There are a lot of different lines out in the market these days. I remember when I had started out, I didn’t know the difference between all of them. With all of the options offered by different companies, what line is right for you?
Whether just learning to cast, or looking for a different line to try out, this article will cover a handful of different line types and some of the applications that I’ve found they work best for.
Before we get started, I just wanted to mention that this article is about casting lines. Tippet choice can be a can of worms, and anglers have their own preferences. The same could be said about casting lines, but the goal of this post is to give a little overview of the different options out there.
Tenkara Lines
First off, my suggestion is going to be to buy a line that is designed and produced to be used with a tenkara rod. While there are people out there whose line preferences aren’t meant for tenkara, buying a casting line specifically designed to be used with a tenkara rod will save you the time and experimentation it takes to find an alternative line.
Tapered Lines
When it comes to casting lines, there are two different types of line profiles that you’ll often see when shopping - Tapered lines, and level lines. Tapered lines will vary in thickness with more material where you attach the line to the lillian, and a thinner tip section where you tie the tippet on. Tapered lines can be made of a single strand of material or “furled” using multiple strands twisted together.
Furled Lines
Generally speaking, furled lines are easier to cast, and are also heavier than most other line options out there. Being that they are made up of multiple strands of material, they come in premade lengths, with a loop at the end that you use to connect the line to your lillian.
Back when I was first learning to fish with a tenkara rod, I had purchased a tapered furled line. It was that line that really helped me to learn to cast. I still keep one around and reach for it whenever I go to teach someone how to cast a tenkara rod. What makes them a good choice for someone learning to cast, is that they are soft and supple. The weight of the line can help aid in learning to load the rod on casts.
While the weight can help aid in learning to cast, it’s also the reason I see many anglers move away from tapered furled lines. That weight creates sag in the line, and in turn drags the fly back toward the rod tip. The more sag, the faster the fly moves.
Another thing to be wary of with furled lines is that they can be ruined by snags. Sometimes pulling on the line when it gets snagged can cause it to become twisted and deformed after getting it free.
Tapered Nylon Lines
There are other options for tapered lines as well. Fujino is a Japanese company that produces tapered nylon lines. These lines come in pre-cut lengths, but the material of the line allows you to cut off any extra length you may not want. Nylon tapered lines are a lighter option than the furled lines, and offer similar performance when casting due to the taper. They are generally softer lines, and often have a fair amount of memory (that spiral look to the line after it comes off the spool). Luckily, they do have a bit of stretch, and giving the line a bit of a pull as you’re setting up helps to straighten it out.
It’s worth noting that nylon takes dye well, and lines made of this material tend to be bright and easy to see - making it a good choice for those who rely on being able to see their casting line.
I personally like to use tapered nylon lines in faster moving water when I know the current will keep the fly moving downstream instead of back toward the rod tip, or where I may be casting larger or heavier flies that I know will be presented under the surface.
Along with the furled and nylon tapered lines, there are a few options out there for tapered floating lines. But I will come back to floating lines a little later in this post.
Level Lines
The other line profile you’ll see is “Level Lines.” These lines have the same diameter throughout the entire length of the line. They often come on spools, giving the angler the ability to cut a line to their desired length. While level lines can require a bit more practice to cast, they are often the preferred line choice for tenkara anglers. What seems to draw most anglers to this option is the weight of a level line compared to the length. It allows you to keep your flies at a distance without as much sag in the line as tapered options.
With level line mostly being a cut-to-length option, they do not come with a convenient loop at the end and will require tying a type of slip knot to attach the line to the lillian, or adding your own loop.
Fluorocarbon Level Lines
Fluorocarbon level lines are the most common options you’ll find in the market. The material is tough and abrasion resistant. With a variety of sizes offered, you can find a line to fit your needs, and cut whatever length you want to fish while still having extra line left on the spool.
