Zen Tenkara
The seven-rod Zen line, 6'10" to 15', FRAE-rated from 2 wt to 8 wt, with big-water and two-handed rods.
- Models
- 7
- Length
- 6.8'–15.0'
- Price
- $211–$310
- Type
- Pole
- Discipline
- Tenkara
Zen Tenkara has no series structure: the line is seven named rods, so the brand doubles as the series. All are telescopic tenkara rods on carbon blanks with EVA or cork handles, each listed with a flex ratio and a FRAE fly-weight equivalency and shipped with a spare tip, rod sock and carbon-fiber travel case. The catalog lists zoom rods at their longest setting.
The light end is the Hachi (6'10", 1.5 oz, 5:5 flex, 2 to 3 wt) and the Suzume tri-zoom (7.7' / 9.3' / 10.8', 2.3 oz, 6:4, 3 wt), the award-winning small-stream rod. The Zako (12', 3 oz, 6:4, 5 wt) is the all-purpose rod and the base of the Grab-n-Go starter kit. The Suimenka (3.5 oz, 6 wt) ships with two tips: a stiff nymphing tip fishing 9' or 11' and a soft dry-fly tip fishing 10' or 12'.
The big-water rods are the Sagi (13'6", 3.5 oz, 7 wt), on high-modulus IM carbon and able to cast PVC fly lines as well as tenkara lines; the Taka (13' / 15' zoom, 4.5 oz, 7:3 flex, 7 to 8 wt) for salmon, redfish and dorado on up to 16 lb test; and the Kyojin II Spey (12', 4.9 oz, 6:4, 8 wt), a two-handed rod with a 15.75 in handle. The Performance Tip fits all but the Hachi and Kyojin. Prices run $211 to $310.
Deeper Dive
A closer look at notable models.
The smallest Zen rod: a 6'10", 1.5 oz full-flex 5:5 that packs to 16 in for overgrown creeks and backpacking, rated like a 2 to 3 wt fly rod.
The tri-zoom small-stream rod, fishing 7.7' to 10.8' at 2.3 oz with a 6:4 flex and a 3 wt equivalency; winner of the Fly Fishing Show consumer choice award.
The all-purpose 12 ft Zako, a 3 oz 6:4 rod rated like a 5 wt, covering small brook trout through large browns and the base of the brand's starter kit.
A nymphing rod and a dry-fly rod in one: two interchangeable tips give 9' / 11' or 10' / 12' with different actions, at 3.5 oz and a 6 wt equivalency.
A two-handed 12 ft spey-style tenkara rod with a 15.75 in handle and an 8 wt equivalency, for carp, salmon and saltwater fish to 16 lb test.
A 13'6" big-water rod at 3.5 oz that casts PVC fly lines as well as tenkara lines, rated like a 7 wt, for streamers and fish from brook trout to bonefish.
The big-fish zoom rod at 13' or 15' with a 7:3 flex and a 15 in handle, rated like a 7 to 8 wt for salmon, redfish and dorado.
Rods in this series
| Save | Model | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hachi | 6'10" | Buy from Zen Tenkara | |
| Suzume | 10'10"Z | Buy from Zen Tenkara | |
| Zako | 12' | Buy from Zen Tenkara | |
| Suimenka | 12'Z | Buy from Zen Tenkara | |
| Kyojin II Spey | 12' | Buy from Zen Tenkara | |
| Sagi | 13'6" | Buy from Zen Tenkara | |
| Taka | 15'Z | Buy from Zen Tenkara |
Z Zoom rod: fishes at two or more locked lengths. The length shown is the longest setting; the shorter settings are listed in the rod's notes.