03-08-2003, 01:18 AM
[cool]Like most aspects of fishing, protective eyewear is a matter of personal choice. I have tried a bazillion different kinds of sunglasses over the years. It seems like the most expensive ones jump into the water or get sat on in the car within days of purchase. The cheaper ones last until they fall apart or get so scratched up I can't see out of them.
A few observations from experience, and from "readin' up" on the subject. One...any protection is better than none. Two, you do not need welders' glasses to totally block out the sun. Three, glass lenses hold up better, and don't scratch, but are subject to breakage. Four, polarized lenses are best for helping you look through the surface glare and see bottom structure and fish. Five: Grey lenses allow you to see things in a more "natural" light, with less color distortion. Six: Amber lenses are excellent at cutting glare on slightly overcast days, and from reflective surfaces...but they do distort natural colors more than grey.
My biggest thing in looking for sunglasses is finding frames that are comfortable and that will stay put...even when I perspire. Glasses that need to be constantly adjusted are a bother and are more likely to slip off and dive overboard while you are occupied with a fish. But, do not buy molded plastic frames that fit snugly along the side and over the bridge of your nose. If you are warm, on cool days, your glasses will keep steaming up from condensed water vapor that cannot escape around the edges.
With the new styles being toward thin and "cool", it is difficult to find a good pair of fishing glasses...unless you shop where they sell fishing or boating accessories. Your eyes need protection not just from the light that comes through the lenses, but also the indirect and direct sunlight that comes in over the top or from the sides of the glasses too. Some of my favorite fishing glasses have featured a wraparound design that either had lenses on the side, or blocked out light all together. Those are not good for driving though, because they wipe out your peripheral vision.
Another useful purchase is a "lanyard" for attaching to the ends of the frames and going around your neck. They can salvage a costly (or favorite) pair of glasses if they slip off.
Like most things in life, glasses are something that you usually get what you pay for. It is hard to justify spending half a car payment for a pair of fashionable designer sunglasses...and you don't need to in order to get good eye protection. But, below a certain point, you will be buying only a simple light filtering system, and you will probably not appreciate the full benefits you would enjoy from investing a bit more. I have always been fond of the saying "It's better to spend a little more than you wanted, than not quite enough."
[signature]
A few observations from experience, and from "readin' up" on the subject. One...any protection is better than none. Two, you do not need welders' glasses to totally block out the sun. Three, glass lenses hold up better, and don't scratch, but are subject to breakage. Four, polarized lenses are best for helping you look through the surface glare and see bottom structure and fish. Five: Grey lenses allow you to see things in a more "natural" light, with less color distortion. Six: Amber lenses are excellent at cutting glare on slightly overcast days, and from reflective surfaces...but they do distort natural colors more than grey.
My biggest thing in looking for sunglasses is finding frames that are comfortable and that will stay put...even when I perspire. Glasses that need to be constantly adjusted are a bother and are more likely to slip off and dive overboard while you are occupied with a fish. But, do not buy molded plastic frames that fit snugly along the side and over the bridge of your nose. If you are warm, on cool days, your glasses will keep steaming up from condensed water vapor that cannot escape around the edges.
With the new styles being toward thin and "cool", it is difficult to find a good pair of fishing glasses...unless you shop where they sell fishing or boating accessories. Your eyes need protection not just from the light that comes through the lenses, but also the indirect and direct sunlight that comes in over the top or from the sides of the glasses too. Some of my favorite fishing glasses have featured a wraparound design that either had lenses on the side, or blocked out light all together. Those are not good for driving though, because they wipe out your peripheral vision.
Another useful purchase is a "lanyard" for attaching to the ends of the frames and going around your neck. They can salvage a costly (or favorite) pair of glasses if they slip off.
Like most things in life, glasses are something that you usually get what you pay for. It is hard to justify spending half a car payment for a pair of fashionable designer sunglasses...and you don't need to in order to get good eye protection. But, below a certain point, you will be buying only a simple light filtering system, and you will probably not appreciate the full benefits you would enjoy from investing a bit more. I have always been fond of the saying "It's better to spend a little more than you wanted, than not quite enough."
[signature]