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Thinking of adding a Tenkara to my fishing gear quiver and finding significant pricing differences among sellers, e.g. Foutainhead at the low end, Tenhara Rod Co. way at the high end. Is it really about getting what I pay for or am I merely paying for a beautiful website?
Tough question. After all, it’s just fishing.
But then again, fishing is akin to religion for some. I’m somewhere in that category.
I’m sure there are plenty of people in this world that could out-fish me with a sapling and piece of string, making a mockery of my expensive rods and reels.
As for Tenkara, I have three rods from Tenkara USA, two from Tenkara Rod Co. I think the finish and feel on Tenkara USA’s rods is FAR superior. I don’t fish the Tenkara Rod Co. rods…they’re loaners for friends and my kids at this point. I also have a $6 Chinese telescoping “tenkara” rod. They all catch fish. They’ve all fed me. But I enjoy the Tenkara USA rods best, one in particular. Finish quality, feel, all of it. Daniel Gallardo has also contributed quite a bit to the world of Tenkara IMO so I don’t mind supporting his company.
I currently have my Tenkara rods on display on a small wall rack in the house; I like them; I wouldn’t put something I felt was “cheap” on the wall.
Is it worth it? Is it all hype?
All I know is that I’m content with what I have. Years out, I don’t feel the pain of the purchase price (I can’t even remember spending the money or what I paid for them at this point), I just enjoy using the product.
Appreciate the feedback. Agree, I could cut a thin branch, attach a line with fly and hit the creek. But alas, a primitive option I’ll not consider.
In reading thru many of the BPL Tenkara comments I find T-USA’s Hane ($160) is popular maybe because it collapses to 15″ but is one of the shorter rods at 10’10”. T-Rod Co. Sawtooth ($165) is mentioned as well. It’s a 12 footer that gets down to 20″. T-Fountainhead’s 11 foot Caddis ($60) comes down to 20″ and is the lightest at 2.9 oz. None of the prices include the cost of line, tippet, flies.
I’ve more research to do — like what rod length and why — and why I should spend $160 vs $60. BTW I’ll be stream fishing in the Rockies for the most part.
H. W. – I have some friends who have the Hane and the opinions on it are mixed: from decent to very stiff. If you are fishing mostly in the Rockies I would look at a 360 CM rod. I don’t have any rods from Tenkara USA but they have a great warranty. With most of the other companies if you break it you buy the replacement part. However, with that being said, I get out 70+ times a year tenkara fishing and so far have only broken one section and that was my fault.
Hi H. W.
I have four and TenkaraUSA rods. Ilike all of them. And the warranty is absolutely fantastic. You can call them up and get a part shipped the next day at a very reasonable cost. And rides to break.
If you’re interested in trying a rod they have their 10th anniversary Ebisu rod that normally sells for $175 on sale now for $85. A great deal and a great rod.
Thanks Russ for tip on the Ebisu. It must have just happened unless I missed it yesterday. I think I may jump on it.
I bought the Ebisu so search is over. $99 with shipping. Order taker said they expect to be totally sold out by the end of today or by tomorrow, with no restock. Look forward to trying out, at least for me, a newfangled way of fishing.
>”I could cut a thin branch, attach a line with fly and hit the creek.”
That was my thought, “Isn’t a Tenkara setup just a stick and a string?” But then I’m spoiled by getting to catch my salmon in a 60-foot-long net.
I do like the survival advantage to having Tenkara skills. A small quantity of line and a few lures and flies (then cutting that sapling when needed) and for less than an ounce, you have a viable way to catch supper.
Nice score on the Ebisu rod. It should be fun to catch fish with.
I really like and appreciate Daniel Galhardo’s enthusiasm and support for Tenkara fishing. His customer service is fast and attentive – I was able to get a new tip for one of my rods between two fishing trips a couple of years ago. The hunt for fish with Tenkara is part of the fun. At the end of the day, the fish don’t really care what’s behind that tasty morsel you are offering, be it a string tied to a twig or a $2,000 custom fly rod. It’s all fun!
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