Mike G Posted December 4, 2011 Report Share Posted December 4, 2011 Just when I had fishing gear nicely classified into fly, casting, and spinning, I got my first look at a centerpin outfit. Like Frankenstein it combined bits and pieces from each category. The rod looks like a Spey rod or long spinning rod. The line is what I would use on a spinning reel. Though it looks like a single action fly reel, the reel sports precision ball bearings typical of a baitcaster. For all its oddness, Frankenstein delivers a drag free drift and earned a place as a new category on my gear list. Then along comes Tenkara—the Bride of Frankenstein. Though it casts a fly, it too defies traditional boundaries. The line is an overgrown furled leader. The telescoping rod looks like something you would use to dunk minnows for crappie. There is no reel. If you want to know more about the new kid on the block, there is good information out on the net. Here’s a video and a website. Video Website Final thought, would this work for small stream Smallmouths? The max cast with this outfit is about 30 feet since the rods average 15 feet and the lines are also 15 ft. It is a perfect incarnation of Bob Long Jr’s third rule of fly fishing for Smallmouth Bass, “Make short casts, 30 feet or less.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rich mc Posted December 4, 2011 Report Share Posted December 4, 2011 lets not forget speycasting.. rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom L Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 Mike, The centerpin has been around a long while. Steelheaders around the Great Lakes have been using it to drift spawn sacs, tube jigs, marabou jigs under a float or sometimes they bottom bouncing with split shots. The fly rod Float-n-Fly that I posted was borrowing from the centerpin idea. Tenkara for smallmouth? Check out this article, this guy used a Tenkara rod for northern pike and he broke the rod. http://www.eatmorebrooktrout.com/2011/09/tenkara-and-water-wolf.html Smallmouth on a Tenkara that would be a real challenge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klrbaer Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 Hey Guys, I've been using my Tencara rod since early summer know and I do love it. I've used it for Bluegill, Crappie, and even caught a few bass and catfish on it. The largest of which was 6 lbs. I make my own furled leaders now and also enjoy that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike G Posted December 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 Hey Guys, I've been using my Tencara rod since early summer know and I do love it. I've used it for Bluegill, Crappie, and even caught a few bass and catfish on it. The largest of which was 6 lbs. I make my own furled leaders now and also enjoy that. KB, That 6# fish, Bass or Cat, is respectable. Do you use those backwards Tenkara flies? Tom, Thanks for the link. That 35" pike at estimated 10-12# seems to have exceeded the Tenkara limit. Is there a Twentykara rod for bigger fish. It sounds like an enjoyable way to fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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