Buyer’s Guide – How to Choose a Fishing Sunglasses
Why do you need polarized sunglasses for fishing?
The floater fisherman needs in order to be able easily see the float on the wave in sunny weather.
Spinning and fly-fishing fishermen need in order to see what happens under the water.
Polarized fishing glasses
The polarization grating of the glasses’ light filter practically freely passes a stream of light that runs perpendicular to the surface. The background light formed by refraction or scattering on small objects falls on the lens at an angle. As a result, the angler’s glasses guarantee a clear picture, without distortion and light, exactly where angler’s look is directed. Due to the fact that the refracted light hits the polarizing lenses, its intensity decreases. It gets rid of glare, for example, from ripples on the water, and also helps to reduce the scattering of light to see at great depth. Polarized sunglasses allow spinners to keep the track of the bait, and also to identify its pursuer in time for the possibility of changing the speed and trajectory of the wobblers. Lovers of bottom fishing will appreciate polarized glasses, when even a light bite can be easily identified by the movement of the tip of the rod, which won’t be lost in glare from the surface of the water. During the winter fishing polarized glasses significantly reduce the intensity and brightness of white snow, ice, allowing angler to catch the flag signal in time and prevent the loss of rigging in algae. In spring and summer, when some fish are kept in shallow water, it is possible to detect fish wearing polarized glasses faster than it will notice the fisherman or bait.
It worth to note that 95% of fishing glasses are polarized and will be suitable for any type of fishing.
Fly fishing sunglasses
Sunglasses for fly fishing, like for any other type of fishing, are generally polarized. Polarization is extremely important as these lenses filter out the light reflected from the surface of the water. In practice, it means that angler can look more easily at the river, and spot fish that can be missed if not wearing polarized glasses. What is extremely important for fly fishing glasses is their lens color. The best choice would be amber tinted lenses as it is considered to be the color of river bed. Red lenses may help you with the vision when the sun goes down.
How to Choose Sunglasses
The procedure for selecting polarized glasses should be approached very carefully and wisely. After all, the aforementioned accessory should serve a long time, conscientiously performing its functions. What is worth paying attention to? The most important role, first of all, is played by the quality of the frame and its shape. The next important point is the color of the lens. The color rendition of the environment will depend on them. The most suitable one can be gray since it does not actually distort reality. If the cloudy weather outside the window or it is already dusk, the choice will be better to stop on the glasses, which have light filters. The same black or gray color will not allow you to clearly discern anything, because it is better to wear it in case of fishing in the bright sun. Shades should provide the perfect fit, without creating even the slightest discomfort. So, for example, the unpleasant sensations of fidgeting on the bridge of the nose or the squeeze due to uncomfortable archways, obviously will not contribute to the pleasure of fishing. In more expensive models of glasses, these features are possible to adjust. If the polarizing glasses are of really high quality, they will provide their owner with magnificent vision through their entire area. This is also a very important criterion. The correct glasses have a streamlined shape; it protects from the side sun rays. However, it is necessary to take into account that curvilinear lenses are installed in this kind of frame, which can negatively affect a person’s vision. Lightness and comfort – the following parameters on the list, on which you need to focus your attention. Acquired sunglasses should not only withstand any situation in the fishing process but also suit the face of its owner.
Things to Consider
Color of Lenses
Gray is neutral. Such lenses to some extent reduce the overall level of illumination, however, do not change the color balance. It is optimal for sunny weather, provides the best color rendering.
Lenses of dark green color work well in conditions of long exposure to the sun. They shift the spectrum towards the blue, allowing not to concentrate on small details and to perceive the picture with little effort, which reduces eye fatigue.
Dark brown glasses promote concentration, allowing angler to see better what’s happening at depth in bright light.
Yellow lenses enhance the contrast of the image and give an excellent advantage in the twilight or in cloudy weather. Also, the ability to display bright colors is useful for fans of trout fishing, for example – they make it easier to identify fish in the water.
Yellow-brown lenses are used for sunny weather with variable cloudiness, which preserve the contrast. It is considered a universal color choice.
Blue lenses are for dazzling-sunny weather and a large water surface. It does not suit fishing in the evening twilight.
Mirror lenses are suitable for sea fishing.
“Chameleon” lenses automatically change the degree of darkening depending on the incident light flux. Therefore, under any conditions, the level of illumination remains approximately constant.
The most popular lens colors among fishermen are gray, copper and yellow.
Material of Lenses
Glass lenses. They better resist ultraviolet radiation. They are characterized by high abrasion resistance, since they are less susceptible to abrasion and have a long service life. They are protected from fogging with a special coating. They can have deportees for low vision. Glass lenses consist of the plates and a polarized filter placed between them. This technology ensures the protection of the filter for the entire period of their use. The disadvantages of glass lenses are: low safety as if they are damaged, it breaks up into fragments that can damage the eye. They usually have a heavy construction and he price is higher.
Plastic (polycarbonate) lenses. The major materials for these lenses are PRC, PPM, PH, PCR, etc. The advantages of these lenses are their strength and capability to be made with any degree of curvature for panoramic viewing. Undoubtedly, this is an essential feature for the angler. However, very often the coating with a polarization filter is only in the form of a film on the surface. This greatly reduces the service life due to scratches and abrasion of the surface.
Frame
The frame provides the comfort of wearing glasses. With a successful choice, glasses won’t be felt on the face, they won’t crush or fall off when walking. Manufacturers provide the frames with additional options: adjustable handles, connected by a special rubber band, side shields from the rays. Side screens should be removable to prevent fogging, or with ventilation holes. If the fisherman goes to winter fishing with frequent moves, it is recommended to choose a frame made of plastic. The metal frame is more durable, but the glasses are slightly heavier.
Glasses for on-shore fishing
If you prefer fishing on the shore or in freshwater, and if you go fly fishing, lake or stream fishing, etc., you need to get lenses of light colors, which provide a slight contrast. Polarization and lenses are important for on shore same as for off shore as the glasses will help to eliminate the glare. However, such lenses as of amber, rose, copper, or brown color are going to make the light brighter. The best option for on-shore polarized glasses can be glasses with green, silver, copper lenses.
Glasses for offshore fishing
When you go off-shore fishing you need your glasses should have heavy lenses made of glass not plastic as the light from the open ocean is extremely intense. It is better to choose darker colors of lenses for off-shore fishing. The best choice can be mirror blue or deep blue lenses. Remember that glasses for off-shore should be durable as very often anglers deal there with harsh conditions. It would be great if there is a stripe that is connected to the glasses so you can hang them on the neck and do not loose.
Conclusion
Any fishing sunglasses should, above all, provide good visibility, and it depends on the optical properties of the glass. When choosing an accessory, pay attention to the models of a fitting form. Glasses of this type have better protection from sunlight, which comes from the side. Qualitative models of shades for fishing have optimized lenses, in which there are no peculiar peripheral zones. Lens coating should be of good quality because your vision also depends on it. When choosing glasses, consider in what weather conditions and in what environment they will be most often used.