Rayz
Parabolic-action Japanese native trout rods; mountain stream to main river, 4'10"–9'1"
- Models
- 11
- Length
- 4.8'–9.1'
- Type
- Casting / Spinning
The Tenryu Rayz is a Japanese native trout series designed for mountain stream, clear-river, and lake lure fishing made for yamame (cherry salmon), amago, iwana (char), and large-river trout. It is sold as the standard entry into Tenryu's trout lineup, below the Rayz Spectra flagship but with the same parabolic action philosophy. Target angler: the intermediate to experienced Japanese native trout angler using minnow plugs, spoons, and spinners in moving water. Blanks are slim, lightweight, high-modulus carbon with a small glass fiber content (92-98% carbon depending on model) and a defining parabolic (R) action throughout the entire lineup.
Reel seats combine natural wood and Nishijin textile, a traditional Japanese fabric technique, for an aesthetically distinctive grip section. Guides are Titanium frame KL-H with SiC rings on spinning models; casting models use smaller titanium-frame LRV guides with SiC-S rings. All models are 2-piece. Rod weights range from 73g (RZ4102S-UL) to 151g (RZ912S-H). The 11-model lineup spans 4'10" to 9'1" across spinning and baitcasting configurations. Short models (4'10", 5'4") in both S and B types are mountain stream twitching and jerking tools for tight-cover small-pocket work.
Mid-length 6'3"–6'10" spinners target limpid stream and mid-river yamame. The 7'1" and 7'7" models handle main river and larger water. Long models (8'4" S and B, 9'1" S) target big trout in major rivers and lakes with heavier spoons and jigs.
Deeper Dive
A closer look at notable models.
Spinning counterpart to the RZ4102S-UL, same length and UL power but spinning reel seat. 4'10" twitching model for mountain stream small-lure work. At 73g it is the lightest model in the series, optimized for all-day small-stream fishing with minimal fatigue.
Note: listed as casting type (B) in Tenryu specs despite 'S' suffix in model name, the spec table confirms B (baitcasting) type. 4'10" UL twitching rod for mountain stream micro-pocket work. MAX 6g lure, MAX 4lb line. Designed for accurate short casts into tight bush.
L+ (LML) power designation bridges the gap between L and ML, a Tenryu-specific notation. At 6'10" this is the Super Yamame model per manufacturer description, made for large cherry salmon in limpid stream to mid-river. MAX 12g lures.
MLM (ML+) power, baitcasting at 7'1". The Variable-Hounder, a traditional baitcasting role for technical main-stream and creek applications made for giant trout in heavy bush. Tenryu's spec lists MAX 20g lures and MAX 10lb, making this the heaviest non-8'+ casting entry.
Longest and heaviest model. H power at 9'1" with MAX 30g lures (including metal jigs) and MAX 16lb serves crude, undeveloped-area trout in major rivers and lakes at distance. A distinct use case from all other models, more akin to light sea trout fishing than mountain stream work.
Rods in this series
| Model | Length | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| RZ4102B-UL | 4'10" | UL | — |
| RZ4102S-UL | 4'10" | UL | — |
| RZ542B-L | 5'4" | L | — |
| RZ542S-L | 5'4" | L | — |
| RZ632S-L | 6'3" | L | — |
| RZ6102S-LML | 6'10" | L+ | — |
| RZ712B-MLM | 7'1" | ML+ | — |
| RZ772S-ML | 7'7" | ML | — |
| RZ842B-MMH | 8'4" | MH | — |
| RZ842S-MMH | 8'4" | MH | — |
| RZ912S-H | 9'1" | H | — |