Do those Polar sunglasses really let you see under water?

[Jaderose]

I wouldn't go out on the water without polarized sun glasses.  For the obvious protection but also for clarity and my little lake I fish is so full of stumps under the surface that I'd spend all day pinballing off them if I didn't wear my shades.  Forgetting my sunglasses is a deal breaker for me on the water

 

[bulldog1935]

Wearing the correct UV-blocking sunglasses also prevents cataracts over your lifetime in the sun - I hope this thing is on.    

"I never wear sunglasses" is a really bad answer on this thread.  

 

My freshwater glasses are Smiths copper, very sharp resolution even in low light.  

Salt glasses are Costas, dark gray - something else very nice about Costas, salt even from power boat spray doesn't stick to them - amazing surface coatings.  

My driving glasses (non-polarized) are brown Serengeti.  

My bicycling glasses (non-polarized) are Smiths with interchangeable lenses from clear to dark green, and these double for shooting glasses with amber shatterproof lenses.  

 

[Dens228]

Can anyone point me to a good pair of polarized with the cheater lens built in?

[bulldog1935]

with the exception of my favorite discontinued Serengeti drivers, which I hunt down on ebay to buy nice used ones, all my quality glasses have come from closeouts - mostly sierratradingpost.  I'm still using the Costas that I paid $35 a couple of decades ago.  

 

[rodney126]

12 hours ago, Fred Allen said:

Thanks everyone. Looks like they are not what I thought they were. I never used sun glasses. Anyone know of a good pair that can fit over my regular glasses that is not too much money? I have an eye doctor appointment in a couple weeks and thinking about getting the glasses that automatically turn to sun glasses by themselves. Are they polarized too?

I bought a pair of costa del mar green mirror in July 2020 and not only use them for fishing but for driving as well. They take the strain off your eyes from the sun reflecting off water, I noticed a huge difference after fishing for 6-8 hour in part to full sun(the sun will kill your eyesight, I would get a good pair). Also for me they work best in part to full sun when sight fishing for spawning bass. They seem to enhance greens and browns even when the fish have a few inches of there body popping out of a weed patch.

[michaelb]

I agree with wearing sunglasses and that polarized lens help cut glare and see into the water. But they are probably not going to make a meaningful difference fishing from the bank on a river. So they may help you see a foot or two deeper or a little further out, but you aren't going to be able to see deep off the shore. The difference is mainly when looking down from above, so standing on a boat, kayak, or paddleboard.

[senile1]

An additional point to keep in mind about polarized glasses is that they work better with a hat brim shielding them so that light rays do not enter over the top between your face and your glasses.  

 

You don't have to purchase the most expensive brands to get a good pair either.  Over the years I have used Maui Jim and Oakley polarized sunglasses, which can be pretty expensive when purchased with prescription lenses.  After I retired in 2018, I no longer had eyecare insurance so I purchased a lower priced prescription pair of Denali polarized glasses after my last trip to the eye doctor.  The polarization seems to be just as good as the higher priced glasses, though they do not handle low light situations as well.  I think the trade-off was worth the money.  

[Guitarfish]

Thanks Senile for reminding me to go get a pair of Maui Jim readers replaced.  I buy them thru my wife's insurance.  Her and her insurance will be moving on soon...

[Deleted account]

19 hours ago, Fred Allen said:

Do those Polar sunglasses really let you see under water?

Yes, by eliminating or reducing the reflection on the surface. How much they help will depend on the angle of the sun, cloud cover, and the effects of wind and current on the surface. 

[thunderblack]

I remember few years back thinking....why would anyone spend $200 on polarized sunglass for fishing. I picked up a pair of Costas and I haven't fished the water without them since. You see more fish, they protected me from getting hit in the face dislodging baits, you can see critters like stingrays when SW fishing before you step on them.  My favorite piece of fishing gear by far. 

[Luke Barnes]

9 hours ago, NHBull said:

The shallow waters are a bit lighter but a second pair is a big nut to Crack ?

