Choosing Tenkara Line

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The more you read about choosing line at various Tenkara websites, the more confused you are likely to become.  You will find articles referring to “leader,” when they really mean “casting line“ or maybe “tippet.” Furled line is commonly confused with braided line. It’s a nightmare. So let’s start fresh, shall we? 

The line attached to the tippet at the end of your Tenkara rod has two distinct parts. First, there is a casting line. Second, there is a tippet.

Most fishermen use a casting line that is about the length of their rod. It’s typically made of a highly visible (hi-viz) material, and comes in one of four main types:

1) Furled Line

2) Braided Line

3) Tapered Line

4) Level Line

Furled line is the closest thing to original horsehair Tenkara line that you will find. Furling is a braiding technique that creates a taper in your line, making it heavier at the tip of your rod and lighter as it approaches your tippet. Some fisherman think that a taper in your line helps with fly “presentation.” I’m of the mind that this is a bit of overthinking what is supposed to be a simple way to fish.  It may also give trout a little too much credit for their cognitive abilities.

Braided line does not always have a taper to it. A traditional braided line is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of a single (mono) filament making up your casting line, multiple filaments are braided together. In my experience braided lines are more likely to hold water and sink. That is neither good nor bad. Sometimes you have to go below the surface to get the fish, and sometimes you don’t.

Tapered lines need not be furled. They can also be monofilament lines. There are some very high-tech and very expensive tapered monofilament lines out there. Again, the taper is supposed to help with fly presentation. Let’s remember that Tenkara is not regular fly fishing. We don’t have 30 or 40 feet of line off the end of our rod. So do we really need help with presentation? It’s your call.

Finally, Level line. Level line is a monofilament line that remains the same diameter from end to end. It could be made of nylon or fluorocarbon. Different strokes for different folks, you know? As long as it has some weight, the line will work. Why some weight? Because unlike traditional lure or bait casting, your fly has no weight. You need a line with some weight to cut against the breeze and cast your fly.

Now, onto tippet. No matter which type of line you choose, it will attach to a tippet. Tippet is typically about a yard long. It is clear and thus virtually invisible on the water. The tippet is tied to your casting line on one end, and your fly on the other end. Tippet comes in different weights; the lower the number, the thicker (and stronger) your tippet is.

For freshwater monsters you will want to fish a tippet between 0x and 2x. For most of us, on most days, 5x tippet paired with a 10' or 12’ rod is perfect. For panfish or juvenile trout you can use 6x or 7x. Remember that tippet protects your rod. Don't use 2x tippet with a rod that cannot handle a 10 pound fish - the tippet might not break but your rod will snap. You'll lose the fish and your rod. Use a tippet that will break before your rod does.

As a general guide, here are some tippet strengths:

0x - 15 lb. test

1x - 13 lb. test
2x - 11 lb. test 

3x -8.5 lb. test 

4x - 6 lb. test 

5x - 4.5 lb. test
6x - 3.5 lb. test
7x - 2.5 lb. test
8x - 1.5 lb. test

This is just a starting point. Buy some different lines, get some different strength tippet, and see how they feel when paired with your favorite rod. You may decide that tapered line is what you like after all! Most importantly, remember that the whole point of fishing is to enjoy yourself. There is no single correct way to do it. So get out there and as always, “Fish on!"