Do you wear eye protection while you fish ???

[Fish Chris]

Recently I recieved an e-mail with this title, and right away I thought to myself, "Ahhh geeez ! This is going to be gruesome" ! But it was one of those curiosity things, you know... I had to open it. And yes, it was absolutely hideous. So much so, that I would never post it on a family site such as this one.

I believe a short explanation should suffice;

Basically, this young guy had a large treble hook, with two hooks impaled directly into his eye, one into the inside corner, and one directly down through the top of his eyeball. Their was no text to go along with the photos, but I would think if the guy were VERY lucky, the hook might have been removed and leave him with at least a "little bit" of vision from that eye, if his eye did not have to be completely removed.

Now, I'm certainly not talking about all of this to freak anybody out, or upset their stomachs. But personally speaking, the answer is, "YES ! I do ALWAYS wear eye protection". Polarized fishing glasses to be exact. Now, I don't do much night fishing, but I remember thinking to myself, during a few night trips, "Since I can't see much of anything, anyway, if I go to set the hook, or am in the process of fighting a fish, I'm going to tell myself that that hook is ready to fly back at me, at any second, and just look off completely in the other direction" !

If you night fish a lot, it would probably even be smart to get a pair of those cheap, funky looking safety glasses. Heck, nobodies going to see you anyway.... Just remember to take them off for photos :-)

Anyway, from time to time, we see photos of forum members here, with a hook through the finger, hand, etc. I think we can be sure they didn't intend on this happening. Therefore, that hook could have ended up in somebodies eye, just as easily !

Think ahead ! Be safe out there !

Peace,

Fish

[MALTESE FALCON]

I WEAR GLASSES SO I ALWAYS HAVE SOME PROTECTION. I ALSO WEAR FIT-OVERS ON BRIGHT SUNNY DAYS. BUT BEFORE I NEEDED GLASSES I ALWAYS WORE SOME TYPE OF EYE PROTECTION ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. BECAUSE ONE NIGHT MY SONS AND I WERE FISHING AT NIGHT AND ON THE WAY HOME A BUG WENT IN MY EYE AM 40 MPH. AFTER THAT INCIDENT I ALWAYS HAD SUN GLASSES AND A PAIR OF GOGGLES IN THE BOAT.

[Raul]

Since I 'm as blind as a bat I 've been wearing prescription glasses since I was at kindergarden, some years ago while fishing with a friend of mine and his 8 year old son we had a little "accident", my friend 's son made an underarm cast, the lure flew until the line in his spincaster tangled this caused the lure to stop suddelny and form an arch straight towards me, wihout any time to dodge it the lure smashed on my face, if it weren 't for my glasses the hook would have hooked me in the eyeball instead of hooking me in the eyebrow and cheek, lesson learned, now I have a pair of extra large glasses exclusevely for fishing.

This can happen to you:

Hedious, gruesome, gross.......yep it is, but one image tells more than a thousand words.

[FlyRod]

I wear prescription glasses as it is, but they are large highrise aviator type so that the top of the frame does not interfere with my line-of-sight when shotgunning. The lenses are of an impact resistant material.

I use clip-on Polaroid sunglasses as well.

Even if I didn't need corrective lenses, I'd assure that I wore eye protection at ALL times, night or day, when fishing, shooting, or when engaged in ANY activity that might present a hazard.

To those who don't require prescription lenses I say: PLEASE, purchase some non-prescription NON-TINTED glasses to wear at all such times so well as some good polarized and UV protectant sunglasses with LARGE-area lenses.

More than once, I've been smacked in the face by a careless caster, a lure I've yanked free or that has pulled free from a fish's mouth. Had I not been wearing glasses (and NOT real glass...EVER!) I'd have lost an eye.

Several times, while zipping down the lake at Mach-whatever, I've been hit by bugs, hailstones, and even huge raindrops that would have done serious damage to my eyes had I not been wearing protective eye-wear.

I've also been popped by birdshot during dove or quail hunts. Somewhere, I still have a pair of shooting glasses with lenses scarred from a close call. (I keep them as a reminder.

Lastly, wear a strap to keep your glasses from blowing off at high speeds or when leaning over the side of the boat. There's little worse than bring unable to see or being blinded by glare when trying to hunt, fish, or just drive a boat or wheeled vehicle. This is especially critical if you wear corrective lenses.

Imagine being on the lake or in a stump-filled river channel, maybe in the dark, and that your glasses are now at the bottom. You've now gone from 20/20 to bat-blind...what WILL you do? If you're alone, or your crew consists of someone who can't drive the boat, you're screwed.

Even if you somehow make it back to the ramp safely, can you trailer up and drive home without risking your life or someone else's?

Did I mention kill-switches and PFDs?

You may not get a second chance, so heed the warnings now.

FlyRod

The guy who wears a belt AND suspenders.

[BucketmouthAngler13]

I just wear $10 sun glasses from CVS.... they seem to work fine.

[Gorgebassman]

I wear eye protection while fishing all the time polarized sunglasses. I have found yet another good reason to do it now as well. Sun can hurt your eyes just like it can hurt your skin the prolonged exposure to UV rays is not good for them especially reflecting off the water fo 8 to 10 hrs a day.

