Long Line Casting on Tenkara 

thanks

Thank you. We are trying to bring more videos and information. We take your suggestions to heart.

This was a 25ft prototype Fusion Line with approximately of 8ft leader/tippet setup with a streamer. These are floating lines. They cast and lay our effortlessly. We are hoping to have them available in the spring.

Good morning...no apologies necessary. You ask a great question. So you are currently able to cast about 16-17ft 3.5 Level Line on your 11ft rod? That's great. Level Line can be a bit trickier to cast at longer lengths so you are doing very well. A slightly heavier line is easier to cast since it will load the rod more and give the angler more feedback. Of course skill is a big part of it, but I'm guessing about double your rod length would be your goal. However, consider this: Tenkara Level Lines are really designed to be fished off the surface of the water. Since they are fluorocarbon, they will sink if laid on the surface. This is why most tenkara angler whobuse level line, fish it traditionally (meaning short and tight). That being said, Zen promotes the idea of fishing how you like...but if you like cadting long lines or need to cast long lines where you fish, you might be working harder than you have to by using the 3.5 Level Line (fluorocarbon). Since you are not going to be able to keep 22f+ of line off the surface of the water, you may find switching to a line that floats, a more practical option. That's kinda why we designed our All Purpose/Floating Tenkara Line - its super light similar to 3.5-4 level line, but floats (so it wont pull your fly down when casting long lines), and lays out and cast super easy. It sounds like you're doing a great job. I wonder about casting long lines....your "why", and wonder if you you will be doing a lot of long lines, whether a floating one might give you better results and out comes. Thoughts?

@@ZenTenkara I’ve been mainly fishing at a river. With the shorter line I was using I couldn’t get enough reach to where I was seeing the trout rise. A floating line might be the right answer. Thanks for your response!

@@Seedy446 Check these out. The All Purpose/Floating is very light. The Fusion Lines (I would suggest the Light or Mid-Weight for you - probably Light) is heavier and will feel more like casting a regular fly line. www.zentenkara.com/shop-tenkara/floating-line/ or this www.zentenkara.com/shop-tenkara/zen-fusion-tenkara-line-light/ These lines are designed to cast long and float. Hope this helps you reach those farther fish👍

@@ZenTenkara thank you so much!

@@Seedy446 Reach out any time! We're here to help.😀

Was working today with someone on that very skill....learning to lift the line to get into a cast and lay out a 35ft set up. It takes a little practice but you can do it!

@@ZenTenkara yah I'll probably pick up some of your fusion line in 15 and 20ft this week and go crazy practicing in my front yard. One issue I had on my first outing was managing the line with the rod extended and the line not on the line holder I found when I wanted to move the best way was to keep the line in the air by doing a casting motion but not letting it touch the ground, but I feel there's gotta be a better way since that wouldn't work if there ws underbrush or trees nearby

@@Catboy-hr2qp it takes a little time to get comfortable with long lines - casting them, landing fish on them, set hooks from them...and even walking the river with them. I keep things pretty simple. Zen offers several options like our Wood Line Holders that people love. Personally, I just wrap line around my hand a few times to loop up the extra length and keep the rod extended while I walk the river. On long lines that means about half if it I'm holding. If I can just let is swing in the river (when I'm moving a short distance) I toss it out and let it swing down stream (assuming there aren't a lot of debris). If I'm moving a longer distance, stopping to lunch or maybe have to do a little hiking through nasty, I collapse the rod and swear by the Universal Rod Caps. I love those things and always a few extra on hand. I store my rod cap in a safe place and use the Universal Rod Cap instead. Then, I loop the line around my hand until it's drawn up close to the end/lillian cord. Finally I pass the rubber strap through the inside of the looped line and secure it. This hold the line securely looped and close to the rod. Plus it protects the tip of my rod. I have been doing it this way for years and find it extremely effective - even when hiking through thick and high bushes in Alaska and back country. I hook the fly over the rubber strap (not into it which will eventually cause a rip or tear) and everything in neat and tidy. It is fast and easy and effective. So all the important stuff. I have even thrown my rods secured like this into float planes with huge backpacks and gear and everything stays put. Not sure if if works for you but it does for me. The Universal Rod Caps are on our website and are inexpensive.

@@ZenTenkara thanks for the tip wrapping the line around my hand a couple times really helped keeping it from snagging on stuff when walking along the shoreline, I was able to catch my first fish on tenkara yesterday Sept 9 and 12 more after it, only had one get away because I didn't keep tension when hand lining it in, all in all I think I'm hooked gotta get fly tying stuff next and off course more and longer lines I saw a couple big fish rolling right beyond the distance i could cast

@@Catboy-hr2qp Quaking in my shoes for you! So awesome.. Congrats to you!

We totally respect your opinion and appreciate your responce. We enjoy regjlar fly rods too...and also use them. But long lines on tenkara rods do work and are extremely effective in many places. Just another option...