T-AREA FUN

The Smith T-AREA FUN (T-エリアファン) is a 2-piece spinning rod designed for area trout fishing, managed trout ponds stocked with rainbow and other trout species, a popular year-round format in Japan. The rod fits anglers who want good all-around lure handling for the variety of presentations used in area fishing: spoons, small cranks, micro soft plastics, and inline spinners, all at weights up to 4g. The UL power and Moderate action produce a smooth, full-bend curve that works well across this range and provides cushion for light tippet.

The blank is 30t + 36t graphite, a dual-modulus combination. The 30t layer provides feel and bend character; the 36t adds recovery speed. All guides are Fuji, with a stainless SiC insert on the tip guide. The reel seat is Fuji DPS. Available in three colorways (Hinoki, Mizu, Sakura) with matching EVA grip colors. The 2-piece parallel ferrule design keeps pack length to 83.5cm. MSRP ¥15,000 + tax. Developed by a Smith staff angler with a declared focus on material selection and action tuning for the format.

The lineup contains a single model, the TAF-54UL, at 5'4" with UL power and Moderate action, 50g weight, and line to 4 lb. No multi-length or multi-power range exists within this series. The 5'4" length is standard for managed pond fishing where space is sometimes limited. JDM product available through Japanese retailers and select European importers.