Polarized Sunglasses

[eyepatrol]

Can anyone recommend a good, affordable pair of polarized sunglasses and where I could get them? Gander Mt. would be preferred since there's one only 30 minutes away from me, but any store or outfitter will do.

Thanks.

[musky hunter]

I like the wrap around kind. Some fit over prescription glasses, which I have. I think mine have the "In-Fisherman" label on them and were about $12, and they are good. They vary in price. Not all are good for spotting fish in water. If at all possible, try to look at glare from puddles, car windshields, etc. to judge if the glasses you are buying really do make a difference. I've had one or two pair of polarizing sunglasses. One pair I could clearly see the salmon in the Lester River, the other pair, the fish were invisible.

[Corey Bechtold]

Wal-Mart carries some polarized glasses as well. I bought a pair that work great and they were under $10.00. Maybe this can save you some money on the glasses and gas getting to the store .

Good Luck,

Corey Bechtold

[garytheguide]

...just to say...I just got new glasses and they charged me a nominal fee for a pair of polarized...pretty good deal if you need prescription...and can probably get it anywhere

[Captain B.R.K]

basscatcher- Do some research in buying a decent pair of polarized glasses. Really think about companies such as Orvis (Predator or Tailwater), Redington---companies with an emphasis on fly-fishing. Granted polarized glasses have many uses in a lot of different worlds of fishing- but don't over look companies like that.

I have bought a few pairs from both companies and would highly recommend them. WHY?

The quality of the lens (acetate lenses)you buy from them are great. They aren't glass, but whatever is used pretty much scratch resistant. Also the frames from which they are made are excellent as well. They won't cost you an arm and a leg (Maui Jim's, Oakley, etc.). BUT if you are willing to spend the money (Maui Jim's are sweet glasses).

From what I've seen of the models at Wal-mart or Cheepo's at GM, these are much better and cost is not a huge factor. I think I paid like $40-50 for mine.

Take a look at them www dot orvis dot com or www dot redington dot com

I love mine!

If anything call the Fly Angler (connected to Thorne Bros) or any metro fly shop, they'll give you the info. you'll need to buy a quality pair of polarized.

Good Luck.

[eyepatrol]

Thanks for the replies fellas. I'm going to be looking into a pair over the next week and hopefully will find some that have good penetration (light penetration!).

[LocalGuide]

I also went with the cheapos for a bit. Then like 1/2 way though the year or at the end of the year they became dump. So last year I told myself that I was going to buy a good pair of glasses.

I ended up choosing Native glasses. They are pretty sweet and cost me about $120. For one they don't even use a glass lens, but instead they use a highly scratch resistant plastic lens. And yes I found out that they are highly scratch resistant. Either having them fall off my head onto cement or just them hitting the ground. I don't have a scratch on them yet. I'm happy needless to say and they even came with a lifetime warranty on the lens if they get scratched. So if you wreck them your not out $100+. That and they came with one set of polarized and 3 other colors of lens (Amber, Yellow, Clear).

Of course I hear the Maui Jims are sweet too, but I didn't really need them and I am satisfied with what I got.

Just my .02

[nytelyter]

i can vouch for the maui jims i have just bought my second pair and the look into the water is real fine but you are right on the cost 1st pair was $330 and this pair was $239 but i still have the first pair that i bought 6 yrs ago but they did look 6yrs old too hehehe should i say WELL WORN

but i willl buy another pair when needed the way i figger it

cost/time owned turns out pretty cheap for the quality

[MRWALLEYE2005]

Anyone know where I can get a pair of Ocean Waves or Oakleys for cheap?

[ccarlson]

I used to buy the cheap polarized ones and found on a trip of fishing in the sun all day that the guys that wore quality sunglasses were much less physically fatiqued than I was at the end of the day. They say they are uv resistant etc. but how can they be good for your eyes when the lens is a 10 cent piece of plastic. This also does not bode well for the long term health of your eyes.

So, I've since gone to a pair of polycarbonate Maui Jim's in their sport line of glasses and my eyes are much less tired. Other friends have Costa Del mars in glass lens and they are excellent too. My polycarbonate MJ's were only $140 which is half of the glass lense costs.

If you go Maui Jims you can get the grey lense, Rose or a new color that I like and most resembles the typical amber color which they call "Bronze".

Some things to think about anyway.

ccarlson

[Walleye Wegs]

I switched to Coasta Del Mars a couple years back. The ones I got run about 130. They are great glasses very light and durable.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I also have 3 pair of Costa Del Mar glasses... Love them, they fit well and have some of the best lenses in the industry. I have the Phathoms..

[Chris Haley]

I buy the Wal Mart $9.95 pairs. I have this habit of leaving glasses here and there and after my second set of Costa's, I started buying cheapos.

[CALVINIST]

Want some decent, really cheap glasses? Go to a dollar store...buy 10 pair for 10 dollars. Did you accidentially crush 'em while fishing for pig walleyes? No problemo, throw that crushed pair away and put on a new pair. I went to the dollar store in Robbinsdale and bought a couple pair; they have a nice selection of sunglasses that really fit well, and for a buck, who can complain!

[52luge]

I had pair of Roland Martin Pro-Veiws from about 1982. The lenses were in perfect shape until they were pilfered along with my tackle box. I found a new pair on HSOList for about 15 bucks. These have glass lenses and will last forever although they don't look as cool as the newer wrap arounds. I have a pair of the newer Al Lindner glasses they sell at Gander for around 12 bucks and they are nice but after 1 month the got pretty scratched up.

[MRWALLEYE2005]

Those Costa Del Mars Wave Killer, Turbine and fathom look good. How well can they see fish threw water? Would the blue be better or green lens?

[Deitz Dittrich]

As far as seeing fish in the water it has a lot to do with the person too.. lense color is effected by water color and light... For all around I like the Vermillion lense... or Grey.

[TylerFlom]

anyone ever hear of Bill Dance edition glasses? there wrap-around, and ive had em for 3 years, not too long for some of you, but it's 1/5 of my lifetime lol!

[Walleye Wegs]

I prefer the amber lenses with my Coastas. I had trouble seeing in the water on cloudy days with my 1st pair that were gray. I loved them on sunny days but found myself switching back and forth. No matter what color you pick they are great glasses.

WW

[jkthill]

I bought Oakley Halfjackets and they work awesome. They are very durable and the lenses can be replaced, extra lenses are about $35 or so and are easey to switch out. They also have a huge selection of lenses. I've had the cheapies and you know the old saying "you get what you pay for"

[Big Julie]

I bought a pair of Cocoons at the bait store and love them.

20 bucks.

[Hockey Guy]

I have to say that I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that the quality of lenses makes a huge difference. I have experimented a number of times with different glasses, but this last one sold me. Last year at dusk, a friend and I went into a shallow bay up on Kabatogama. He was wearing a pair of Al Linder Angling Edge glasses from Gander ($12) and I was wearing some $69 glasses I bought at Eddie Bauer (both polarized). I could see rocks and fish on the bottom clear as day and he couldn't see anything but water. I was casting to the fish and catching them while he was blindly casting.

Here is the weird part... we found that your eyes take a minute or two to adjust when you put them on. After getting tired of listen to my friend whine, I gave him my glasses and he still couldn't see the bottom. After a couple minutes he was amazed at what he could see. The same thing happened to me when I finally got them back from him.