My friend Alex Koike lives in Brazil, where he has access to the world’s greatest fisheries for peacock bass and other species like payara and wolffish. At the same time, he’s also a major expert on JDM tackle and a black bass junkie, so I follow his social accounts carefully to know what’s going on in that world. He recently connected me with Reo Kodera of Japan, who has introduced a new line of high-end travel rods – Stoneage. Mr. Kodera was kind enough to answer some questions about his new creations. We’re eager to check them out.

HPFC: What made you decide to build a new line of travel rods?

KODERA: We knew that traveling anglers needed first-class travel rods. Once upon a time, travel rods were merely seen as “backups.” However, their role is now evolving. TOPAZ is designed to excel as a mainstay in any field, from everyday fishing to serious overseas expeditions. Unexpected challenges are part of fishing trips. Harsh nature, unpredictable encounters with fish. TOPAZ remains a reliable companion, adapting flexibly to all lures and never letting the angler down, even in such journeys.

HPFC: Who is the intended consumer?

KODERA: People who value time. STONEAGE products are designed and created by people with deep knowledge of fishing trips who have always valued their equipment. Whether it's a short trip or a long one, what they have in common is that people deliberately set aside time for them. It might be alone, or with friends. STONEAGE creates products to make that time the best it can be. The reason we pay attention to every detail—durability, usability, and designs that can be cherished for years -- is because we value the user's time above all else.

HPFC: You currently have five models – three casting and two spinning. Are they for particular species or techniques?

KODERA: STONEAGE's first project was to tackle the ultimate challenge of creating five models of travel rods designed to conquer the most extreme fishing fields in the world, specifically the Amazon River in South America, which the STONEAGE team has been visiting for the past 15 years. This ultimate rod series was named “TOPAZ,” a first-class travel rod. TOPAZ is a lure casting travel rod created for all anglers who travel around the world, not only in Japan. It is a reliable “travel companion” for anglers. That is the raison d'etre of TOPAZ.

In the past, travel rods were considered to be “spare parts.” However, their role is changing now. TOPAZ is designed on the premise that it will play an active part as a mainstay in every field from daily fishing to serious overseas expeditions. Unexpectedness is always present on a fishing trip. Harsh nature and encounters with unpredictable fish. TOPAZ flexibly responds to all lures even on such a trip and continues to be one that does not betray anglers.

Stoneage Topaz Travel rod for peacock bass

HPFC: What are the components that make them different than other brands?

KODERA: We want this to be the world standard travel rod -- Not a spare, this is the star of the show. It should provide a “one-piece” feeling of unity beyond your imagination in a compact design that can be taken around the world. It has a spiral grip that allows for high sensitivity and high torque carbon blank for reliable fighting

It also provides beautiful functionality. The cosmetics of TOPAZ are inspired by the beauty of a jet-black Japanese sword. The design was carefully considered down to the smallest detail so that each time you hold it in your hand, you will feel pride and trust in it as your “favorite sword” that you will share with your fishing partner for many years to come. The moment the rod is assembled, it feels so integrated that it is hard to believe that it is a multi-piece rod. The precision joint structure provides the same feel and strength as a one-piece rod. The unique texture of the grip is so comfortable in your hand that once you hold it, you will never forget the fit. The grip creates a sense of oneness with the rod every time you cast, further deepening the pleasure of fishing. The soft case is designed for compact storage and fits neatly into a suitcase to prevent lost baggage during transportation.

The TOPAZ is designed for all kinds of situations so that it can be used safely even in remote areas far away from civilization. For the blank, we carefully selected materials with an excellent balance of “sensitivity” and “tenacity” among Japanese-made carbon blanks. Our focus is on “unbreakable reliability.” If high sensitivity is pursued too much, breaking strength is sacrificed. In a journey, it can be a fatal risk.

TOPAZ is designed as a blank with well-balanced sensitivity, strength, and torque, so that it does not tire easily even after heavy use, and it is tough enough to be used without any trouble until the last day of fishing trip. In addition, double-foot designs are used for some guides in order to both reduce the risk of breakage and to increase the ability to handle monster fish. We chose strength and safety over single foot, which emphasizes weight reduction, because we know that a rod can be a lifeline when traveling.

