The Custom Rod Builder that is
"Nameless"
Date: |
6/11/24 |
Tackle Type: |
Rods |
Manufacturer: |
Nameless
|
Interviewer: |
Zander |
Introduction: Nameless Rods, a custom rod brand from Southern
California, specializes in crafting high-quality swimbait rods with a focus on
custom design and performance. We sat down with the owner and creator of the
brand to learn more about its origins and the latest intriguing offering: a
swimbait rod featuring CULTxVANS waffle grips built on a U.S.-made Stryker
blank, making it one of the most unique swimbait rods ever.
My first Nameless rod was the
Explorer Rod (Gen 1) which I copped in a drop from the brand's "Ready to Run"
store
The Custom Rod Builder with No Name:
I first learned about Nameless Custom Rods the way many other swimbait anglers
likely did—on Instagram. It was there that I began seeing a variety of
intriguing rod builds characterized by clean design and unique styling. Despite
the many great swimbait rods available on the market, Nameless stood out with
custom designs tailored specifically to the angler’s fishing techniques and
personal style. Some of the rods I saw online even featured custom colors,
logos, and matching grips.
I started following Nameless
and finally had the opportunity to try one of their rods when I jumped on a drop
and purchased a two-piece swimbait rod, a one-of-a-kind Adventure rod. Suffice to
say, this would be the first of many Nameless rods I would eventually own.
My second Nameless rod is one that
readers still often see in my hands, the fully custom "NSX Rat Rod" which was
built with black and yellow highlights to match my car and with spiral grips and
lengths tailored to my preferred ergonomics
My positive experience with that first rod
prompted me to reach out to Nameless to commission a custom swimbait rod. This
is when I officially met the owner and lead designer/builder of Nameless, Justin
Wesseling from Lake Elsinore, California. We discussed various possible rod
configurations and ultimately decided to build a rod specifically designed for
fishing my favorite rat swimbaits. Justin and I discovered that we were both
gearheads and decided to theme the rod around my personal ride, an Indy Yellow
Pearl Acura NSX. The NSX Rat Rod was born, featuring customizations from grip to
tip, and it has been my favorite custom rod in my arsenal for the last two
seasons.
I fish a lot of rats and wakes
with this custom Nameless rod
Many anglers started reaching out to me to learn
more about that rod, prompting me to have a conversation with Justin to find out
more about his company, his process, and a brand new "VANS" themed project he
had just introduced. This is that conversation.
A look at Nameless's newest
project, the NLRVG
Zander:
Thanks for sitting down with us today Justin. Let’s start at the beginning. Can
you tell us more about your background and how you started Nameless rods?
Justin: Since a child, I’ve always built
models worked on cars, build skateboard ramps, so I’ve always been fascinated
with building things. After a few years, running some custom rods from a friend
I decided to try my own build. I realized I was pretty good at it when friends
started requesting more and more rods. So I started Revelation Rods that I
worked for a couple years building and it really gained traction until another
tackle company had some issues with me for using that particular name. So I had
to rebrand and change everything I had built, but it may have been a blessing in
disguise because this is how Nameless was born.
Justin is an avid angler himself
and is based in Lake Elsinore, CA
Zander: Tell
us more about the blanks that you use in your rods, do you source blanks from
just one manufacturer or a couple depending on the application and action?
Justin: After using several blanks from St.
Croix, NFC to Taipan and even using other brands like Phenix, I have found
Stryker to be remarkably strong, lightweight, and consistent. One thing is
standing out to me most about these Striker based rods is the way they load,
it’s a very smooth load something I’ve not experienced with many brands. The
scratch resistance is also incredible, which gives me confidence in the rods
lasting along time.
Another Nameless Custom that I
ordered. I asked for a PB&J rod and Justin delivered once again
Zander: As a
custom rod builder what has influenced your designs and what is unique about
your offerings?
Justin: I work incredibly hard to make my
brand stand out in a very saturated industry. I do so by providing three key
elements. Excellent customer service, markable fit and finish, and top quality
builds that are worth investing in. These are things I had a hard time finding
in the custom rod world let alone with some tasteful and modern designs. I think
we are developing a unique niche. Influenced by Japanese culture, southern
California culture and my Dutch ancestry, I’ve combined my life in to this
brand.
My custom Nameless PB&J rod also
sees a lot of rat duty and is built on a Phenix blank and capable of slinging
rats up to 6oz.
Zander: Let’s
shift gears and talk about what is new and coming? Product-wise what is coming
next from Nameless?
Justin: I hope to continue developing
unique, attractive, and high-performing fishing rods. I hope that we can even
expand into something major one day. However, I do not mind keeping it small and
tending one by one to each customer, which is how we have built NL up to this
point. As far as future rod designs, we will continue expanding on the vans
culture and continue to push out these great Stryker blanks, while experimenting
with new grip materials and un-thought of designs. Nameless style.
The new Nameless NLRVG rod
features black EVA and Gum CULT x VANS grips on a U.S. made Stryker blank (1 of
1 Proto rod shown)
I wanted to create a rod that would cross over all
ages, genres, all cultures and speak to the masses even beyond fishing.
Spreading the Nameless brand. I believe in a total package of aesthetics,
performance, reliability, and service that makes the full experience great.
These are crafted with the mentality that even if the most competent high end
rod builder got a hand on them, that even they would approve. The fit and finish
of NLRVG rods speak for themselves.
Who would of thought to put these
VANS grips on a fishing rod. This absolutely insane, and I love it.
Zander: These
Nameless Vans gripped rods are unique. I recognize these ODI Vans grips from
motocross and obviously, the waffle pattern is instantly recognizable by those
beyond fishing. How did you get the idea to build a rod series with them?
Justin: Who doesn’t like waffle soles?! I
wanted to create a rod design that was so aesthetically powerful yet functional
that it would put nameless custom rods in the top echelon. Not just a one off,
but something so streamlined that it could potentially be mass produced. The
thick oversize VANS grips provide tremendous comfort and rearward, balance, also
adding control that is very difficult to describe. It is not overpowering
either. It must be felt. Sensitivity is not dulled because the material of the
grip still transmits some vibrations similar to that of EVA.
The VANS waffle pattern is
instantly recognizable, especially in gum color