Yeah no kidding! I priced just lenses for the Mainlink frames I have and I might as well buy another pair! But to drop $150 on just a bit lighter sunglasses isn't in the cards. 

Also I agree with everyone that a quality pair of UV blocking sunglasses are worth their weight in gold. I have very light sensitive eyes and I cant go outside without being in discomfort without some type of sunglasses. I learned when I bought my first pair of Oakleys at the PX in Iraq, how much quality lenses make a difference. 

[Choporoz]

9 hours ago, Dens228 said:

Can anyone point me to a good pair of polarized with the cheater lens built in?

I got Onos based on @A-Jays recommendation early last year.  I have been very happy with them.

[A-Jay]

9 hours ago, Dens228 said:

Can anyone point me to a good pair of polarized with the cheater lens built in?

 

12 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I got Onos based on @A-Jays recommendation early last year.  I have been very happy with them.

Yes Sir ~ I've been very happy with mine as well.

https://onos.com/

?

A-Jay

 

[Choporoz]

Onos

 

[Deleted account]

22 hours ago, gimruis said:

See what’s out there. -Costa Del Mar

It's just Costa now, like KFC...  

[Dens228]

2 hours ago, A-Jay said:

 

Yes Sir ~ I've been very happy with mine as well.

https://onos.com/

?

A-Jay

 

Thanks, I'll take a look!

 

[GreenPig]

7 hours ago, thunderblack said:

I remember few years back thinking....why would anyone spend $200 on polarized sunglass for fishing. I picked up a pair of Costas and I haven't fished the water without them since. You see more fish, they protected me from getting hit in the face dislodging baits, you can see critters like stingrays when SW fishing before you step on them.  My favorite piece of fishing gear by far. 

$200 I wish. Go get ya a couple pair of Costas with bifocal script. I'm still try to learn to walk on this fake leg & cast with this hook.

[LxVE Bassin]

On 3/3/2021 at 8:40 PM, fishingram24 said:

Might want to look into Cocoons fit over glasses for around 60$. Never used them myself, had Costa prescription sun glasses, but many people like the Cocoons and for sure a lot cheaper. Don't know how anyone can fish without some type of sun glasses to cut the glare and protect the eyes.

     

I got 4 pair and love them. I don’t wear glasses but I have a big head so they are the most comfortable for me.

[TriStateBassin106]

On 3/3/2021 at 7:12 PM, LxVE Bassin said:

Look at them as eye protection too 

This! Could prevent any injuries in the eyes/face. Always wear them no matter the conditions

[Mbirdsley]

I don’t know about seeing under water but, I’m to the point that I would feel out of it mentally if I didn’t have even a cheap Walmart pair on. 

[Deleted account]

10 hours ago, TriStateBassin106 said:

This! Could prevent any injuries in the eyes/face. Always wear them no matter the conditions

Yup, I always wear the prescription Oakley looking ballistic ones the Army gave us when we went to Africa. I've bounced a crank off them once or twice, and some "new" fishing partners, like to play pin the lure on the guide more than I'd like. 

[Dens228]

On 3/4/2021 at 4:12 PM, Choporoz said:

I got Onos based on @A-Jays recommendation early last year.  I have been very happy with them.

Ordered a pair that arrived yesterday.   I'll be on the water tomorrow with them!

[J Francho]

I wear Maui Jim offshore.  I had a nice set of Costa 580, but they're at the bottom Erie.  FOr years after that, I bought a cheap pair of polarized glasses off the rack, and they worked fine.  The coatings don't last on cheap sunglasses, but polarization is the same.  My Maui Jim are three years old now, and I wear them every day.

[moguy1973]

Polarized sunglasses just don't help with fishing, they are also great for cutting down glare when driving too.

[Sherlock 60]

Last year I got new prescription sunglasses with all the UV and anti glare features and the blue mirror finish. My previous pair was the same but had a grey tint. The new ones have an amber tint and the difference is amazing! The amber tint gives everything more definition and I can see through the water much better.