Whether stalking bonefish on the flats or sight casting to tuna in offshore blue waters, the most important piece of equipment next to the fly reel is quality polarized sunglasses that eliminate glare off the water’s surface. Drugstore purchased sunglasses? Forget them. All they do is make you look sharp. Perhaps the most valuable piece of equipment in your fishing arsenal is a high-end polarized sunglasses, especially on those occasions when you are realigning the position of a fish to which you are casting or merely looking for good structure or a ball of bait fish.
The variety of polarized lens colors choices can prove confusing to the uninitiated so here are a few guidelines when selecting your glasses.
For shallow flats, beaches and marshes:
- Amber lenses
For deep water, offshore waters, and bright sunlight:
- Grey lenses
For softer light, glare, and cloudy days:
- Yellow, Light Rose or Amber Lenses
Frame styles vary greatly, but function and coverage are the major concerns to consider. Choose a frame providing good coverage over the eyes as well as in the temple area. Look for frames that do not let in light peripherally ( from the side of the head) and choose a frame that will remain comfortable throughout a long fishing day. Light weight frames with arms that don’t pinch behind the ears should be considered.
When choosing a lens material the thought has traditionally leaned to glass, which surpasses plastic or other synthetics; however, current thinking regarding lenses and the materials used in their making has changed dramatically with the development of outstanding synthetic lens material.
Eye wear is a personal choice. Whether you’re a hipster or lean more toward the traditional eyewear styles, the most important thing to remember is this: Lens coloration and eye coverage.