[Captain Cali]

During the day yes...at night no. Not yet at least. And I own a few pairs of glasses for shooting which would work perfect. One pair is going in the tackle bag right now! I don't know why I didn't think of that before.

Thanks for the tip Fish Chris.

And thanks for scaring me straight Raul! Those pics are gruesome. Got my eyes all watered up.

[basser89]

Thinkin back to the large musky treble hook I had buried in two of my fingers, Chris' post gave me the willies thinkin about that! But Man, when I got to Raul's post, DANG that was nasty!

During the day, I all but always wear sun glasses, but when it turns evening/dark, I'm without. Think I may have to invest in some type of eye wear for those occasions! Better safe than sorry!

[Raul]

Scaring you guys crapless was my intention. Now get some eyegear and protect you priceless eyes.

[basser89]

Mission accomplished!    

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have never seen a pic like that befoe, but have heard stories.  That's all I needed.  That pic just brings home the point.

[Rattlinrogue]

I think we all pretty much wear sunglasses during sunny days,but after seeing Raul's accident I'm probably going to think hard about some safety glasses for other times.

[Top]

I usually always wear eye protection... but now after seeing those you can bet I will ALWAYS have some on... even after dark... I have access to some clear safety glasses... I am sure my employer won't mind me using them to protect my peepers... they will fire me if I lose an eye

AL

[Captain Cali]

Here is my latest addition to the tackle box!

Yup! Smith & Wesson baby!  8-)

[bassmasta7]

Def. a good idea. I dont really like wearing sunglasses and the only time i do is doing yard work (edging especially) and fishing. I wear my polarized sunglasses everytime i go out because I am scared of something like what Raul showed would happen. Plus, they help see in the water better. I recently got my friend to wear 'em to. Everytime i get a lure stuck in a tree i pull hard and turn my head. There's two places where I really really dont want to get hooked, one is my eyes and the other i dont really have to worry about getting hooked. That has to do with a whole 'nother kind of protection.

[bow3022]

How long have you guys been fishing? I myself have been fishing for 7 years, over half my life(im 16) and i have never had a single incident where I got hurt, or any of my buddies. There was a rare time where a me or a buddy would slip in the water but thats bout it. I've heard some stories but in the 7 years i've been fishing i've never worn eye protection, never will. Its just how i feel bout it.

[GeneinTX]

quote] How long have you guys been fishing? I myself have been fishing for 7 years, over half my life(im 16) and i have never had a single incident where I got hurt, or any of my buddies.

[jomatty]

this is something i never really thought about.  i wear pol. sunglasses whenever feasible but at night or on rainy muggy days i often find it too much trouble.  not anymore.  more important than my safety i am very mad at myself for not thinking about this for my son. he is only 3 years old and if anyone of you fish with very young kids you know that no matter how well they listen they just cant help themselves from swinging things around sometimes and those spincast reels will malfunction at any time (just ask raul).  he will be wearing his safety glasses that he already has next time we go fishing.

thx chris for starting this thread

[Brian_Reeves]

After seeing that pic, it makes me want to get some clear lenses for nighttime when I'm not wearing my polarized :-?

[Norm]

How long have you guys been fishing? I myself have been fishing for 7 years, over half my life(im 16) and i have never had a single incident where I got hurt, or any of my buddies. There was a rare time where a me or a buddy would slip in the water but thats bout it. I've heard some stories but in the 7 years i've been fishing i've never worn eye protection, never will. Its just how i feel bout it.

I don't mean this the wrong way, but you're young.  Wait a few years and you'll probably have a change of heart.

[dink]

Rain or shine, the shades are on.  At night, the yellow lenses get the call.  I am one of those guys who can't buy enough sunglasses so in order to justify my purchases, I must wear shades all the time.  True, they will protect your peepers from objects flying through the air at high velocities.  But, many people do not know just how much the sun's rays can contribute to macular degeneration later in life.  I for one would like to keep my "good eyesight" and not struggle to thread a bullet weight years from now.

[Fish Chris]

I concur ! I've only had a cheap set of those, just to try them.... and they were great ! They were polarized, and so they removed ALL of the glare, but yet did not remove any of the brightness. Great for early morning, late evening, or cloudy days sight fishing. I guess one could use them at night too.

In any case, I need to get a pair of high quality yellow lens glasses now....

Peace,

Fish

[ejtaylor822]

Excellent post Fish Chris.  Nice work by yourself and Raul.

I typically wear my "working" OSHA glasses that I use when I mow or work outside.  But, as someone else mentioned, I typically take them off at night/dusk.  I have some clear ones that I use as well for outside.  Need to keep them handy for low light fishing - those pictures make me think a lot!  Another place to get good glasses are the local bicycle shops.  I am not talking about the $100 Bollee's but you can usually find some pretty cheap knock off's for around $20.  That's where my clear glasses come from.

Also, to help if an accident should occur (and to make catch and release easier) I debarb all my hooks - even the treble hooks.  Hooked myself good last summer in the thumb with a fly.  Lack of a barb made it very easy to get out and save a trip to the Dr.

Eddie

[Matt Fly]

Only my polarized shades.    Which is most of the time on the water.

[SHORTY]

BOW 3022. Don't mean to be offensive. No! Yes I do!!! YOUTH DOESN'T JUSTIFY STUPIDITY

OR ARROGANCE !!!!!!