Overview

The Zen Tenkara Taka is Zen's big-fish zoom rod. It fishes at 13' or 15', has a 7:3 flex for backbone, and is made from what Zen calls the highest quality IM carbon fiber available, to keep it both light and strong.

Zen rates the Taka at roughly a 7 to 8 wt fly rod and designs it for big, powerful species in fresh and salt water: sockeye, chum, king and silver salmon in Alaska, and redfish, peacock bass, golden dorado, barracuda, triggerfish and bonefish further south, as well as heavy brown trout on float trips. A long 15 1/4" handle gives you more fighting strength. It comes with a spare tip, a rod sock and a carbon fiber travel tube.

Zen Tenkara Taka Specs

Line and Tippet

Zen says the Taka casts its long Zen Fusion Lines effortlessly as well as traditional tenkara lines, and lists it among the rods its Fusion LIGHT and Mid-Weight lines pair best with. Use up to 12 lb test tippet; Zen allows 16 lb test for highly experienced tenkara and fly anglers who are used to moving their feet to follow a fish.

Who the Taka Is For

The Taka is for anglers who want to take tenkara after salmon, saltwater flats species and other big fish, and want two lengths to work with. If you fish big water but mostly for trout, the Zen Tenkara Sagi is lighter at 3.5 oz and fixed at 13'6" with a FRAE of 7 wt. For everyday trout water, the 12' Zen Tenkara Zako or the Zen Tenkara Grab-n-Go Zako Starter Kit is the better fit; the Zen Tenkara Suimenka gives you nymph and dry fly tips in one rod; and the Tenkara USA Rhodo is built for small, brushy streams.

Zen Tenkara Taka FAQ

What line should I use on the Taka?

Zen's long Fusion Lines, especially LIGHT and Mid-Weight, or traditional tenkara lines.

What tippet strength?

Up to 12 lb test, or 16 lb test for highly experienced anglers, as Zen recommends.

Which length should I fish?

The Taka zooms between 13' and 15', so you can shorten it when space is tight and extend it when you need more reach over big water.

What is included?

The rod, a spare tip, a rod sock and a carbon fiber travel tube.

What is the warranty?

Zen Tenkara covers its rods with what it calls its No Hassles warranty. Every section of a Zen rod can be replaced, and Zen sells replacement sections so a break is fixed by swapping out the broken piece. See Zen Tenkara's warranty policy for the current terms.