Innovator of the month: Stefan Ekberg
Innovation: The Drag Shark

The Drag Shark - Increases the chance of catching the fish

"I don't want to be 90 years old and regret the things I didn't do"

Stefan Ekberg has always loved to fish, but he was annoyed by sometimes having to cut his fishing line and losing lines that got stuck on a big log or under a rock. To solve the problem, he created an invention that offered a solution to the problem. After 17 long years, the idea was not only realised, but is now a patented product.

When it comes to fishing, Stefan Ekberg is always ready. In the past, he even had his fishing rod with him in the car, just in case there was an opportunity to fish from the shore. Quite often, however, his line would get caught and he would lose the fishing lure. Of course, Stefan wanted to go fishing where a lot of fish were, which meant fishing in slightly more inaccessible places where he sometimes got stuck so firmly in a log or a rock that he had to cut the line and say goodbye to the fishing lure. Eventually, he got tired of all the expensive lures disappearing. The idea of developing a product that could release the line when it was stuck started to come to life.

From prototype to final product

It was a long journey from idea to finished product. Once Stefan had a prototype, the only thing missing was someone who could manufacture the product. Stefan wanted it to be a Swedish manufacturer, which turned out to be much more difficult than Stefan first thought. The prototype therefore remained in the fish box for several years.

Stefan used the prototype for twelve years. It was only when a friend borrowed the prototype and encouraged him to try to fully realise the idea that Stefan gave it a second chance.

- I wanted the product to be made in Sweden, but my needs were not being met by Swedish companies. In 2015, 3D printing became possible, which was a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, I still couldn't find a Swedish manufacturer. I had to turn to foreign manufacturers and soon afterwards found a Chinese company," says Stefan.

Once the product was in place, it was time for the next step in the process. The patent application. This proved to be a difficult and, above all, expensive process. In the end, the product was patented in 2018. Although there are about fifty products similar to the dragon shark, especially in the US, there is no product on the market that is exactly like the dragon shark.

The goal as a 90-year-old

When asked what motivated Stefan to develop a product for so many years, there is no doubt in the answer.

- "People have so many ideas that they don't act on. I don't want to sit in a rocking chair at 90 and regret things I didn't do. If it feels overwhelming, try breaking down your goal. Take small steps to get there.

When it comes to future plans, Stefan is secretive.

- "Unfortunately, I can't talk about that. What I can say is that it is partly in fishing and in households. You'll have to wait and see!

Stefan's tips for other innovators:

As an inventor, you need to become good at marketing and sales. You are not interesting for more than a tenth of a second, so be prepared to fight the battle of marketing.

Decide to give it your all.

Remember, nobody can do it all on their own, so get help!

"I don't want to be 90 years old and regret the things I didn't do"

Stefan Ekberg has always loved to fish, but he was annoyed by sometimes having to cut his fishing line and losing lines that got stuck on a big log or under a rock. To solve the problem, he created an invention that offered a solution to the problem. After 17 long years, the idea was not only realised, but is now a patented product.

When it comes to fishing, Stefan Ekberg is always ready. In the past, he even had his fishing rod with him in the car, just in case there was an opportunity to fish from the shore. Quite often, however, his line would get caught and he would lose the fishing lure. Of course, Stefan wanted to go fishing where a lot of fish were, which meant fishing in slightly more inaccessible places where he sometimes got stuck so firmly in a log or a rock that he had to cut the line and say goodbye to the fishing lure. Eventually, he got tired of all the expensive lures disappearing. The idea of developing a product that could release the line when it was stuck started to come to life.

From prototype to final product

It was a long journey from idea to finished product. Once Stefan had a prototype, the only thing missing was someone who could manufacture the product. Stefan wanted it to be a Swedish manufacturer, which turned out to be much more difficult than Stefan first thought. The prototype therefore remained in the fish box for several years.

Stefan used the prototype for twelve years. It was only when a friend borrowed the prototype and encouraged him to try to fully realise the idea that Stefan gave it a second chance.

- I wanted the product to be made in Sweden, but my needs were not being met by Swedish companies. In 2015, 3D printing became possible, which was a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, I still couldn't find a Swedish manufacturer. I had to turn to foreign manufacturers and soon afterwards found a Chinese company," says Stefan.

Once the product was in place, it was time for the next step in the process. The patent application. This proved to be a difficult and, above all, expensive process. In the end, the product was patented in 2018. Although there are about fifty products similar to the dragon shark, especially in the US, there is no product on the market that is exactly like the dragon shark.

The goal as a 90-year-old

When asked what motivated Stefan to develop a product for so many years, there is no doubt in the answer.

- "People have so many ideas that they don't act on. I don't want to sit in a rocking chair at 90 and regret things I didn't do. If it feels overwhelming, try breaking down your goal. Take small steps to get there.

When it comes to future plans, Stefan is secretive.

- "Unfortunately, I can't talk about that. What I can say is that it is partly in fishing and in households. You'll have to wait and see!

Stefan's tips for other innovators:

As an inventor, you need to become good at marketing and sales. You are not interesting for more than a tenth of a second, so be prepared to fight the battle of marketing.

Decide to give it your all.

Remember, nobody can do it all on their own, so get help!