Question about my new $10 Tenkara Rod?

[John Harper]

Okay, I got my Tenkara rod, interesting little toy. There is a single red line at the tip. I have a length of 3 wt. level line and leader. I have a short length of backing with a loop tied to the other end of the level line. The rod is 270cm (8'6"). I have a spare spool for stowing the rig as well. Will fit right in the glove box!

How do I attach to the red line? It has no loop, so I assume there is some secret Asian method?

How long should my level line be, given the rod length? I have about 20 foot of level 3wt. line surplus.

I assume a 7.5' tapered leader/tippet ring should work fine on the end?

It looks like my buddy who is coming up to the FFA get together has a Tenkara rod too. So I figure they look good for fishing those meadow creeks, or even the lakes.

[BradW]

John,
Glad to hear. I also just picked up a Tenkara and plan to bring it up the opener. I'm just a beginner with the rod but might help you out in a few areas. First, I don't think you want to use the 3wt line. I purchased a couple of light furled leaders about 1 1/2 times the length of the rod. The leaders have loops of them to attach to the tip section. Then attach short tippet section to the leader with a loop to loop connection. Pretty simple.
v/r,
Brad

[John Harper]

John,
Glad to hear. I also just picked up a Tenkara and plan to bring it up the opener. I'm just a beginner with the rod but might help you out in a few areas. First, I don't think you want to use the 3wt line. I purchased a couple of light furled leaders about 1 1/2 times the length of the rod. The leaders have loops of them to attach to the tip section. Then attach short tippet section to the leader with a loop to loop connection. Pretty simple.
v/r,
Brad

There is no loop in the tip, and it does not look long enough to tie one. I guess I can nail knot a loop on the end. I just got the "build your own Tenkara line" ideas off the internet. I'll look into those furled leaders. So the entire line is just one long leader?

I already took it apart from the wrong end when I opened it, but now I got that all figured out.

John

[Baughb]

There's instructions online for how to tie the leader to the red tip string.

My tenkara is 13' long. I use a 13' "tenkara leader and about 3-5' of tippet. No line. That's it. That's all it is, a long dapping rod that can cast as well.

Google "Tenkara set up" and you'll get more infor than you'll ever need.

Have fun with it.

Bob

[Wildman]

Did you buy the $10 Tenkara rod from Amazon? The red thing is the lilian. Tie a simple overhand knot in the end to make a stopper. I tie a loop with a bowline in the end of my fishing line/leader. i then make a larks's foot knot over the lillian and tighten it down. When you are done, I slide it off. Never have lost a fish with my tenkara from the line coming off the lillian. Great fun.

[John Harper]

larks's foot knot

Jim,

Yes, the one off Amazon that you posted, thank you!

Is that the same as a "cow hitch?"

John

[Wildman]

I think it is .