February 23, 2008 - Choosing the Right Fishing Sunglasses
"The fishing was good, it was the catching that was bad." -- A. K. Best
Anglers know that any day spent fishing is a good day. While not all conditions can be controlled, the right gear can make all the difference in catching or not catching the fish.
See the fish before they see you.
When the fish are biting you want to be able to see them and that means having the right fishing sunglasses. In bright and low light conditions you will want to be able to see clearly and equipment makes a big difference.
One of the problems faced when fishing is glare from the sun. Glare is caused when light bounces off of reflective surfaces such as water, moisture in the air or even the highway. Glare will not only hinder your ability to see fish and underwater structures but can result in eye strain and fatigue as your eyes try to adjust. Polarized fishing sunglasses are the solution to clear vision and relaxed eyes.
Sunlight can be problematic even on overcast days. Polarized fishing sunglasses block overhead and reflected glare with the use of mirrors and anti-reflective coatings. The polarized fishing sunglasses block the glare allowing the remaining light to fall in a narrow range of intensity resulting in sharper, clearer vision minus the glare, eye strain and washed out colors.
Polycarbonate vs Glass Lenses? In general polycarbonate or CR-39 lenses are more lightweight, more impact-resistance and are geared more towards active or sports sunglasses. They still maintain excellent optical resolution and usually come in a wider range of sport specific color options and interchangeable lens sets. Glass lenses tend to be a bit heavier overall but technology is keeping up and thinner, more lightweight glass lens are readily available. Glass lenses offer exceptional visual quality, optical clarity and maximum scratch resistance and are recommended for situations where vision is everything. While somewhat impact-resistant they are not recommended for active sports.
Look for lenses that offer anti-reflective coatings and the ability to shed water. The combination of water and sun can be brutal and you need frames designed to stand up to the harsh conditions.
When choosing the right fishing sunglasses there are two main things to consider.
·What time of day do you generally fish?
·What type of fishing do you do?
Time of Day
Early morning, dusk or overcast conditions
With less ambient light outside you need more light coming through the lens to your eyes and a way to enhance the details. Think about photochromic, light adjusting lenses that will adjust as the day lightens or darkens. Interchangeable lenses will allow a wider variety of light conditions
Mid-day, cloudless and full sunlight days
Bright sun conditions mean lots of glare and you need a way to block the light and eliminate the glare without losing the details. Mirrored coatings will help cut the glare. Interchangeable lenses will allow you to quickly adapt to changing light conditions.
Type of Fishing
Sight fishing, flats fishing or fly fishing
Shallow water fishing has the bottom interfering with shadow and ground coloring helping to camouflage the fish. You'll need some additional contrast, sharper detail and enhanced depth perception. Look for yellow or amber/copper lenses.
Open water, sport fishing or saltwater fishing
Open water fishing has changing light conditions and glare being bounced around by the water. You'll need to adjust to the ever changing light conditions and to eliminate the glare. Stick with neutral colors like gray or brown
Costa Del Mar Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Hard-core sunglasses for hard-core saltwater junkies.
TR90 nylon provides the strength and flexibility to survive the daily grind. The best hinges in the world. Corrosion-resistant stainless steel. Scratchproof encapsulated mirror, 8 layers of reflecting zircon, titanium and magnesium oxides, embedded in the lens, not stuck on the outside. Premium glare absorbing anti-reflective coating. Water-repellent coating sheds water, snow and even saltwater. 100% UV Protection. LIFETIME Warranty.
Smith Action Optics Polarized Fly Fishing Sunglasses
The recognized standard for polarized and photochromic performance.
TR90 Grilamid frame provides the strength and flexibility to survive the daily grind. Hydrophobic coatings on both the front and back of the lens sheds water and makes cleaning easier. An anti-reflective coating inside the lens eliminates bothersome sidelight reflections. 100% UV Protection. LIFETIME Warranty.
Polarized Bifocal Sunglasses
For the angler whose near vision is not as sharp as it once was, polarized bifocal sunglasses are a great option. Polarized bifocal sunglasses combine the anti-reflective properties of polarized fishing sunglasses with the magnification of bifocal glasses. Perfect for tying on a small fly or reading a map
Smith Action Optics offers polarized bifocal sunglasses in a magnification of +2.25 while Costa Del Mar offers two magnifications, +1.75 or +2.50.
With the right fishing sunglasses you can be sure that both the fishing and catching will be good!
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About Me
Information about sunglasses and goggles for sports. With recommendations for specific sports and outdoor activities and suggestions on where to find them.
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