TOPAZ blanks are made of “Multi-Angle Carbon Fiber” -- by weaving the fibers at various angles, force is evenly distributed, dramatically increasing rigidity. Whereas conventional unidirectional carbon is strong in one axis, this design is resistant to loads and impacts from all directions, making the entire rod both durable and supple. It responds to “unexpected” situations that may occur during fishing with reliable strength. It also adopts a structure in which multiple layers of carbon fiber with different characteristics are layered on top of each other. This structure achieves a good balance of strength, flexibility, and responsiveness, and realizes a supple and smooth bending curve. The rod's overall structure remains stable even in stressful situations, and sensitivity is not compromised despite its light weight. It delivers consistent feeling to anglers from cast to retrieve without missing even the smallest bite.

It also features precision joint quality, providing natural feeling like a one-piece rod - it is our thorough attention to the joints that makes this possible. Carbon of higher strength than usual is used for the joint part. This maintains a balance between rigidity and suppleness, and ensures smooth bending even at joints that are subject to load. The joints of each section are precisely designed in terms of taper angle, length, and thickness. This enhances the sense of unity of the parts and provides a feel as if the rod were one piece when casting and fighting.

Finally, these rods are finished with skilled craftsmanship, using a blend of specialized equipment and craftsmen's handiwork. The fit and beautiful line flow are achieved by making no compromises, even in areas that cannot be seen.

Stoneage Topaz Travel Rod fighting a peacock bass in Brazil

HPFC: What are some of the common problems with travel rods that you’ve addressed?

KODERA: Here are some I have noticed: The rod blank is not designed well so the curve is awkward. If each section is not well designed and balanced as one rod piece, the rod cannot perform well. There’s also the appearance. It is one of the very important factors that motivates you to go fishing or to travel. Not many rods have this magical power but TOPAZ does. Also, most travel rods are not well-designed. They’re often too light or too heavy. Also, it should by designed so that it can be packed efficiently in suitcases. Above all, the quality of every detail of most travel rods does not satisfy people as much as a well-made one piece rod.

HPFC: Where have they been tested?

KODERA: On the Amazon river in Brazil -- main target being peacock bass “ACU”

HPFC: What are some of the more impressive catches you’ve achieved on them?

KODERA: In one week, 7 peacock bass of 80cm or bigger -- and more than 15 fish over 70cm. The largest was 18lb and 86cm. They were monsters.

HPFC: Why did you choose the name “Stoneage”?

KODERA: STONEAGE is inspired by this eternal spirit of adventure and continues to challenge itself in toolmaking to this day. Feel the history of fishing in the palm of your hand. The world's oldest fishing hook, discovered in a cave in Okinawa, Japan, approximately 23,000 years ago. Made from a shell, this fishing hook still tells the story of humanity's primitive curiosity and hunting instincts. Humanity's spirit of adventure continues across time. Creating tools, exercising ingenuity, and catching fish -- this endeavor has continued uninterrupted from the Stone Age to the present day.

Fishing has transcended its role as a mere means of survival, becoming a symbol of human instinct and curiosity -- unwavering curiosity and the ever-evolving wisdom of humanity. Paying homage to both, we provide modern anglers with tools that are more reliable and more exciting, no matter where you go, from local fishing to adventures on the other side of the globe. Once you step out the door, that's your stage. Well-made fishing tools connect the past to the future. We want to create tools that make you want to go fishing.

HPFC: What is the meaning of “Topaz” in this context?

KODERA: Brazil is the main source of topaz. We named it this way out of respect for the fact that it was tested in the Brazilian Amazon and produced the initial 5 series. We also used the name of stones to refer to the era when humans used stones as tools.

HPFC: What are the company’s plans for the future?

KODERA: STONEAGE started with rods, but we are working on high-quality items related to travel. For example, bags and apparel for travel. We are planning to make travelers' time the best it can be.

HPFC: Where can they be purchased? Are they available to US customers?

KODERA: STONEAGE will start shipping internationally soon from our ecommerce shop based in Japan so that customers can purchase the rods. In the future, for better service, we are planning to have distributors who understand our philosophy.

For more information, check out the Stoneage website.