Welcome to Gill's Vortex... Hood

Introduction: Anglers who pay attention to rainwear alternatives are probably already familiar with Gill, a company that has outfitted the sailing industry with some of the highest performing waterproof garments available for the last forty years. The company made a soft push into the bass market roughly five years ago, but now they're finally ready to go full bore with three sets of gear tailored specifically for the angler.

Gill is no stranger to us having been featured in at least three review articles even garnering a TackleTour Editor's Choice award for their IN10 jacket.

But now the company is set to make some real noise in the bass fishing market with their new FG2 Tournament Jacket.

FG2 Tournament: Gill recently signed 5 new names to their pro staff to fill out their roster and help them design and test their new F2 Tournament Series guide wear. Now, in addition to Dean Rojas, the company is sponsoring Russ Lane, Jared Lintner, Michael Neal, Jason Christie, and Randall Tharp. It is these six pro bass anglers that gave valuable input to the wants and needs of tournament anglers.

This jacket has been tailored for the bass fisherman with the introduction of Gill's VortexHood.

The VortexHood is built with weather proof vents to let air out the back of the hood while you're running at high speed relieving you of that uncomfortable feeling when your hood fills up with air pulling your head back.

With that in mind, the big design breakthrough made with the F2 Tournament jacket is the VortexHood. Ever notice, when running from spot to spot with the hood of your jacket up, how it catches air and in some cases pulls your head back? You want to keep it up when its raining, yet you want to put it down because of the discomfort. Well, the VortexHood by Gill eliminates this issue by providing weather proof ports through which that trapped air can flow out of your hood as fast as it comes in - all this while still keep you dry at high speeds and standing still.

The jacket also features a double cuff for added water protection.

The matching bib for the FG2 Tournament Jacket.

Featuring articulated joints for ease of movement and reinforcement at the knees and rear-end for kneeling and sitting.

The jacket and bibs are constructed of Gill's soft, flexible and light weight 3Dot fabric wit articulated arms and legs to give you freedom of movement while driving the boat, getting up to stand on deck, casting, fighting and landing fish, kneeling down to change lures, the entire breadth of movement while out on the water for a day of bass fishing in foul weather. The pockets are lined with fleece to help keep your hands warm and the collar is as well to add a bit of warmth but also help prevent chaffing

The FG2 Tournament Jacket is also available in this black/grey combination.

All seams are taped and sealed for water protection, and there are retractable inner and outer wrist cuff seals to prevent water from running up or down your arms. Ykk zippers with double storm flaps keep water out when you zip the jacket up. Gill's motto is to keep anglers comfortable in high performing garments while keeping the dry. Retail on the F2 Tournament jacket is $299 while the bib pants are set to retail for $249.

Need something packable and lightweight? How about the FG1 Expedition jacket?

FG1 Expedition : The FG1 Expedition series is more about preparation for unforeseen circumstances - at least that's what the Marina Jacket is about. This waterproof, yet breathable shell is made from a fabric with a durable, water repellent finish. It features Gill's traditional full taped seams for a waterproof seal. It features a dry-touch lining to absorb moisture and neutralize odors, adjustable cuffs, zippered hand pockets, 2-way adjustable hood, and drawcord hem. It will be available in four colors and will retail for $99.95.

This jacket comes with a standard, but adjustable hood.

And a single, adjustable cuff.

The FG1 Expedition Shorts are a 7 pocket, water repellent pair of shorts built with wicking inner lining and attachment points on the outside for tools, lanyards, kill-switch leashes, etc. It features a Velcro waist adjustment and will available in either graphite or khaki for $65. Also included in this FG1 Expedition series will be a sun gaiter for $25.95.

The SG1 also consists of these water resistant shorts.

Available in the two colors shown.

Sun gaiters are also introduced under the SG1 lineup.

FG3 Master Series : For even more serious anglers anticipating more serious weather, Gill is introducing their new FG3 Master Series of garments. Headlining this series is the new KB1 jacket made from Gill's 4Dot material featuring 3 layers of waterproof yet breathable construction. Like all Gill outerwear the KB1 features fully taped seams for water proofing. The jacket has all the traditional Gill amenities like a packable, fully adjustable hood. The KB1 Jacket will retail for $325 or you can select the KB1 Smock which is similar to the jacket only with a stretch neoprene waistband for a more watertight seal for $349.

The KB1 Jacket, part of the SG3 Master Series, is the favorite of BASS Elite Angler and Gill Prostaff, Dean Rojas.

While the KB1 Jacket looked great, the bib was even more intriguing.

The accompanying bib for the KB1 Jacket and Smock are the KB1 Racer Trousers. This set of bibs has a high fit design with a full panel coming up over your torso to fit like a vest. The back is a super-stretch panel that velcros to the shoulders. This flexible back relieves pressure on our shoulders - a common malady with rain bibs after wearing them for a full day. The KB1 Racing Trousers will retail for $339. Gill will also be making a pair of waterproof pants to go with this series for $235.

It features a full front looking more like a vest, and with a more fitted look thanks to the adjustable waist.

What's more, this stretchable fabric on the back ensures less fatigue on your shoulders after a full day suited up out on the water.

Jerry Richards, Gill National Marine Sales Manager, models the latest FG2 Tournament Jacket for us with VotexHood deployed and ready for action.

Conclusion: Gill no doubt discovered that you cannot just offer bass fishermen as a whole, product you developed for a different industry and expect them to follow along no matter how suitable that product might be. Instead, to satisfy a group of consumers who now need to have specific applications and techniques listed on the rods they purchase, you need to tailor your product to their needs. The new, FG2 Tournament Jacket, with it's perhaps more important innovation of the VortexHood is a big step in the right direction.