From patches sewn on dress shirts, to patches sewn on vests, to combinations of patches and embroidery, the professional angler has come a long way to today's look. Digital technology combined with UV-protected cloth and thread parlayed with custom design, appliqué and embroidery has taken today's angler from tacky to classy, and the anglers, the fans and sponsors love the new look.

The company most responsible for the modern evolution of the tournament shirt is Gemini Sport Marketing out of Grand Rapids, Minn. "To feel the part, you have to look the part," noted Gemini's VP/general manager, Todd Hammill. "We take a lot of pride in today's look and feel we've helped raise the bar of professionalism.

"We look to deliver the best-looking shirts and the best logos, and help the angler represent his sponsors in the most professional and organized manner. We can deliver quicker, with less turnaround time, and provide better-looking products than ever before."

Many of the top tour pros use Gemini, which "says a lot about how we do things," Hammill noted.

Top manufacturers also use Gemini. For example, Yamaha's well-known blue-and-white tournament jerseys were designed with Gemini's assistance. "When we designed the shirt, we wanted something that had our brand in the forefront and were really looking to wow the fans," said Yamaha's David Simmons. "We feel we accomplished it with the help of Gemini.

"We combined great Yamaha colors, custom appliqué and script embroidery never seen before on tournament shirts, and they shouted 'Yamaha.' We hit the mark dead on, and the response has been great."

Gemini is now providing its much-praised shirt services for non-pro anglers and organizations. They can custom-design your shirt, provide the embroidery, appliqué and logos, and turn them around faster than you can say, "worm weight."

Taking an afterthought and positioning it as a critical element in today's pay-for-play bass fishing game is what Gemini is all about. The company also has a full line of fishing accessories perfect for every BassFan, including clippers, scissors, forceps, rod tubes, bait covers, lanyards and towels. Each carries the quality that Gemini is noted for and can be customized to your organization.

For more information, check out Gemini's web site www.geminisportmarketing.com.