Tenryu Rayz Integral RZI484B-UL

The Tenryu Rayz Integral RZI484B-UL - YES! Finally! (Fist pump!)

For years, I asked (pestered is more accurate) Tenryu to make a baitcaster using the 4-piece Rayz Integral RZI50UL-4 spinning rod blank. I knew it would be very nice, as I had done a "proof of concept" trip, putting a BFS reel on my Integral RZI50UL-4. It worked beautifully.

I knew they were working on one but ...

Tenryu Rayz Integral spinning rod with BFS reel

Tenryu Rayz Integral RZI50UL-4 with BFS reel as proof of concept.

To my surprise and delight, when Tenryu updated all the Integral rods in 2023 they introduced a 4-piece baitcaster and a new 4-piece spinning rod built on the same newly designed 4' 8" blank. In what I thought would be my final rod purchase from Tenryu I ordered one of each. I haven't fished the baitcaster yet (it's a very long story which will have to wait for another time). It is a bittersweet development. I wish it had been earlier because I knew they would sell well, but I am so glad that it did in fact happen.

2025 update - I failed retirement. I ordered a bunch of Tenryu rods, including the Tenryu Rayz Integral RZI484B-UL. The initial reports have been glowing!

I am happy to say the rod is well past the "proof of concept" stage. The photo above, showing a very nice cutthroat caught by a very happy fellow BFS Bum is proof the rod is just what I'd hoped it would be.

To catch cutties like that you have to hike in. If you are going to hike in it makes a lot more sense to bring a 4-piece rod rather than a 2-piece rod. The photo below shows the previous Tenryu Rayz Integral 4-piece spinning rod with a modest backpack. The current Tenryu Rayz Integral 4-piece baitcasters and spinning rods actually pack down about an inch shorter than the rod in the photo.

I loved the Tenryu Rayz Integral RZI50UL-4, the spinning rod that was the predecessor of the current RZI484S-UL spinning rod and RZI484B-UL baitcaster. I loved the action, but it was just so convenient to carry a 4-piece rod in the woods rather than a 2-piece rod. When attached to my backpack, the 2-piece rod would get caught in low overhead branches and the vines that cross some of the stream-side trails in NY, which can be little more than deer trails. The 4-piece rod easily fit in my backpack's water bottle pocket, and would even fit inside the backpack if I had to bushwack through the forest where branches could catch the rod and pull it out of the pocket - and don't think that doesn't happen!

Tenryu Rayz Integral RZI484B-UL

The new model has ultra-low modulus carbon in the tip and 2nd sections, providing more flexibility to allow "casting with minimal motion." The description of the RZI484S-UL, the Ultralight spinning model, says the ultra-low modulus sections allow "snap casting" (maybe they've been reading my website). I am pretty sure that means it is more flexible than their current Rayz RZ4102B-UL or the previous generation Rayz Integral RZI50UL-4.

The description also indicates that the Ultralight RZI484B-UL can handle lightweight plugs around 3g, spoons and spinners. It is hard to find plugs lighter than 3g anyway, but I am confident that the rod will handle spinners and spoons lighter than 3g!

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

RZI484B-UL
Wild (stream)
4’ 8 1/2"
4
15 1/4"
3.1 oz
Max 4 lb
Max 6 g (about 3/16 oz)
$355
Free shipping in US
Made in Japan

If the button says
Add to cart
the rod is in stock.

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.