best color lenses for polarized sunglasses for fishing?

tiki_man · Post by **tiki_man** » Tue May 13, 2008 9:47 am

was out on the lake the other day and my partner, who was wearing polarized sunglasses, motions me and says in a loud whisper, "look! look!". he was apparently pointing out two HUGE bass swimming by in about 6 feet of water...i was wearing non-polarized sunglasses and didn't see a thing!

so, now, i'm shopping for a good pair of polarized sunglasses. i see that the lenses come in a variety of tints, including yellow, brown, grey, and blue.

i remember from my shooting days that yellow increases contrast...but, is that what i want for fishing? how about blue? what does blue do when it comes to fishing?

i'm most tempted just to stick with standard grey lenses but want to know if blue would be even better for cutting the reflections on water. thanks.

185vsfrog · Post by **185vsfrog** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:09 am

From what I heard, Solar Bats in the Mossback color are the best for sight fishing. I have a pair and they work good for me.

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:25 am

Send Gator a PM he has some Costa's he will probably let you try out.

ash · Post by **ash** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:38 am

I keep two lenses in my boat Yellow and Grey. I use the Yellow when sight fishing or low light days and the grey when it is bright and I am not specifically sight fishing. Wearing the yellow all day when its really bright gives me a headache, and at times cycling through the lenses I can see different things down there.

I use Cocoons cause I dont have lazik nor can I wear contacts. I am very happy with my cocoons.

Buzzbait · Post by **Buzzbait** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:48 am

Strike King Polarized Fishing Sport Sunglasses

Available at

L Dub · Post by **L Dub** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:50 am

I use brown for low light and just got a pair of revos with grey/ blue tint lenses.

If you want to go cheap and somewhat disposable, Walgreens has a pretty good selection of polarized. They price around $15.

I went that route for about a year, but in the last two months picked up a pair of costa del mars and the revos. The clarity in these compared to the cheaper ones is a lot better, but my final verdict on these vs the Walgreens brand hasen't been made yet.

If you're running in a boat though, spend the extra money. It's worth it for the protection while you're running. (shatter proof lenses)

My $0.02...

Cooch · Post by **Cooch** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:50 am

The most common rule of thumb is the darker greens, greys and brown lenses work best in high light conditions, they work purty good all the time and are the most versatile. The yellow or amber glasses, are really good for extreme low light conditions, like in the evenings or under real foggy conditions.

I too, like Frog, prefer the Mossback from SolarBats. Although, as each individual's eyes are different, as are the manufactures' behind the design and engineering of each model, each vendor's lense will appear different to the vast array of individual anglers. It's very difficult for me or anyone else to say, this vendor's lense is the BEST, bar none! Many will state this, but there are no hard facts supporting their claims, it is simply a personal opinion. I know this to be true because I see stuff with my glasses on, that others can not see when I hand mine to them. Yet others can not see with their brand glasses, what I see with mine, and visaversa.

Personally, I think it's more important that you have a pair of glasses that fit's yer head better and are more comfortable day in and day out, all year long. As long as you are sticking with "polorized" type lenses, you'll be better prepair to block the glare and see into the water. But if those glasses don't fit yer head right, it can lead to bigger problems for you, like head aches, sinus issues or they fall off often. Most of the time, with the exception of spring, when bass are spawning, the need to have a far superior polorized lense that allows deeper vision into the water, it's a less critical option.

You will not know what yer buying, until ya do so and get out on the water with them. You may find that you'll have several pairs before ya find that one pair that works best for your eyes.

Andy Giannini · Post by **Andy Giannini** » Tue May 13, 2008 12:18 pm

I am not a great sight fisherman, but polarized glasses kick butt year round. You can see little things, like deeper weededges, wood, etc. I think you can see better to operate the boat, without all the confusing shimmer on the water.

I pick grey because it just seems to work better for me, all around. Fishing, work, hunting, its seems more neutral. It may not be best for sight fishing.

Cooch is right about the right fit. Right now I am struggling with a pair of Oakleys I bought for work, that keep giving me headaches, this after two fitments at the optician's! I am going to have to back again. Forget my ego, I really do have a FAT head, XXXL in helmet size!

I would not buy any glasses without polarization period. (Except my clear safeties for shop use.)

A.G.

Caudawg · Post by **Caudawg** » Tue May 13, 2008 2:42 pm

Cooch is right on about getting a good fit. I have a pair of SolarBat Mossback Gradients and they work great except they don't really fit my large Irish noggin very well. I have only used them a couple of times and they are like new. I think I paid $125 for them.

So if anyone wants to buy or trade for them...send me a PM.

I am willing to trade for any of the following:

1) hunting gear for my 11 year old son (raingear, waders size 5, etc),
2) 2-3 hours of labor putting a topcoat on my hunting trailer (Elk Grove Area). I am still recovering from shoulder surgery and can't do this job myself.
3) A Buff Hendricks Crankin rod (this is a longshot but worth asking...lol! Marcel??KB???)
4) A Stradic reel for dropshotting

meanstick · Post by **meanstick** » Tue May 13, 2008 3:00 pm

I have experimented with different colors of glasses and the best color for my eyes is amber. They are the best for seeing under water. Right now I am using a pair of Maui Jims. But my opinion is that one brand is as good as the next brand. Strike King or Bill Dance are great and you can get either one for under $15.

