Tag Archives: fishing

Tenkara fishing: only a rod, line, and fly

“Fishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers”, as Herbert Hoover said.

Fishing was a mystery and a passion at the same time when I was a child. Growing up and experiencing the world of fishing from the inside fueled a lot of my interest. There are so many reasons to practice fishing as a sport, but the most important for me is the opportunity to experience some of the world’s most amazing locations available to anglers all over the world! Nature is genuinely extraordinary.

That is why I want to share with you a new fly fishing setup that I use. I don’t use a traditional fly rod, but I use what’s called a tenkara rod. It’s based on a Japanese-style fishing that originated in the narrow mountain streams of that country. It has been practiced for over 200 years now. Originally the rod was simply a bamboo/cane rod, which was cut and treated. Because of its light weight, Japanese anglers could use very long bamboo rods with a fixed-length line to reach as far as they needed.

I’m going to tell you about it as a suggestion for a way to possibly start fishing with a tenkara. It’s so easy, because the entire setup is a rod, a line, and a fly.

Tenkara rod, lines, and flies

Tenkara rod, lines, and flies

The rod weighs just 2.1 ounces, and it is telescopic. It collapses to about 20-inches, but can telescope out to various sizes. A typical rod can be as short as 10 feet 8 inches or as long as 12 feet 9 inches, which is perfect for getting into different sized fishing lakes and ponds. The end is capped until you wish to extend it, Pull the telescope until it’s completely out and then just put a little bit of tension on each section where the telescoping joints meet. You don’t want to pull to hard, because if you do you can damage the joints.

Besides the rod, you have a line that you’re going to be tying right to the tip of the rod. You can use the same length as the rod, but you can use longer lines as well. I use the 13 foot fixed line. At the end of the main line you will attach tippet, which is a very thin fishing line that goes between the main line and the fly. It is just like your standard narrow monofilament that you would tie to the fly. And of course, it’s a way to keep the fish from seeing the bright fly line and it helps deliver the fly a little more accurately.

I carry two different kinds of lines. I carry the normal line that is just round and feel great on calm days, so you can cast real easy. It is for calm conditions. There is no texture to it. And there is also a braided line, the advantage of which is that it’s a little bit heavier and it can cut through the wind.

The last, but not least, I have my fly box. Tenkara flies place less emphasis on imitation and more on the importance of their presentation. They are simpler than traditional flies. They have a reverse tackle which is facing towards the eye of the hook and a really simple design. That is one of the focuses of tenkara: it’s not so much about selecting your fly as it is having a good presentation; you can catch and release as many fish as you like as long as you are perfecting your method.

I really like using the tenkara setup. The equipment and setup is so simple. Instead of focusing on all the different flies and supplies, you focus on technique and simplicity. It is a great set up for backpacking or bicycling, and can easily be with you wherever you find yourself.

Cabo San Lucas Fishing Charters And Others

If you are looking for a good place to go and spend your vacation in, then you should definitely take a look at Cabo San Lucas, which is located in Mexico. Here, you can do all sorts of things such as explore the beautiful places there, and even go on some Cabo fishing charters to help you explore your inner sport fisher.

Cabo San Lucas is a town which has a lot to offer in terms of hotels, restaurants, and various other tourist attractions. It boasts its many sandy white beaches and a great scuba diving experience in the area.

On the other hand, it is also well known to be a great place to fish for Billfish and Marlin. In fact, if you know just where to go, you can even locate some extraordinary wonderful fishing grounds wherein you can do some great sport fishing. You can even charter any Cabo San Lucas Fishing Boat to help you get to those wonderful fishing spots which you will never be able to find anywhere else.

If you are already a sport fisher at heart, then you will surely appreciate this area with all that it can offer. You can surely hone and further improve your sport fishing skills here. Conversely, if you are a beginner, you can also start off with the great fishing grounds located near the area.

Cabo San Lucas is one of the many tourist attractions in the Baja area in California. If you choose to come here, you are surely not going to be disappointed with all that this wonderful place can offer. with activities such as swimming, scuba diving, strolling along the twon, sight seeing, and most of all – Cabo San Lucas sportfishing, you are sure to find yourself wanting to come back to this beautiful place over and over again.

