New rod line reels in Best of Show at ICAST

After spending a year on the road to see what Florida had to offer, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) was back at the Las Vegas Convention Center last week, attracting fishing product manufacturers and retailers from around the globe.

Produced by the American Sportfishing Association, the convention provided an opportunity to see interesting new products and services that soon will be available.

The Overall Best of Show award went to the new NRX line of fishing rods by G.Loomis.

These handsome, lightweight rods will be available in bait-casting and spinning configurations as well as a wide selection of fly rods. The folks at G.Loomis say these rods are the best they have built and back that statement with an equally proud price tag.

The bass rods cost from $450 to $500 per stick. Fly fishermen can expect to pay a little more, from $700 to $1,170.

G.Loomis plans to launch NRX sales in the showrooms of 50 selected retailers in mid-August but will expand its availability shortly thereafter.

Another bass rod that had people talking is the new Z-Bone line by Kistler Rods.

Coincidentally, the Z-Bone rod blank was designed by Gary Loomis -- founder and one-time owner of G.Loomis -- and constructed in his North Fork Composites plant in Woodland, Wash.

This 3-ounce rod is available in more than 50 models and configurations, but you won't have to settle for what you find on the store shelf. At the Kistler Custom Rod Shop (kistlerrods.com), you can design your rod and select the options you want -- everything from handle and reel seat to thread wrap and guides. You can even add a logo, name or special message.

Like the NRX series, the Z-Bone is not an inexpensive rod.

Through the Kistler custom shop, the rod blank begins at $250. The total price will depend on your personal taste and the options you choose. The NRX and Z-Bone are nice rods and extremely lightweight, though I preferred the feel and balance of the Z-Bone. The real test, of course, is what they do on the water.

Another product that created no small stir among ICAST attendees is based on a rather simple idea and is found at the totally opposite end of the price spectrum.

The Shark Tooth spool management system is designed to keep your fishing line or tippet spools from becoming tangled in your tackle box or in your vest. Basically, it's a band made from elastic fabric that holds your line in place on the spool and enables you to easily remove line or tippet material without fear of having the remaining line become tangled or come off the spool on its own.

In the Shark Tooth band is a small brass grommet, through which the tag end of your fishing line passes, and a built-in blade for cutting the line. The blade is imbedded in a white plastic piece, which could resemble a tooth.

Just slip the Shark Tooth over the spool and feed the tag end of your line or tippet material through the grommet. Pull on the line until you have what you want and cut it off on the blade. No more fumbling for nippers or using your teeth.

More information is available at getsharktooth.com.

Freelance writer Doug Nielsen is a conservation educator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. His "In the Outdoors" column, published Thursday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NDOW. Any opinions he states in his column are his own. He can be reached at intheoutdoorslv@gmail.com.