Unlike nylon, fluorocarbon doesn’t dye as well and isn’t as vibrant. You can often find orange, pink, green, and yellow level lines offered from different manufacturers and order whichever color you think will be the easiest for you to spot. Personally, I have found the green level line from Shimotsuke to be the easiest to see in my experience, but I’ve only tried out a few brands. If a vibrant color isn’t your thing, there are more “camouflage” options available on the market as well.
I generally like to fish level lines in most applications. It’s a versatile option that allows me to fish most conditions and waters I face.
Nylon Level Lines
Much like with tapered lines, you can also find level line made from nylon. These lines are often very light, but also difficult to cast. One major drawback to nylon level line is that it is very easily affected by wind. Even a light breeze can influence the presentation of the fly when using a nylon level line.
While I personally don’t find much use in fishing with nylon level lines, they can be a great option for someone who’s looking for a light, delicate presentation when landing a fly on the surface. The light weight material also reduces the amount of drag the line has on the fly as it’s suspended on the surface.
These lines can also help you to really dial in your cast as they tend to distribute kinetic energy poorly. This will definitely point out any spot of your casting stroke that may need refinement
Level Line Numbers
When shopping for level line, you’ll often see a number associated with the lines. The numbers indicate the diameter of the line. The higher the number, the thicker (and heavier) the line will be. Generally speaking, thicker lines cast easier than a line from the same brand but in a smaller diameter. Level line in a #4 will be much easier to cast than a #2. It seems most anglers find #3 or #3.5 to be the happy medium.
Furled Level Lines
While level lines are most commonly found in fluorocarbon or monofilament, there are furled options out there as well. These are similar to the tapered furled lines, just that the level line options maintain the same thickness throughout the length of the line. If you’re interested in checking out a furled level line from a friend of ours, Dennis Vander Houwen makes lines, which you can purchase on his Etsy store - Tenkara Path
Specialty Lines
As tenkara grows in popularity, there are more specialty lines being produced to fit the different needs of anglers all over. Outside of the more common options out there, there’s a good chance you may find a line that may better suit your fishing style.
Floating Lines
Coming in both level and tapered options, floating lines are often coated in pvc so that they stay afloat on the surface. Due to the coating these lines are often heavy, and more commonly used by those who fish still water. One advantage to the coating is that these lines are often very visible, and come in plenty of colors that add to that visibility.
A floating line is a good option for someone who wants to be able to cast a fly out and be able to leave the line on the water so that the fly stays closer to one location without dragging back to the rod tip. I see this most often used by those who fish still water with a tenkara rod.
Nymphing Lines
For those who like to utilize nymphing tactics with their tenkara rods, there is one option that I know of out there specifically designed for tenkara. While I haven’t used the line, the “Tactical Tenkara Nymphing Line” from Royal Gorge Anglers is a unique option I haven’t seen replicated by any other manufacturers.
Fujino Straight Line
This is another unique line worth mentioning. Produced by Fujino, the “Tenkara Straight Line” is a level line made up of a plaited polyarylate (don’t ask me what that means). It comes in a yellow color, pre-cut lengths with a loop to attach to the lillian on one end and a section of a braided nylon sighter at the other end. I believe this line is roughly the same diameter as a #3.5 level line, for those who may be interested in knowing this. It is also a line offered through the Dragontail website.
In my experience with this line, it is soft and casts almost like a furled line. It is also very easily affected by the wind.
With so many options available, there really is a line for everyone out there. No matter how you like to fish with a tenkara rod, it seems that there’s a piece of gear for almost any application. To make it easy, I made a short pros and cons list with the lines covered in this article, and have included it below as a quick reference!
Furled Lines (Tapered and Level)
Pros: Soft, and easy to cast. The weight can help to load the rod.
Cons: Snagging can ruin the line. The weight of the line can pull the fly back to you faster than other options.
Well done!
this is a great article and very well done
Probably the most comprehensive list I have seen so far. As many options as we have, I still find myself reaching for a stealthy Fluorocarbon Level Line. In my opinion, its just the right line for downstream presentations.