Interview -
JDM Rods & Lures |
TT Interview: JDM Brand Dranckrazy
to Introduce New Rods and Lures in the US Market
Date: |
11/20/24 |
Interview: |
David
Swendseid |
Subject |
Dranckrazy |
Interviewer: |
Zander |
Introduction: Not too many US anglers know about the Dipsy and Crazy
Anglers Network, or Dranckrazy. This JDM brand is popular internationally, and
under the guidance of industry veteran David Swendseid, is poised to make a
significant push in the US market. With a proven track record of success with
brands like Roman Made and DUO, Swendseid is well-equipped to introduce
Dranckrazy to American anglers. We sat down with him to learn more about their
innovative products and strategic approach to the US market.
David Swendseid (or D-side as some
call him) is a respected Industry Veteran, pro angler, and has helped develop
numerous JDM brands here in the USA
Zander: Thanks for spending a few
minutes with us today and congratulations on your new role at DrancKrazy. Let's
start at the top, can you tell us more about DK and where the company is
from and their history in Japan and internationally.
David: Certainly, and thank you TackleTour for having me. Dranckrazy
began it’s humble beginnings under the name Yoidore established in 1997 in Mie
Prefecture. It was compromised of a group of professionals in other disciplines
that loved fishing and the comradery. The Yoidore anglers eventually became
friends with another group called Real Crazy Anglers. Real Crazy Anglers started
in Kobe, Japan. There was a trend in which groups of anglers sought out other
angling groups or organizations for the love of fishing. Like the Yoidore
anglers Real Crazy Anglers also loved their fishing and a strong bond was
created between the groups. Between the two groups several bass anglers began
discussing bass fishing theories and lure ideas. Eventually, artisan-like lures
were created. The local angling communities began gravitated to the groups hand
made lures.
Dranckrazy may not be a household
name in the US but the brand has an existing offering of lures and rods and is
popular in Japan and other international markets
Eventually, both groups decided to form
a lure company and Dranckrazy was born. CEO Takeshi is the visionary of the
company. As a passionate and serious angler Takeshi has taken all of his talents
(an accomplished musician, diverse businessman and talented artist) and
successfully applied them to the culture of the company. The depth of angler
expertise within DK is stupendous and extensive. The focus of lure development
has allotted R&D team to create lures not only for bassfishing, but also for
Expedition, Mountain Stream, Inshore, and Offshore salt water anglers! DK lures
are now recognized internationally. From the finite refinement of Largemouth,
Smallmouth, Spotted Bass lures to the unprecedented durable lures used for Giant
Papuan Bass DK internally controls everything from their design to build quality
in their lure creations.
Zander: Thanks for that background. Let's talk about your background. I
remember your history with other JDM brands here in the US over the years
including successes with Roman Made and DUO most recently, and pioneering work
with Jackall going back to the ichi-wacky-jig-head technique which would
ultimately become Flickshaking, Lucky Craft, and Toray. Can you tell us more about your new
role at DK and some of the first projects that you are working on?
David: My title at DK is R&D Specialist Mgr. and Strategic Mgr. However,
I will be wearing several hats in the interim but my focus will be on lure
development from ideas, design, function, testing and goal focus. As a Strategic
Mgr. I will be heading up avenues for targeting our demographic. We have several
specialized lures and some that we are working on may actually be accompanied
with patents. I really want our talents to be represented in a way that truly
helps anglers. I believe if you get the angler the tools that aid in his passion
everyone wins. As a the Strategic Mgr we will have the two companies ISM and
Studio Composites as part of our portfolio. Both companies have close ties to
DK. I should add we have also made it possible to create and develop signature
lure lines for other companies. This service is available with true lure
expertise and new technologies available.
David was a pioneer in Spybaiting
and helped make the technique popular in the US
As many know, when I developed
Spybaiting it was a win-win for many. I still have the original emails of when I
invented the concept and even came up with the names. Spybaiting was introduced
to the previous company I worked for. Soon I will be elaborating on Spybaiting with new
exciting advancements. I am excited! We have new concepts coming to lures and rods
we are
developing. My goal this time around is to help the angler have fun improving his
fishing and growing this sport I am so passionate about.
Zander: We look forward to seeing
these upcoming lure designs come to reality. Previous to this interview I
checked out the DK offering in Japan and the company has a pretty large
portfolio of products. What would you say are the company's most desirable, or
interesting, offerings that anglers should be award of?
David: Very true! The company has had success in a realm of lures but
their focus especially for the US Market will be bass lures, saltwater lures,
and very unique rod line. I should say multiple rod lines. I will be personally
developing several bass lures and introducing some existing designs as well as
specialty. But our standing lure line truly has some very special lures that
have amazing attributes and actions.
One of Dranckrazy's popular
softbaits is the hybrid Vurger
Our soft bait line is completely
different than the standards represented in the USA. I have been fond or our
soft plastic swimbait line before I was hired with DK. Each lure is different,
with several size offerings for each lure. For example the Vurger looks like a
sunfish shape with an incorporated dual action. The bait has several break
points and two tails in one giving it a counter action. In testing, giant
smallmouth really keyed on this bait which was a surprise to me. There are
multiple ways to rig it.
The Slow Shinner is a soft-bodied
swimbait that can be rigged a number of different ways
The DK Slow Shinner is a very realistic
swimbait (established scale impression, and petite bulbous eyes are seen from a
distance. It looks real! It has so many details imbedded into the lure. And it’s
a soft plastic lol. There are action breakpoints, micro fins and ports. It can
be rigged a number of ways but the swim action is in my opinion unprecedented.
The goal with this lure was to make the most realistic soft swimmer on the
market. I believe we accomplished that. In testing I have caught all species of
bass. They really key on the details of this lure.
