The Kiyotaki rods are surprisingly capable for their size. The largest fish I've caught tenkara fishing was a 20" smallmouth on a Kiyotaki 24. I think you'll find that you can put just as much pressure on the fish with that rig as you can with a heavier rod, assuming you are using the same tippet strength with both rods. The tippet strength is the key, not the rod.