Sunglass for bass fishing

[Kal-Kevin]

I know here goes that new guy asking more dumb questions, it is true but I can not go fishing so why not talk of all those thing we all think of.

In the past  I have always used what ever sunglasses I had on hand for fishing and never gave it much thought. Well this year I think I might buy a special pair just for fishing. I know everyone says buy this brand or that but never say why they get them unless it is a sponsor deal. So if you feel like helping out a old bass fisherman:
     what Brand do you use
     why do you use them
     what color lens would you pick
          & if you could only pick one color
     Are they worth what you paid
     what kind of price would you pay


Thanks I will enjoy reading what you all say on this
Kal

[Mike S.]

I have a pair of Oakley Strait Jackets for fishing. They are the ones that KVD wears (not why I bought them).  I bought them with the shallow blue lenses. I've been wearing them for 4 years now. They fit my face awesome. They sit tight to my eyes so there isn't much outside light that gets through around the frames. They are very light, and very comfortable. The only drawba k to them is that the lenses I have aren't worth a crap on a cloudy day. I think I paid $180 for them. I've seen them on ebay in that same price range. If you buy Oakleys, make sure you follow their cleaning instructions 100%.  I also bought an aluminum, pill shaped Oakley vault to keep them in. If they aren't on my face, they are in the vault.

Just so you know, there are no dumb questions. If you are looking for an answer, somebody has it. Nobody knows everything. I promise nobody will pick on you, at least to your face, for asking a question. Lol!!  You have picked an awesome site to be a part of, and along with it are a ton of good, knowledgeable people.

[Frank]

one color only then amber or green.  yellow for low light.
Costas are my second choice and easiest to find for me.  first choice are Kaenon or Keanon, not sure of spelling.  I have a hard time finding them cheap though.  About twice a year I do.  I spend under 100 but often that means ebay. 

[Kal-Kevin]

Thanks Mike and Frank I will look into both of them, I was told of cocoons too just getting the facts before I buy any.

[gr@ssmonkey]

take a look at solar bats they have a wide range of styles and pricing,Gary nesty is the creator of Solar Bats and an eye doctor....he also bass fish's tournaments,his lenses are matched by none when it comes to eye protection,both from the sun and flying objects(your friends lure)

his lens tint called mossback and mossback gradient are his own patented tints and are specifically designed for sight fishing

the frames are almost indestructible on all the models,yet bendable and shapeable and if your lookin for a pair of glasses to keep for a while Gary's warranty is unbeatable in the industry,take a look at it no ?'s  asked

I have been wearing Solar Bats since 1998, and am a solar bat baby for life...... solar bat also sponsors most tournaments u fish here in Mich, there based in Indiana.

http://www.solarbat.com///

[fiker]

I have to wear prescription glasses but some of what I've learned applies. 

The color lens I have is a type of dark amber.  There is no all purpose color for all occasions, but this comes the closest for me.   My glasses are the wrap around bubble type so no side light gets in behind them.  They also make a great wind screen and eye protector. 

I also have blended lenses.  The bifocal part is built in so that I can see to tie knots and such.

One very important part of all sunglasses though is that they are polarized.  With out it, one can't see underwater very well at all. 

Eye protection should never be over looked.  UV rays can hasten the aging process of eyes so wearing sunglasses is just as important, if not more so, than sun screen.

[BIGSHOW]

I have had friends with $300 pairs of glasses and friends with $5 pairs of glasses. I've tried them both and others. I have just been buying the $20 pair of polarized sunglasses at gander mtn. or local stores. They work just as good for seeing the fish and keeping the glare off. They may scratch a little easier but if I lose them i'm not out much. I just keep an extra pair on hand. Polarized is the key

[Manxfishing]

I myself like Hobie
There decent, Lifetime Warr. I've used the warr. once and they replaced them with a upgraded pair with no hassle. But I loose more then a break. Plus there fairly cheap on E-bay
And they do have a RX service if you need it

http://www.hobiepolarized.com/

More then the brand
You need polarized and buy the copper or amber if you what to see into the water
The gray lens are great for bright sun or driving.

It's night and day between the gray lens and a amber or copper lens for seeing into the water

I pay 40-60 for them on E-bay

[Redbone]

I prefer the berkleys at Walmart.$15   

[Lightningboy]

Welcome, and there ain't no dumb questions.  Unless you're asking Waterfoul about backreeling.   

A pair of decent polarized sunglasses for fishing is a must.  They eliminate glare when fishing or driving, making it easier to see overall.  The right color can enhance your ability to see into the water.  They also are safety gear in two ways: First, they protect your eyes from flying objects.  Second, they reduce your chances of cataracts over time, as UV rays reflected off the water greatly speeds that process.

I wear glasses, and for many years used clip on's.  Can't say they really helped much.  I bit the bullet one year, and got a set of script Costas.  I was blown away by the difference in clarity.  My eyes felt "relaxed" by wearing them.  I got the vermillion lenses; they were a great compromise between a color that saw well into the water & all around use.  Unfortunately one night they went for a swim over the side.  Next pair will be vermillion Costas again.

Wearing Wiley-x right now.  Good glasses, can't really complain about anything, but just not the same made for me feeling as the Costas.

I'm not gonna tell you that you need expensive glasses to get good ones, but you do need to be a careful shopper.  Polarized lenses are made by sandwiching a polarizing film between layers of hard lens.  How carefuly they perform this process can make them easy on your eyes, or tired at the end of the day.

One test I have been told by many eyewear experts when it comes to low priced glasses is to put your thumb on the middle of the outside of the lens, and gently press in on the lens.  If it flexes at all, put them back, they're made of cheap materials that will have multiple imperfection in the lens.

I've heard lots of good things about Oakleys, Solar bats, Maui Jims, and of course Costas.  Don't buy into advertising hype though.  I once saw an Oakley add that listed one of the frame materials as "Unobtanium".  That term is an old laboratory joke for an element that has properties that don't exist.   

[Kal-Kevin]

I'm like Fiker and need the wrap around type, can not afford the cost of buying a pair that is specially  made for me.

I want to thank everyone that has posted already it is great to see so many care to speak up.

[Lightningboy]

If nothing else, go to Cabelas or Bass Pro, and have a session of trying on lots of different kinds & Prices.  When I was looking for my Costas, I went to Cabeleas eyewear counter, and told the girl at the counter that I was window shopping for glasses, and wanted to try out a few.  They had no problem with it.

Try the cheap ones, and try the expensive ones behind the counter.  Look around & compare how they feel on your face, and how things look through them.  Bring someone you trust to tell you if you look like a geek in them or not.   

At the very least you'll figure out what you like/don't like in sunglasses.

[Kal-Kevin]

If nothing else, go to Cabelas or Bass Pro, and have a session of trying on lots of different kinds & