New Brands at Lotz Outdoors, Week of June 14 to June 20, 2026

Published Jun 21, 2026

This week at Lotz Outdoors we added four brands that round out our soft plastics, hand forged cutlery, wide beam lighting, and gear repair categories. Southern Indiana Bait Co. brings hand poured craws, jerkbaits, and ned sticks tuned for midwest bass. JW SteelCrafts joins our knife assortment with hand forged Damascus bowies and chef sets. Liteband expands our flashlight and headlamp rack with wide beam rechargeable lights, and Noso Patches adds permanent peel and stick repair patches for puffy jackets, sleeping bags, and tents. Read on for a full breakdown of each brand.

This Week's New Brands

Southern Indiana Bait Co.

Brand Overview

Southern Indiana Bait Co. is a small batch soft plastic lure maker out of southern Indiana. Founder profiles in Up North Journal and angler interviews describe a hand poured operation focused on bass craws, ned sticks, jerkbaits, and worms. The company serves the midwest tournament circuit and a direct to angler customer base, and its brand site emphasizes color patterns and salt content tuned for bass.

Product Categories and Related Collections

Southern Indiana Bait Co. sits in our Hunting and Fishing category as a soft plastics specialist. Customers stocking up will also see relevant products in Tackle Storage and Fishing Accessories as they build out a bass focused tackle bag.

Featured Products at Lotz Outdoors

5.25" Jointed Jerkbait	6" Komodo	3.75" Tube
2.7" Ned Stick	3" Bushwacker	4" Hoosier Hog
4" Busy Beaver	5" Stick Worm

Quick Facts

• Headquarters: Southern Indiana, United States
• Founded: Around 2020
• Founders or Ownership: Independently owned, hand pour operation
• Product Category: Soft plastic fishing baits for bass
• Best Known For: Hand poured jerkbaits, craws, ned sticks, and stick worms with distinct color blends
• Typical Customer: Tournament and recreational bass anglers, midwest pond and reservoir fishermen
• Notable Product Types: 5.25" Jointed Jerkbait, 4" Hoosier Hog craw, 4" Busy Beaver, 3" Bushwacker, 2.7" Ned Stick, 5" Stick Worm, 3.75" Tube, 6" Komodo lizard

Reputation and Target Customer

Southern Indiana Bait Co. has built a strong reputation in midwest bass forums and on bass tournament circuits for unique craw and jerkbait pours. Coverage from regional outdoor outlets and Bassmaster aligned content emphasizes the brand's small batch hand poured ethos versus mass produced soft plastics. Anglers cite the salt content and color durability as differentiators against the cheapest big box bags.

Why We Added This Brand

We added Southern Indiana Bait Co. because our bass anglers want hand poured soft plastics that fish differently from the rack at every chain store. Carrying the 5.25 inch Jointed Jerkbait, the 4 inch Hoosier Hog, and the 2.7 inch Ned Stick together lets customers build a craw, finesse, and reaction bait set from one trusted small batch maker.

Best For

Best for bass anglers fishing pond and reservoir systems, tournament anglers who want a unique color pattern at weigh in, finesse anglers using ned rigs and shaky heads, and crawfish forage focused fisheries where the Hoosier Hog and Busy Beaver excel.

How It Fits Our Catalog

Southern Indiana Bait Co. complements our bass tackle lineup alongside hard baits, terminal tackle, and rods. Pair their soft plastics with the StrikeBack rods and reels from VEXAN or use them in our Tackle Storage systems for a complete bass setup.

Brand FAQ

Are Southern Indiana Bait Co. baits hand poured?
Yes, every soft plastic from Southern Indiana Bait Co. is hand poured in small batches, which allows custom color blending and a higher salt content than many mass produced baits.

What bass species do these baits target?
The lineup targets largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass across ponds, reservoirs, and rivers, with the craws and beaver baits especially strong on crawfish forage systems.

How do I rig the Hoosier Hog and Busy Beaver?
Both are designed for Texas rig flipping and pitching, jig trailers, and weighted swing head presentations. Match hook size to bait body width and use heavier sinker weights for cover.

JW SteelCrafts

Brand Overview

JW SteelCrafts is a Fort Worth, Texas knife shop that hand forges Damascus steel kitchen knives, bowie knives, and folding hunters. Reviews on Etsy and the brand's own About page document a small craftsman team building blades from layered carbon steel billets, with handles in olive wood, rosewood, camel bone, and micarta. The company also produces axes, kitchen knife sets, and Damascus rings.

Product Categories and Related Collections

JW SteelCrafts sits in our Outdoor Knives and Camping Knives collections. Their kitchen knife sets pair with gear from our Camping category for camp kitchen builds, and the bowie knives fit our Hunting Accessories line.

Featured Products at Lotz Outdoors

Handmade Damascus Steel Folding Knife with Dark Wood Handle & Leather Sheath	10 Inch Hand Forged Feather Damascus Steel Bowie Knife with Rosewood Handle and Leather Sheath	Handmade Hunter Clip Point Bowie Knife Damascus Steel Yellow Handle JW SteelCrafts
3-Piece Twisted Damascus Kitchen Knife Set , 10" Chef & Utility Knives with 7" Paring Knife and Black Micarta Handles	Sheffield Clip Point Bowie Knife Hand Forged Damascus Steel Custom Handmade Bowie JW SteelCrafts	2-Piece Damascus Carving & Utility Knife Set , Twisted Pattern Blades, White Camel Bone Handles
Handmade American Clip Point Bowie Knife in Forged Damascus Steel	4-Piece Twisted Damascus Kitchen Knife Set , Chef, Nakiri, Slicer & Paring with Olive Wood Wa Handles & Black Leather Roll | JW Steel Crafts

Quick Facts

• Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas, United States
• Founded: Small craftsman shop
• Founders or Ownership: Independently owned, family blacksmith team
• Product Category: Hand forged knives, axes, kitchen knife sets, Damascus rings
• Best Known For: Hand forged Damascus steel bowie knives and chef knife sets with hardwood handles
• Typical Customer: Knife collectors, hunters, kitchen knife enthusiasts, gift buyers
• Notable Product Types: Bowie knives, folding Damascus knives, chef and paring knife sets, twisted Damascus kitchen rolls

Reputation and Target Customer

JW SteelCrafts has earned strong reviews in the handmade knife community for blade geometry, pattern definition, and edge holding. Coverage on knife enthusiast platforms such as BladeHQ aligned forums and Etsy seller histories document repeat customers ordering bowies and kitchen sets as gifts. The Damascus pattern on twisted kitchen sets is widely praised for its visual depth and contrast.

Why We Added This Brand

We added JW SteelCrafts because customers consistently search for hand forged knives that perform in camp, kitchen, and field. The 10 inch feather Damascus bowie with rosewood handle and the kitchen knife sets give us a serious cutlery option that complements our outdoor gear.

Best For

Best for hunters who want a hand forged bowie as a primary field knife, kitchen enthusiasts upgrading from mass produced chef knives, collectors building a Damascus pattern collection, and shoppers buying a wedding, retirement, or milestone gift that will last a lifetime.

How It Fits Our Catalog

JW SteelCrafts adds high end cutlery to our outdoor catalog. The kitchen sets work well next to Camping Grills for serious camp chefs, and the bowies fit naturally beside our Outdoor Knives lineup.

Brand FAQ

What is Damascus steel?
Damascus steel is layered carbon steel folded and forge welded to produce a visible pattern. JW SteelCrafts blades are made by stacking multiple steel types and forging them into billets, which yields the wavy or twisted pattern visible on each blade.

Will a Damascus knife rust?
Carbon steel Damascus can develop patina or surface rust if left wet. Dry the blade after use, oil it occasionally, and store it in the leather sheath only when the leather is dry, since damp leather can hold moisture against the steel.

Are JW SteelCrafts knives full tang?
Most JW SteelCrafts fixed blade bowies and chef knives are full tang, with handle scales pinned to the tang for strength. Confirm each listing for specific tang details.

Liteband

Brand Overview

Liteband is the headlamp brand of Optimal Ventures LLC, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois and founded in 2018. The brand's history page documents an engineer led mission to replace traditional spot beam headlamps with a wide beam architecture that lights the entire near field instead of a single hotspot. The flagship ACTIV series and the PRO 2500 multi beam model use this wide beam design.

Product Categories and Related Collections

Liteband fits naturally in our Outdoor Flashlights and Camping Flashlights collections. The rechargeable batteries tie back to Battery Management, and the LED beanie pairs cleanly with cold weather camping gear from our Camping Accessories selection.

Featured Products at Lotz Outdoors

ACTIV 350 Lumen LED Wide Beam Rechargeable Headlamp	ACTIV 520 Lumen LED Wide Beam Rechargeable Headlamp	Tactical Flashlight
3400 mAh Rechargeable Battery	ACTIV 520-Lumen LED Beanie	FLEX 300 LED Wide Beam Headlamp
1800 mAh Rechargeable Battery	PRO 2500 Lumen PureHD™ Multi-Beam Rechargeable Headlamp

Quick Facts

• Headquarters: Arlington Heights, Illinois, United States
• Founded: 2018
• Founders or Ownership: Optimal Ventures LLC, engineer led
• Product Category: Wide beam rechargeable LED headlamps and lighting
• Best Known For: Wide beam LED architecture and the ACTIV series of rechargeable headlamps
• Typical Customer: Trail runners, backcountry hikers, hunters, anglers, camp cooks, dog walkers
• Notable Product Types: ACTIV 350 and 520 lumen headlamps, PRO 2500 multi beam, FLEX 300 headlamp, LED beanie, 1800 and 3400 mAh rechargeable batteries, tactical flashlight

Reputation and Target Customer

Liteband has been profiled in GearJunkie coverage of wide beam headlamps and in Trail Runner headlamp shootouts. Customers praise the comfort of the wider band design and the way the spread of light reduces eye fatigue compared with hotspot only spot beams. The LED beanie has earned a small but enthusiastic following in cold weather hunting and dog walking circles.