The Deros is a Dranckrazy
crankbait with a "solid double body structure" that uses a solid core with a
special resin inside. The core is covered by an injection molded body and will
never leak
Of course for the US market I am first
I’m excited for our CoreX or Solid Core (S.C.) Technology! This lure building
technology specific to Dranckrazy. Inventing your own technology gives you some
clear, distinct advantages in the creation, actions and cosmetic display of the
lure pieces. This lure advancement (for example) will allow a crankbait to move
differently, have a very different signature and its percussion and vibrational
will be unique. Secondary consequences are also imbedded in this lure like, a
dramatic specific gravity and buoyancy effect. We eliminated any crush zones and
unified the structure in a way that makes it impervious to water intrusion and
internal component rust, make it a God send for brackish water and harsh
environment. It literally has 2 dynamic actions with a simple 3 second
modification. This advancement “SC (Solid Core)” or CX (Core X) Technology, help
crankbait fishing in the USA. Mr. Takeshi describes it as such, “Instead of
using a common internal ballast system, we have developed a special process
utilizing composite(s) with a uniformed specific gravity, which is represented
in the entire cavity. When retrieved is generates a different vibration. It also
helps to evenly distribute the weight of the lure, and making it structurally
sound providing greater control during flight. You can cast long and accurately,
as well as better in the wind. Short specific target casting accuracy also
improves.”
Fish on Dranckrazy. There are many
different cranks in the lineup from long lipped deep divers to lipless models
Zander: Let's switch over to rods.
Can you tell us more about the DK rod offering and what will be available here
in the USA to anglers?
David: Absolutely! One of products that I am most excited about when it comes to
rods is Dranckrazy travel rods. They are a leader of high-quality travel rods! I
know this sounds weird but for years many of my associates have talked about
having high quality rods that literally fit in a duffle bag or mini suit case.
Imagine attending ICAST (for example). Flying into Orlando, unpacking your mini
suit case and inside is two high quality bass rods (one for senko, worm or frog
fishing and one for your favorite glide baits…lol… I’m drooling just thinking
about it…. In the past I have had to borrow someone’s rods or ship them in the
elongated tubes. Extensive packing protocols to ensure safe travel and to
some-how get excited about having an additional piece of luggage lol. Now I can
take my JDM reels and my new JDM travels rods anywhere and bass fish! I still
love pond fishing or discovering little waterways. After your mini excursion you
simply put your rod wraps into your suitcase and fly home. In the past so many
travel rods were poor quality, poor actions, most of the time the actions were
too soft and these sleeve ferrules would spilt under stress (fighting fish).
Targeting the premium market is
DK's Expedition travel rods
Like other JDM rods the DK Expedition rods will be expensive but they will be
worth it. The durability, the action and the aesthetics are advancements not
seen in US bassfishing. I am really excited. The angler wins here! We are
currently sold out by my plan is to have the American angler experience
this…travel rod experience. I got giddy about it and its not in my wheelhouse
lol. Currently we produce the 5-piece Black Serpent rods. They are amazing! My
dear friend and CEO of Dranckrazy, Takeshi said it best; “We believe this trend
will reach American shores very soon because let's face it, which avid angler
wouldn't like to be able to pack their favorite rod and carry with them on
trips? You can pack our rods, which break down to about 20 inches when
dismantled, into your backpack, your suitcase, or the back of your car away from
prying eyes! We use the best materials to manufacture Black Serpent rods.
Different multi modulus Toray carbon fibers are used for each section and they
are joined by spigot ferrules to maintain the taper action and sensitivity we
set out to achieve. On top of this, we use carefully selected Fuji guides and
carbon woven handles to match our rods and give them their distinct Dranckrazy
identity.“
DK's rods will feature a number of
proprietary designs and components
We should add we will be introducing
Studio Composites as another layer of products! Highly desired Reel components,
rods, tools and even swimbaits all made out of carbon fiber will be available.
David helped make Roman Made a
legendary swimbait brand in the US. Can he do the same with Dranckrazy
Zander: Is there anything that you
would like to say to the TT community in closing?
Thanks again for the time. Personally, I am very excited about DK’s future. The
line of new lures, the companies and products will surprise many. Everyone wins
on this venture. In addition to what we talked about today I hopefully will be
introducing what I consider another "super technique" for tournament anglers to
utilize in competitive angling. Keep you ear to the ground! More to follow soon!
At the helm of Dranckrazy is
Nakayama Takeshi, the company's CEO who is also a passionate angler
Finally, I would like to end with a
mention of DK's CEO, Nakayama Takeshi. Nakayma is the heart and soul of DK and a
successful mind in many disciplines. His world experience has given him an
advantage over other Japanese companies. Although disciplined, he is not a
victim to rigid functioning. He is talented and also happens to be a passionate
angler. At the same time he also is aware he is surrounded with talented staff.
R&D is important to him, which coincides with my model and priorities with in
the industry. Very few companies truly possess an elaborate R&D model that
incorporates a battery of exams for the betterment and function of a lure. His
commitment to his Japanese company’s products entering to the USA is important.
And he takes the process very seriously. He is also of the mindset “ the angler
should win… in experience and in their journey fishing” In North America
Dranckrazy will represent Dranckrazy, ISM, and Studio Composites. Our focus of
sales will be the dealers first. So in a week or so dealer inquires are
welcomed and they can reach us at our email at
ddranckrazy24@gmail.com .
Zander:
Thanks for sharing the information
on the lures, rods, and future products David. It looks like we have another
interesting JDM brand to cover this coming season as DK products become more
readily available in the US. Good luck on all the projects you are working on
and we need to talk more about this super technique.
Anglers interested in
learning more about Dranckrazy
can visit the
Company's International Website