Tenkara line options

[pcolapaddler]

Has anyone tried using fly line backing for Tenkara line?

It wouldn't float, but might work well to turn over wind resistant bugs.

Thoughts?

Sent from the largest mountain range in Florida.

[patrick62]

Yes. I've used #20 Dacron. It works until it doesn't. Fairly useless in any kind of wind unless using a heavy fly.

I've also used running line from an old WF6. Furled leaders of various types. Level fluorocarbon. And self-described Tenkara lines from outfits like Bushi.

I've had the best results with the last two. Bear in mind I am often fishing warm water for bass, and I routinely ignore warnings about using larger tippets and weighted flies. Haven't busted one yet on a fish; have broken two by clumsiness.

[pcolapaddler]

I'm mostly warm water as well. I want to try from my kayak... though there are lots of overhead obstructions to contend with.



Sent from the largest mountain range in Florida.

[gpwhitejr]

I have been thinking about tying some dental floss on my tenkara rod and trying dapping.

[pszy22]

A major factor in finding a line combination that works well is where and how you like to fish. Since you are fishing a relatively short line with a relatively long rod, alot of options exist.

One word of warning to the wise, when fishing a fixed length line system, make sure the weakest link in the chain isn't your rod. There are unexpected situations when something needs to give (high snags, big fish, etc), when it happens, you want to be sure it's the tippet that breaks, not your rod.

[pcolapaddler]

I took some of the things I've read here to heart and tried a short section of old fly line - about a 6 foot section of 5 wt.

It cast popping a bug quite well.

The river was pretty high, and fish were pretty far back in bushes and trees. I couldn't reach far enough into the brush without hanging in the branches. I finally tried a slingshot cast to get back into the thick stuff.

I usually can't buy a strike on this river, but managed to at least get a few takes and a couple hook ups with some bass. Much better than normal and only lost one popper.

I think I'll make a couple lengths of fly line to use with poppers and my kayak.

Sent from the largest mountain range in Florida.

[gpwhitejr]

How did you attach the fly line to the Lilian?

[pcolapaddler]

I nail knotted a short piece of fly line backing to one end of the fly line. Ditto for the 8lb flourocarbon leader at the other end. I think that I should have used something a bit stiffer for the leader and a foot or so of tippet.

The popping bug, a Miss Prissy in size 8, turned over fine as rigged though and i do tend to end up in the bushes a bit.

Sent from the largest mountain range in Florida.

[patrick62]

fiddling around with different lines is part of the fun. Very satisfying when it works.