Soyokaze 27SR Stress Test

by Harold B
(Indiana)

I got the Soyokaze 27SR today. I have been fishing with an Amago from Tenkara USA for two years. The Soyokaze 27SR looked very light. Had to try it so I took it to a nearby pond with lots of bluegill. I put the orange #3 line you gave me on it (thanks for the gift I appreciate it). Some of the bluegill in this pond are pretty good size so I used a 6X tippet I had (3.2#). I was afraid it might be too much for the rod, but I didn't think the 8X I bought would hold the larger bluegill. Got to pond, cast a couple times; really different feel than the Amago. Flipped a one-inch black twister tail on a #14 hook out along the moss and it was snapped up by a 6" bluegill. The rod handled it well, actually easier than I expected, it is soft on the end but has a good bit of backbone.

Cast to about the same spot, the water boiled as a large mouth bass about 15" swirled to the surface. He took the little twister tail. After a couple zig zags in the water the fish realized he was hooked, and headed out for deeper water. Now what should I do? I have a big fish, a pretty strong tippet and a very light pole. I kept the pole about 45 degrees hoping to reduce the stress on it, at this point I would be happy to see the tippet break. The tippet didn't break and my little rod was really stressed. The bass turned against the strain of the line, surged to the surface and leaped into the air, throwing the hook free. The little Soyokaze 27SR passed it first stress test.

After catching a few more bluegill, I landed a 8" large mouth bass. I was really impressed how well the little rod handled a fish of that size. The bass finished off my little twister tail, so I tied on one of your killer bugs. It cast beautifully and brought in several more bluegills.

The Soyokaze 27 is wonderful to cast, just a flick of the wrist rolls the line out it's full length effortlessly, and drops the fly in the water silently. It is almost like the rod is not there, the fly just shoots across the water because you willed it. It is the smoothest casting rod I have ever experienced. Caught a couple dozen fish in about an hour. I love the rod, a great tool for smaller fish.

I am not sure about using the 6X tippet, the rod held up today, but I fear it may be too strong for the rod. I would rather break the tippet than the rod. Have you any insight on the maxim that this rod can handle safely.

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” - Benjamin Franklin

"Be sure in casting, that your fly fall first into the water, for if the line fall first, it scares or frightens the fish..." -
Col. Robert Venables 1662

As age slows my pace, I will become more like the heron.

We've all had situations where seriously chewed up flies kept catching fish after fish after fish. It is no sin to tie flies that come off the vise looking seriously chewed up.

Seriously, all the hooks sold on TenkaraBum.com, whether packaged as loose hooks or incorporated into flies, are sharp - or as Daiichi says on their hook packages, Dangerously Sharp. Some have barbs, which make removal from skin, eyes or clothing difficult. Wear eye protection. Wear a broad-brimmed hat. If you fish with or around children, bend down all hook barbs and make sure the children wear eye protection and broad-brimmed hats. Be aware of your back cast so no one gets hooked.

Also, all the rods sold on TenkaraBum.com will conduct electricity. Do not, under any circumstances, fish during a thunder storm. Consider any fishing rod to be a lightning rod! Fishing rods can and do get hit by lightning!