How to Select Sunglasses for Fishing

Polarized sunglasses are a fisherman's best friend, as they cut glare from the water's surface, allowing you to see what's underneath. Knowing where the fish are makes it easier for you to decide where to cast your line, in hopes of reeling in a prize catch. Check out the tips provided below to learn how to select the best sunglasses for fishing.

Instructions

Style and Material

1. Check out the different brands of polarized sunglasses for fishing out on the market. Maui Jim, Costa Del Mar, Ray-Ban and Fisherman's View are just a select few who make quality fisherman's sunglasses. You can find polarized sunglasses for fishing at sporting good stores like Cabela's, Dick's and Gander Mountain, local bait shops and camping supply outlets, the sporting goods department at major department store chains like Wal-Mart and Big Kmart and in a variety of online shops like Fisherman's View and Sunglasses Giant.

2. Try on your sunglasses to make sure they don't slide down your nose or feel too tight behind your ears. Because you'll be out in the elements all day, you'll want a pair of sunglasses that hold up.

3. Invest in glass lenses. Glass lenses tend to be more expensive, but the optics are clearer and they are more resistant to scratches and wear. Expect to pay between $150-$300 for glass lens polarized sunglasses.

4. Try out polycarbonate lenses if you can't afford glass lenses. Polycarbonate lenses are lighter weight and more resistant to wear and scratches than acrylic lenses. Polycarbonate lenses can run anywhere from $25-$200, with high-end brands weighing in on the more expensive end.

5. Acrylic lenses are the cheapest option, but the underwater view is not as clear as polycarbonate and glass lenses. Acrylic lenses still cut down on glare. If you can't afford to spend a lot of money on sunglasses, they do will do the job. You can pick up an inexpensive pair of acrylic polarized glasses for around $15.

Lens Tints

1. Use gray polarized lenses in bright sunlight on vast, open water.

2. Copper-colored polarized lenses absorb blue light from the spectrum, making them valuable for clear-water fishing.

3. Shallow-water fishing is best viewed through brown, polarized lenses.

4. Use amber polarized lenses on cloudy days, early morning or in the late evening when natural light is low.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your fishing sunglasses come with ear straps. Ear straps hold the sunglasses around your neck and prevent them from falling into the water.

References

• Dick's Sporting Goods
• Technical Gear
• Cabela's

Resources

• Fisherman's View
• Sunglasses Giant