Should You Purchase A Fly Rod Combo Or Build Your Own

As a beginner to the sport of fly fishing you can take one of two routes when it comes to choosing your gear. You can either balance a fly fishing rod and fly fishing reel that are purchased separately, or you can purchase one of the many fly rod combos that come already balanced from the factory. For beginners, fly rod combos may be a better choice for you to help ensure you have the easiest time learning how to cast, but a separately purchased rod and reel will give you something that you can grow into rather than having to upgrade once you have perfected your cast.

Fly Fishing Rods – If you are looking for a new fly fishing rod you will first want to think about the type of locations where you will be spending the most time fishing. If it is going to be in large lakes and open rivers, you will want a longer rod that helps you cast further and more accurately.

Fly Fishing Reels – Before you try to save money on a new fly reel you are going to want to make sure that you avoid buying one that is built from plastic parts. Instead you will want to make sure that it is constructed with metal parts and that it is sealed if you are going to be using it in the saltwater.

Fly Rod Combos – Fly rod combos usually take care of the aspects of balancing the reel to the rod, and the type of line that you need. However, you still want to follow the rules of purchasing a metal reel, and matching the length of the rod to the type of waters that you are going to be fishing in. You also want to make sure that the combo comes with a weight forward or double tapered fly line to help ease your way into casting accurately.

What Causes Fishing Kayaks To Flip Over

If you have been kayak fishing for any length of time, you have probably flipped your boat once or twice. If you are just getting started in the sport, you are going to want to make sure that your gear is attached to the fishing kayak with lanyards so that when you do flip your boat, you are not going to lose anything in the water. You can also prevent flipping over the boat by understanding how so many anglers end up in the water when they’re out trying to enjoy the day.

Being Uncomfortable On The Boat – If you are on a boat that is too small for you, or that wasn’t designed for kayak fishing, you run the risk of having tip overs happen more regularly. Fishing kayaks are designed with wide specifications to help keep this from happening, but if you are jerky in your movements, you can end up flipping the boat very easily.

Large Waves And Boat Wakes – If you are planning on fishing in the ocean, or where large boat wakes are going to be present, you also run the risk of having the boat flip over. When large waves and boat wakes are present, you are going to need to be aware of the direction that they are coming at you, in order to offset your weight on the other side of the boat.

Gear Situated On One Side Of The Boat – While you are loading your fishing kayak, you want to avoid loading it all to one side of the boat, or situating the heavier portion to one side. If you lean to the same side while you are on the water, you could potentially flip the kayak. You can avoid this by loading your gear onto the kayak evenly, and by being careful when you are leaning over to one side or the other.

Basics Of Sit On Top Kayaks

Oh, those wonderful days of lake or ocean fishing in an old rowboat with oars that kept slipping out of the oarlocks. Actually, back then most of us never heard of a kayak let alone used one for fishing. Today, sit on top kayaks for fishing is the rage, not only for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts, but the whole family as well.

Modern kayaks today come in different shapes and sizes to cater to various water sport activities.  There are whitewater kayaks which have a short and wide hull profile for stability and maneuverability.  The ocean or touring kayaks are slender in shape and built for speed.  Recreational kayaks are a hybrid of whitewater and touring kayaks.  This model is aimed at the general consumer market and is versatile enough to use for fishing or just a great way to spend time outdoors with the kids on the weekends.  These craft are made of polyethylene or fiberglass materials which make them very durable and light.

Recreational kayaks come in two configurations, sit on top and sit in kayak.  Sit on top kayak is a popular choice for fishermen due to accessibility, stability and transportability.  The two seat version, or tandem kayaks, are geared toward casual paddlers.  They are great for leisure water activities around ponds and small lakes.  Used kayaks are a great way to get into the sport and will not break the bank.  The best way to know which kayak fits you most is to test it out on the water if possible.

However, before you hit the water, it is highly recommended that you take a few kayaking lessons and always go with someone else with more experience.  Practice your kayaking skills in calm water like ponds and harbors.  If you are planning to paddle on the ocean, ensure to familiarize yourself with the tide chart and weather report.  Always wear your PDF while on the water and dress for the weather.