Why We Added This Brand

We added Liteband because our customers asked for a rechargeable headlamp that lights the whole near field for camp work, fly tying, and trail running. Carrying the ACTIV 350, ACTIV 520, and PRO 2500 gives customers a complete beam tier from camp chores to backcountry navigation.

Best For

Best for trail runners who want a flatter beam during pre dawn miles, hunters at first light setting tree stands, anglers tying knots at the dock, campers cooking after sunset, and dog walkers crossing unlit streets at night.

How It Fits Our Catalog

Liteband adds a category leading headlamp brand to our Lighting assortment alongside boat and camp lighting. The rechargeable 1800 and 3400 mAh battery options give power users a spare to keep in a pack pocket.

Brand FAQ

What is a wide beam headlamp?
A wide beam headlamp spreads light evenly across a broad arc instead of concentrating it in a single hotspot. This reduces eye fatigue and shadow contrast for tasks like cooking, route finding, and gear setup.

Are Liteband headlamps rechargeable?
Yes, the ACTIV, FLEX, and PRO models use rechargeable lithium ion batteries. Replacement 1800 mAh and 3400 mAh packs are available for swapping in the field.

Is the LED beanie warm in cold weather?
The ACTIV 520 lumen LED beanie uses a knit cap with a removable wide beam LED panel, so it doubles as a cold weather hat and a hands free light source.

Noso Patches

Brand Overview

Noso Patches is a gear repair brand founded in 2016 by Kelli Jones in Jackson, Wyoming. Jones started the company after repairing her own puffy jacket with a patch she designed, and the brand has been profiled by Silicon Couloir, Outside Online, and Mountain Life. Noso peel and stick patches permanently repair down jackets, sleeping bags, raincoats, tents, and packs without sewing.

Product Categories and Related Collections

Noso Patches fits our Camping Accessories collection and Outdoor Accessories, with relevance to anyone shopping for puffy jackets, sleeping bags, and tents that may need field repair after a long season.

Featured Products at Lotz Outdoors

Browse the full Noso Patches collection for current patterns and availability. Product photography is rolling out as our team finishes shooting the new lineup.

Quick Facts

• Headquarters: Jackson, Wyoming, United States
• Founded: 2016
• Founders or Ownership: Founded by Kelli Jones, independently owned
• Product Category: Outdoor gear repair, peel and stick patches
• Best Known For: Permanent stick on patches for down jackets, sleeping bags, tents, and packs
• Typical Customer: Backpackers, climbers, alpine skiers, kids gear families, gear repair enthusiasts
• Notable Product Types: Fly fishing patch, bandana print, great wave, classic tie dye, turtle, bee, snow camo cross, GI Joe camo

Reputation and Target Customer

Noso has earned coverage in Outside, Backpacker, and trade press for its women led origin story and for normalizing gear repair as an alternative to replacement. The brand sells through specialty outdoor retailers and supports the repair over replace ethos championed by groups such as Patagonia Worn Wear.

Why We Added This Brand

We added Noso Patches because customers buy expensive insulated jackets and sleeping bags and they should be able to extend that gear with a proper repair instead of replacing it after the first snag. A small assortment of fly fishing, bandana, and classic tie dye patches gives our customers a repair option that also looks intentional.

Best For

Best for backpackers patching a snag on a down jacket mid trip, alpine climbers fixing a rip in a shell after a rappel, parents covering wear spots on kid sleeping bags, and anyone who would rather patch a hole than retire a $300 puffy.

How It Fits Our Catalog

Noso Patches deepens our gear repair and gear care lineup alongside camping accessories. Pair the patches with items from Camping Medical Kits and Outdoor Medical Kits as part of a complete repair and first aid setup.

Brand FAQ

Do Noso Patches actually stay on permanently?
Yes, when applied to clean, dry fabric and pressed firmly. Noso uses a tenacious adhesive that holds on technical nylons, down baffles, and laminated shells through washing and field use.

Can I wash a jacket with a Noso Patch on it?
Yes, Noso Patches are designed to survive washing and drying. Avoid extra hot water or aggressive solvents that could break down the adhesive.

What fabrics work best with Noso?
Noso bonds well to ripstop nylon, technical shell fabrics, sleeping bag and down jacket fabrics, and many synthetic insulations. They are not ideal for raw cotton or stretchy soft shell fabrics.

Weekly Wrap Up

This week's additions span soft plastic fishing baits for bass, hand forged knives, wide beam rechargeable led headlamps and lighting, and outdoor gear repair and reflect what our customers keep telling us they want, durable gear from small and mid sized makers backed by real customer support. Every brand on the list this week earned its spot by solving a specific problem worth stocking.

Take a few minutes to explore each brand's collection. Click any shop button below to jump to the full lineup, and reach out if you want help building a kit around these new arrivals at Lotz Outdoors.

Shop Southern Indiana Bait Co.Shop JW SteelCraftsShop LitebandShop Noso Patches