I had a holster made for my Mini. I had a sleeve made for my wading stick and it was the perfect size for my Nissin Mini so I had another one sewed up. Depending on how I feel, I can carry either force…
I use this sleeve for transport or hanging it off my wading belt or pack. It’s always with me. I am used to these small rods as I’ve used them a lot.
They work well.
it took me a second, but I totally get what you’re saying about crowding the tip. The time I hooked into way big of trout and wound up breaking my Nissin Sakon- had I been using a longer line and gave the fish time/room, it would not have happened.
Thank you Chris, sometimes I am unable to get the idea across. I use descriptions that make sense to me, sometimes they only make sense to me.
I’m not looking to sell anyone on anything, I don’t care about that. I do enjoy sharing what I know and learning what I can.
At a minimum, a 3 to 4m rod needs a line of at least 1.5 - 2m longer than the rod, that’s the mainline, not the total with tippet length. It’s a hassle to learn but after a season or two, it just makes sense. You learn other things to be able to use that long line effectively. Using long lines has helped my hand line finish to net fish or land them in hand big time.
Everyone short lines their rod, I say at least 1.5m longer than the rod at a minimum.
I believe this is best for me.
I used mine yesterday for a non planned fishing session during a family vacation. Totally did the trick. #untenkara 2 bass and 2 bream at a lake in Missouri.
I pair it with the V3 270 for a little versatility.
I am using a 4.5m #3.5 custom level line with it.
I’m warming up to it.
There is something to how it disappears and then you think fishing and it suddenly reappears!
My kit is super compact and the Wrong kebari now is up to nine states, two countries and at least 11 species of fish.
I am really enjoying tenkara and the Nissin Mini is augmenting my enthusiasm.
Sounds like a blast. I didn’t use my Tenkara Mini much this season. I want to use it more next season. I’ll have to try and get up to a couple of streams before they get snowed in. It may already be too late since the temps just dropped dramatically.
It’s such a perfect fit for me.
I always bring a compact rod with me, not planning to use it but I have the best time with it!
Parallel to my minimalist tenkara kit, I am always working on my travel kit. I place a lot of importance on it because when I actually use it, I have so much fun with it. I end up learning a hell of a lot about tenkara from my travel kit.
It’s just this odd thing that I do that is a different path but one in the same.
It really gives me a whole other area to develop that’s useful without being an accessory or distraction from minimalism. I think that’s what I like about my travel kit, it helps me to know what I can get away with in terms of having so little to do so much with.
I carry less than 18 kebari, a third of those are from my Japanese friends, the rest are a mix of wrong kebari and flys that must be in that small plastic box, soon to be a wood box that I’ll have made.
The Nissin Tenkara Mini and the V3 270 are it for me.
Not my favorite rods, but rods that have demanded their way into my choices, half the rods I own. 2.7m to 5m with the other two in other sweet spots.
I think I’d always want to take my TF39TA on trips though since it handles everything up from the mini so well. Sometimes I don’t know what kinds of rivers / creeks and such I’m going to be finding so I like to have the bases covered. Of course that moves away from minimalism a bit maybe. I want to lean out my whole kit a bunch. It’s too easy to get into gear paralysis where I pack to fears instead of reality.
I started out with two rods, the Furaibo for tenkara and the Suimu for honryu and that made me happy.
Two rods.
That’s after a decade and early on I imported Japanese made rods about the first year and taught many people how to order from Japan and helped get Keiichi going. I bought and tried dozens of rods. I had amassed quite a quiver of many fine rods but realized I wasn’t getting any better at fishing.
I was getting better at shopping.
I knew that focusing on skill was the best thing and started studying how to do that and it all reinforces the minimalist approach.
So I decided to stop buying and start learning.
Plan your work and work your plan.
The two rods above worked their way into my quiver. They ended up being exactly what I needed.
The Furaibo actually could serve as my travel rod. It covers quite a range but travel has its own risks with caveats such as bags left in cars, hotel rooms and getting tossed around and stuffed.
I don’t want my one tenkara rod going through that set of circumstances. I had already developed an excellent travel kit with the V3. I already even overdeveloped it. I took it to Japan after using the kit for a full season as a primary rod. I sold the three rods to a friend for a song after committing to my two rod quiver. Not a bad decision but not the effect I was looking for.
The Tenkara Mini came out and was the only thing I could see I wanted in that rod. I bought one breaking the promise to myself to stay at two rods. I used it a couple of times not really liking it compared to my Furaibo. But I was comparing apples to oranges.
I still had the components to my travel kit. I filled it out using the successful recipe and realized I was compromised in a sub 3m rod. One thing (more) lead to another and I repurchased a v3 270.
My two rod quiver suddenly grew 100% to four.
But it really divided.
The Mini and the v3 will be used what they were designed for. Each rod serving as parts for the other. Never broke one but the two go together well and that 270? One of my favorite top four rods! Literally. The 270 will fill in tight quarters skills that would just be a lesson in futility with my Furaibo. 50cm doesn’t sound like a lot but 6” can be a deal breaker squatting under the first boughs of the pines in a western headwater stream.
Unplanned tenkara and in the case of this weeks travel and living in hotels and on the road, fishing (#untenkara.) This travel kit to me makes sense and fits my idea of developing my skills as a traveling tenkara fisherman.
I travel quite a bit. I always take my favorite rods when I’m on a planned tenkara journey. My travel kit is always with me if there is no chance at fishing.
This is what works for me. It has been working so I’m still working it. My Furaibo is my primary tenkara rod. The travel kit covers the song yet to be sung.
I enjoy order mixed with a little spice of chaos.
That’s a life of family man with a little fishing always there if I can steal away for a few moments. But really, this is the story of my tenkara. Really just two rods with an asterisk*
That’s where I’m at.
I’m pretty sure that’s where I’ll be for quite some time.
Finally have one on the way. Can’t wait to give it a test drive. Thank you to all who have contributed to this thread. Very helpful in my thought process. I am really getting into the smaller kits. Less is more right? I mean it’s funny how tenkara in and of itself is a minimalist approach and yet I have a collection of gear! Truly excited though as I love this concept
Was able to fish the new mini today. First off, love the collapsed size and look. Pics don’t do it justice. Having it in hand made me really appreciate the rod. Nissin does a great job as usual. Line was 11ft of 3.5 level line and a few feet of 2lb tippet. Weightless black killer bugger as seen in Tenkarabum.com was the fly of choice.
Extended out the rod is nice and light. Cast were smooth and effortless. I was really pleased with the smooth action for a rod with so many short sections. Just awesome!
After the first few white bass I grew increasingly confident in the rod. It’s not a rod I would abuse for sure. I was impressed with the control the rod had after landing many feisty bass. Rod was extremely sensitive in my hands detecting light bites of smaller fish without any issue. If your on the fence thinking of buying the rod it’s time to jump. Everything I thought it would be. Time and fishing will be the ultimate judge. This rod offers adventure now readiness and does not disappoint.
Looks like a blast. I also had a hard time removing the plastic the first couple of times, I didn’t want it to get marked up. It is a fun rod to fish and the collapsed size is just amazing.
Notice the new lengths available.
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