Tenkara is often portrayed as being for little waters and little fish. I can understand this misinterpretation, as often when I scroll through tenkara social media feeds I see picture after picture of tiny little trout held for the camera as if it’s a trophy. Now, I understand what the presenter is trying to show, but people ignorant of tenkara and small stream fishing may not understand. They may get the wrong message – a message that we as tenkara anglers only catch small fish.
But we know that this is incorrect. Tenkara can handle some pretty large fish! However, to do so on a fixed line requires the right gear and flawless technique. I’m not a big fish tenkara angler, but even I catch large trout occasionally, whether I’m trying to or not. But to do this, I have to use a rod designed to handle the forces generated by these large fish during the battle.
To answer the call for a Japanese large fish tenkara rod, in 2020 Shimano introduced the BG Tenkara 48NV, their largest and strongest tenkara rod. “BG” stands for “big game” and Shimano states that this 4.8 meter tenkara rod is designed for large “large trout over 50cm” (about 20 inches). Shimano also states that the rod “has the power and tenacity to stop the sprint of large fish running down the current, and the flexibility to easily cast light [flies] and manipulate a level line.”
For some time I’ve wanted to fish this rod, so I picked one up and set about giving it a work out.
Overview
The Shimano BG Tenkara 48NV comes in a classic Japanese plastic rod carton and has a provided rod sock. The rod’s overall coloration is dark green with a glossy finish. Accents are rare, with only a simple silver paint band on the tip-ward portion of the T6 (handle) section. The rod designation is simple, as is the branding logo.
The handle is long at 43.5 cm (17 inches). It is made up of a shorter cork portion and a longer EVA foam portion. These sections are separated by a metal ring which is printed with “BG Tenkara”. The foam portion has an elongated hyotan gourd or hourglass shape.
The tip plug is wood with a fluted rubber insertion post. It fits very tightly into the handle segment. The butt cap is gold anodized metal, has a coin slot to aid in its removal and a small decompression hole.
The lilian is dark brown and is attached to the T1 (tip) segment via a perfectly executed glue joint. The rod can be completely disassembled for cleaning and drying.
Measurements
| Characteristic | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Sections: | 6 |
| Nested (w/tip plug): | 97 cm (38 inches) |
| Extended: | 475.5 cm (15 ft, 7 in.) |
| Handle Length: | 43.5 cm (17 inches) |
| Weight (w/o tip plug): | 131.7 g (4.6 oz.) |
| CCS | 21 pennies |
| RFI | 4.4 / 5:5 Moderate, Mid Flex |
| Rotational Moment | 11.5 |
| Tippet Rating: | 3X / 8.5 lbs. |
Performance
The 48NV is a big rod, and it casts like one. There’s a lot of rod moving through the air, and so the casting strokes are slow and deliberate. As can be seen from the 10 Penny Bend Profile, the rod bends through the T2-3 sections while the T1 section remains relatively stiff. This design is classic Shimano and is achieved by a hollow T1 section. Note that the Gamakatsu Suimu 5.0 meter rod has a somewhat similar bend profile. The shorter Gamakatsu Suimu 4.5 meter rod has a solid T1 section which is more flexible than the Shimano 48NV’s T1, but the T2-3 sections are quite stiff.
The flex action of the 48NV allows the rod to load easily. Although it’s reported that Dr. Ishigaki recommends size 4 fluorocarbon level line with the 48NV, I found that it casts well with level line down to size 2 fluorocarbon.
I mainly cast the rod single handed, but it is designed to accommodate two handed casting, if this is a preference of the angler. As you would imagine with a weight of 131 grams and a rotational moment of 11.5, casting the rod single handed get tiring in a hurray. Still, switching hand positions and casting two handed quickly takes the fatigue away.
I fished the 48NV with one or two tungsten Euro competition nymphs as well as a #16 BWO dry/dropper set up. It handled both configurations equally well. And while I didn’t fish the rod for hours on end, the multiple two and a half hour sessions that I experimented with the rod didn’t fatigue me nearly as much as I though they would.
I caught trout from ten inches to twenty inches using the 48NV. Smaller fish were fun and easily subdued, while the larger fish took a little more time to get to the net. With the larger fish, the rod bent almost to the handle, but I never felt out of control or under gunned.
Conclusion
I really like the Shimano BG Tenkara 48NV. It casts very similarly to the Gamakatsu Suimu 5.0 meter tenkara rod and has a similar slow, rich casting stroke. It casts well either single or double handed and it throws a light level line beautifully. When fighting large trout, the entire rod participates in the fight, acting like a large shock absorber. Tippet protection is excellent.
If you are in the market for a Japanese tenkara big trout rod, then this might be the one for you. Bear in mind, the Shimano BG Tenkara 48NV is not designed for steelhead, salmon, or other larger species, but it can handle trout into the mid-20’s without making you feel worried. It’s a perfect rod for honryu tenkara – big waters, big trout!
Disclaimer: My opinion regarding this rod is just that, my opinion. Your opinion may differ. Also, your rod may not have the same length, issues, or functionality as my rod. There are variations between rods, even in the same production run. No description can fully tell you how a rod feels or fishes. For this, you must personally hold, cast, and fish the rod then make up your own mind. I purchased the Shimano BG Tenkara 48NV at full retail price.
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Tom, I agree with your assessment of the rod. In early March I fished with it for three days on the San Juan and didn’t ever feel fatigued. It handles large fish easily and is a joy to cast.