What fly rod/reel would you all recommend for targeting big bream and panfish?

Right here: http://www.tenkarausa.com/index.php

 

Don't have one, but am fascinated by the concept. Personally I can't stand "normal" fly fishing. But this looks fun.

Right here: http://www.tenkarausa.com/index.php

 

Don't have one, but am fascinated by the concept. Personally I can't stand "normal" fly fishing. But this looks fun.

 

Right here: http://www.tenkarausa.com/index.php

 

Don't have one, but am fascinated by the concept. Personally I can't stand "normal" fly fishing. But this looks fun.

 

You may have turned me onto something here...if I end up pulling the trigger I'll definitely get back to you how I like it

You may have turned me onto something here...if I end up pulling the trigger I'll definitely get back to you how I like it

 

Let me also point you to this web site which has less expensive versions of Tenkara rods:

 

allfishingbuy.com (I've bought from them in the past). http://www.allfishingbuy.com/Tenkara-Rods.htm

 

They are a distributor for Japanese manufacturers. Purchased a graphite long-pole from them as well as several floats. Nice folks to deal with in my experience.

Thanks for the tip Darren!

I love to fish for panfish with a fly.I think a good all around rod is between 4-5 weight. I use a Redington outfit I picked up for $100 bucks came with rod,reel,line.

Tenkara is a lot of fun.

 

I would go with a 3wt for panfish myself.  A 4 wt also will work but a 5wt i feel is to heavy.  And by to heavy it doesn't really affect the catching but it is kind of like if you were pitching a jig with a MH or H rod and caught a bluegill.  Yeah it works but it isn't as much fun as if you had caught him on an ultralight.

 

Also remember that the weight of the fly rod is as much a reflection on the size of flies you are looking to throw as it is the size of the fish.  I have landed quite a few 20"+ brown trout, smallmouth and 15+lb carp on my 4 wt.

Tenkara is a good technique for bluegills, keep in mind the rods are pretty long (12 to 14 ft) and are better suited for dry flies rather than poppers. A conventional fly rod in a 3 weight is a better choice in my opinion, especially for subsurface flies (I catch far larger bluegills on sinking spiders). "Bluegill Fly Fishing & Flies", by Terry & Roxanne Wilson is a great book on the subject.

Slow sinking spiders are killers....the less movement you give the fly the better in my experience.