TT Interview: JDM Brand Dranckrazy to Introduce New Rods and Lures in the US Market

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 .