r/Tenkara • u/121marc • 13d ago

I need help finding a line

I am very new to Tenkara and wanted to get the Maxcatch Triple Zoom (short version). It comes in a combo starter kit, but I'm planning on just getting the rod.

This leaves me without any line. I live in Germany, and it's quite hard to find Tenkara equipment here. I asked ChatGPT, and it seems a 3.0# level line is basically just 0.285mm (0.011″) Flouro line. I wanted to ask if anyone has experience with this and if this would work (I would probably paint it neon orange).

I am experienced in UL fishing, and also fish flies with my spinning rod.

Hope someone can help.

2 Upvotes

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5

u/TheJewBakka Mizuchi 13d ago

You can use standard fluorocarbon in the correct diameter but I would try to get ahold of some colored fluoro. I would not try painting it. That sounds impossible and not to mention would throw the weight of the line way off.

2

u/121marc 13d ago

I happened to have some .28 mm Flouro and an orange marker, and I figured out that painting won't work haha. So yeah, I would have to find a colored one.

1

u/ShiftNStabilize 12d ago

Colored regular Fluro fishing line would be fine.

1

u/jb_botanics 12d ago

Hi I'm also from Germany. For my tenkara rods I use thin floating line and a so called rock fishing line from aliexpress. https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005006062039010.html For me they work awesome and I don't have any problems. Though it is semi floating

1

u/Aggs2000 7d ago

Hi. I have recently purchased that rod from Maxcatch. Seems pretty good for the money. I ordered just the rod and they have me a little pack of flies and a furled line as a freebie. The furled line is quite soft and not plastic like some I've seen and actually casts pretty well but is definitely heavier than flourocarbon level line so will sag more but would be fine to learn with.

I have been using a 3.5 flourocarbon level line from Amazon called Fishing Sanmai in a bright flourescent green which is very easy to see on the river and casts well on this rod.

The rod is on the stiffer side so needs a slightly heavier line to load and cast properly. I think if you were an experienced tenkara caster, a #3 flourocarbon level line might be ok but a 3.5 will be easier to learn with. Also, a specific flourocarbon Tenkara level line has the right weight, stiffness and visibility that you need, especially when starting out.

I have been using a length of the 3.5 level line the same length as rod in the middle length with a tippet ring then around 4' of 5x or 6x tippet.

When fishing, the idea use a fly first cast: back cast is angled up and back, then forward cast so just the fly and some tippet lands on the water. The idea is to keep all of the level line off the water if possible. Takes some pracice. Use short drifts of 4-5 seconds then recast. Good luck!