Tenryu Lunakia Rods

There is always a difficulty in accurately describing a legendary rod in the Light Rock Fishing community. A rod with a Max 5 gr, or Max 10 gr Casting Weight depending on the model, so light and so powerful at the same time. Even if you rig a silicone bait with an 1 gr jig head, the Lunakia LK610 rod comes alive, as the fine tubular tip is soft, yet extremely fast actioned. At the same time the LK752S can master a 10 gr plug. When you get closer to the Max Casting Weight you will be impressed with the strength of the blank when casting. Strength that you cannot see, you can not feel… but it is there.

The Lunakia rod series includes many models, such as the LK582S-LS, or the LK632S-LMLS. Both the LK752S and LKS610ML are tubular molded blanks, slightly stronger models than those. Interestingly, Tenryu does not label these rods as belonging either in the Ajing, or the Mebaru category. They list them as rods for the "Rockfish Game", or "Light Game" and indicate they are for both Aji and Mebaru. The solid-tipped rods have the very fast, tip action of an Ajing rod, while the tubular-tipped rod has the mid flex action one would expect of a Mebaru rod. The Tenryu Lunakia is a truly hybrid rod, that can serve you both when you need sensitivity and versatility, to address a wide number of species. They bend parabolically when tension is applied. They are LRF rods with moderate action, with a high degree of operability. The two are really quite different. Both are extremely sensitive rods - but they are sensitive in very different ways.

The solid tip vibrates and bends noticeably with the take of even a small fish. The solid tip is very thin and very flexible. If you fish by watching the rod tip, you'll love the solid tip Lunakia rods. When fishing a small spoon you can see the rod tip vibrate, even before you feel it, as the rod tip reacts to the slightest change in line tension.

So one question that pops up in the mind of any Finesse angler is why did Tenryu chose a Tubular blank for this work of art, as opposed to a solid one and the explanation lays in the Tip’s Repulsion, or the return speed to its original state. The tubular tip isn't nearly as flexible as the solid tip. What that does though, is to transmit the slightest tap from the line straight to your hand. You can feel when a fish takes a jig, when the jig hits a rock, when it slides across a bottom that is sandy, or muddy, but not rocky, when you hook a leaf. The rod is extremely sensitive in that it transmits the slightest "tic" on the line. You will be surprised at how much you will be able to feel from the fight of even a small fish.

Another one of the main characteristics of a tubular tip is that the return speed is faster and more intensive than that of solid tip rods. This was one of the main points the field testers reported to Tenryu, after a prototype was developed. That this rod needed a little more thrust, when bent (when fish is caught). They needed the rod to leave a sharp feeling to the angler and produce a flexible bending curve, when load was applied. What Tenryu wanted to create was an Ultra Light Game rod that resonates with the anglers’ senses. A rod that responds to various light game tactics, from ultra finesse style to aggressive style in rock shore fishing. The bold weight reduction and the latest blank molding technology stimulate the angler's sense and hunting instinct. From that point onwards, the tubular blank was the only way forward. A great deal of the sensitivity provided by the tubular structure of the blank – a degree of sensitivity that does not miss a bite - is the direct result of the Magna Flex technology.

The Magna Flex technology is all about the fusion of different materials and the methodology used. Up until recently, the blanks were cut and joined together, but the introduction of this manufacturing method made it possible to produce one blank at the stage of firing.

Materials with different characteristics are roughly divided into two types; Carbon and Glass. But Carbon itself has different properties, depending on the elastic modulus. The Magna Flex technology is a manufacturing method in which Glass and Carbon with different elastic moduli can be formed into tubular blanks.

There are two manufacturing methods of Magna Flex: the Glass Flex and Carbon Flex. The Lunakia LK6102S-MLT and LK752S-MMHT have been made with the Carbon Flex method at a ratio 94% to 6% in favor of the Carbon material.

But this combination of innovations from the designers, brought about other benefits, such as the unique ability of the Lunakia rods to intentionally use line slack, with a twitch, or jerk to your benefit. Tenryu calls this Lunakia rod, a "Reaction Specialized Rod" and its purpose is to derive from the target fish a reflexive response. 

Another Tenryu innovation is the structural material called C-N-T, an ultrafine material in the shape of a hollow tube with moderate flexibility and considerable strength. How does this work? The C, N, and T particles enter into the resin that holds the fibers together, increasing the bond between the fibers. When the bond between the fibers becomes high, it leads to the effect of suppressing the peeling of the blank, and therefore the consistency of the blank increases.

It is a model that can be enjoyed in various ways depending on how the angler is used to “Light Rock Fish”, nevertheless the leading Japanese company suggests the following combination of gear, in order to achieve the ultimate balance with the Tenryu Lunakia LK-6102SML:

• Reel: 170 gr, or Less
• Jig Head: 1 - 2 gr with PE Line: 0.2 - 0.4
• Pencils & Minnows: About 5 gr with PE Line (No.0.3 - 0.4), or Monofilament (1 – 3 Lbs)
• Metal Jigs: About 2 gr

Respectively for the LK752S-MMHT model:

• Reel: 170 gr, or Less
• Jig Head: 1.5 - 3 gr with PE Line: 0.2 - 0.5
• Pencils, Minnows & Carolina Rig: About 7 - 10 gr with PE Line (No.0.3 - 0.5), or Monofilament (2 – 4 Lbs)
• Metal Jigs: About 3 gr

Considering that most Light Rock Fishing enthusiasts use ultra-thin PE line, Tenryu installed Fuji K Type guides (Titanium frame, SiC rings) that handle PE lines and also monofilament. The setting is such that even if you use a very fine PE line, it is difficult to get entangled.