Johnny C · Post by **Johnny C** » Tue May 13, 2008 3:46 pm

I use costas and love them. But if you are going to go with less expensive get a pair of yellow for the morning or clouds and a pair of amber for the sunlight. The yellow in low light will help you see those followers better and you will see much better on your morning run.

kopper_bass · Post by **kopper_bass** » Tue May 13, 2008 3:57 pm

tiki-man,
Cooch and others are right; there is no perfect or best pair. Just like buying a boat, everyone has their opinion, but you need to go and try a few out and try them in different colors and see for yourself. What works for me won't necessarily be good for you.

Case in point - i have tried many different company's version of green & grey lenses and yet they all give me vertigo on the water. i get super dizzy and almost fall out the boat. no lie. its not the brand, its the color. on land its better, but still not great, so i just dont wear them.

Instead I use Costa Del Mar's in the yellow for early morngin runs and fog, then switch over to the amber lenses all day long, every day. i never take them off. i love them.

BTW - Costa Del Mar does have an eyeglass design that has inter-changeable lenses. these can be handy if you feel the need to switch up and use different lenses for different applications. i think there are others too that have a similiar setup, so maybe you should look at that too.

Good luck,

Kopper_Bass

Oh, one last thing. No personal atack on Buzzbait, but for god's sake, don't listen to him. These are your eyes your protecting; you only get 1 pair. Go spend a few bucks and get a real pair of glasses and don't buy WallMart brand. Save the penny pinching for lures, worms, or something else.

Cheers!

Buzzbait · Post by **Buzzbait** » Wed May 14, 2008 11:09 am

kopper_bass wrote: .....Save the penny pinching for lures, worms, or something else.
Cheers!

Rods & reels??

kopper_bass · Post by **kopper_bass** » Wed May 14, 2008 12:43 pm

Buzzbait,
Yes, skimp on those too, if you must.
It always surprises me how fisherman spend big dollars on baits, rods, reels, etc. thinking its good for them. Yet, when it comes to buying equipment built to protect you (your body) from harm, everybody tries to do it on the cheap.

1- no lifejacket, or the cheapest they can buy.
2 - plastic rainsuits that dont keep you dry, nor warm.
3 - 5$ flip flops vs. a cushioned, balanced shoe or boot.
4 - cheap-o sunglasses that dont protect your eyes.
you get the idea......

Spend your money on yourself first; guarantee that you're gonna be safe and secure out there.

Then spend all the money you want on rods, reels, baits, etc.

Good Luck,

Kopper_Bass

Buzzbait · Post by **Buzzbait** » Wed May 14, 2008 2:42 pm

kopper_bass wrote:Buzzbait,
Yes, skimp on those too, if you must.
It always surprises me how fisherman spend big dollars on baits, rods, reels, etc. thinking its good for them. Yet, when it comes to buying equipment built to protect you (your body) from harm, everybody tries to do it on the cheap.

1- no lifejacket, or the cheapest they can buy.
2 - plastic rainsuits that dont keep you dry, nor warm.
3 - 5$ flip flops vs. a cushioned, balanced shoe or boot.
4 - cheap-o sunglasses that dont protect your eyes.
you get the idea......

Spend your money on yourself first; guarantee that you're gonna be safe and secure out there.

Then spend all the money you want on rods, reels, baits, etc.

Good Luck,

Kopper_Bass

I feel your pain Kop

Seriously though, do you really think that people are buying polarized sunglasses and padded shoes to "protect themselves". I don't.

Far as the orange life vest goes though....woo hoo. Those are the ****.

Also available at Walmart...

kopper_bass · Post by **kopper_bass** » Wed May 14, 2008 4:54 pm

HeyBuzzbait,

Don't forget the Walmart special!!!!
[albumimg]103[/albumimg]

50 raingear suites for the price of one.

[albumimg]104[/albumimg]

If you rip it, just throw it away and roll out another one.

HeHe

Poor kid!

Have fun!

Kopper

Dan McKenzie · Post by **Dan McKenzie** » Wed May 14, 2008 5:30 pm

in my opinion for the river oakleys "shallow blue" lens is as good of any shallow water lens that I've seen. Otherwise solarbat mossback is good. Comfortwise costa del mar's fit nice and I can wear them all day, maui jims too.

markscolwell · Post by **markscolwell** » Wed May 14, 2008 5:38 pm

Ditto on the oakley "shallow blue" lens.........they have an amber lens for low light too!

Darkman · Post by **Darkman** » Wed May 14, 2008 6:14 pm

Yellow or gray lens...Costas sunglasses...they fit my dome well

This reminds me...got to get new ones, mine went in the drink

get the best you can afford...you only have one set of eyes, take care of them

Hillbilly in Cali · Post by **Hillbilly in Cali** » Wed May 14, 2008 6:35 pm

I have a pair of Oakleys that my wife bought me when I lived in NC. They work ok in clear water with bright sun. I have a pair that I bought at Bass Pro Shops with brownish colored lenses that work better in low light conditions and in darker water.

For me I like glasses that come around to the corner of my eyes or farther to keep the sun out of my eyes if it is to my side. I would suggest buying cheaper glasses to start with and then trying a pair that is more expensive that some of your buddies may have.

I think Cooch said it best when he said it depends on your eyes and how the glasses are made.

texas john · Post by **texas john** » Wed May 14, 2008 7:43 pm

I just bought a pair of Smiths Thresholds, They are polorized and come with 4 interchangable lenses. White Smoke, yellow, rose and dark smoke, they are great!! I was fishing yesterday (bank fishing) and saw and tried to point out to my buddy the several large fish he could not see wearing some others kind. They were about 130 but well worth the price for what you get, also comes with a hard case that holds it all.

GREAT FISHING GLASSES