Tenryu Rayz Spectra RZS51LL-BC

The Tenryu Rayz Spectra RZS511LL-BC is built on the same blank as the widely acclaimed RZS51LL spinning rod. It provides the same delightful action and precision casting for BFS fans. The LL stands for Light Light, which is between Light and Ultralight.

Tenryu Rayz SpectraTenryu Spectra and Shimano Calcutta Conquest. What a great combination!

Before I decided to keep a Tenryu Rayz Spectra RZ51LL-BC for myself, I put a Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS reel on my RZS51LL spinning rod to get a sense of what the Spectra baitcaster would be like. After all, both rods are made from the  same blank. Wow! What a nice rod. I then got confirmation from a guy who may be as crazy as I am (he did the same with his Spectra spinning rod). He then ordered the Spectra baitcaster and confirmed that it is indeed as good as I thought it would be..."the accuracy is amazing and so smooth."

After one day comparing the Spectra with my Rayz RZ4102B-UL I decided to buy the Spectra and sell the Rayz. The primary reason for the decision is that because the Spectra spinning rod and baitcaster are built on the same blank, the familiarity with the "feel" when casting one would transfer to the "feel" of casting the other.

Tenryu says that the Spectra RZ51LL-BC is a rod for experts. It is just a little bit stiffer and just a little bit faster than the Rayz RZ4102B-UL. The rod's designer told me that with the Rayz it was a little easier to feel just when to release the lure but the Spectra would deliver more accuracy. For expert anglers fishing Mountain Stream Bait Finesse, accuracy is key.

As i keep telling readers of my TenkaraBum site, "I'm a merchant, not a master," but I did not find casting the Spectra RZ51LL-BC to be a problem. I did feel like the Rayz was better than the Spectra at fishing very light lures, but I have proven to myself more than once that you do not have to fish very light lures even if you are fishing for relatively small fish. See the Update 8-4-19 section of the Baitcasters for Brookies page.

Smallest trout on a baitcasterSmall enough for ya?

The rod above is a Rays RZ4102BC-UL, but that's not the point. Trout will hit lures they couldn't possibly swallow. You do not have to fish lures that are too light to cast effectively with a baitcaster.

Spectra built in hook keeperRayz Spectra built-in hook keeper

One feature of the Tenryu Rayz Spectra RZS52LL-BC that I guess is minor but one I truly appreciate is the built-in hook keeper. It keeps the hook out of the guides or the cork grip (or your hand), and eliminates the bulky (and therefor risky) lure keepers that anglers tend to fasten near their rod tip. If you remove the front treble and replace the rear one with a single hook, you almost can't get it stuck where it doesn't belong.

Tenryu Rayz Spectra RZS51LL-BCTenryu Rayz Spectra RZS51LL-BC

Model
Type
Length
Sections
Breakdown Length
Rod Weight
Line Weight
Lure Weight

RZS51LL-BC
Wild (stream)
5’1"
2
31 1/4"
2.5 oz
1 - 5 lb
1 - 8 g (about 1/32 - 1/4 oz)
Made in Japan

One last point - when you put the two sections together there will be a gap as shown in the photo below. That is normal. Don't force it.

The gap between sections.There is supposed to be a gap. Don't force it.

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Header photo: Tenryu Rayz RZ4102B-UL, Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFSHG ('17)

Warning:

The hooks are sharp.
The coffee's hot.
The fish are slippery when wet.