forever. Not that I don't enjoy it. It is a favorite setup that just doesn't get used enough. It sounds like a size 2 wt iworks best . I'll be keeping my eyes open for an old one too. It would be interesting to see how it compares to the others. If I find something I'll send you some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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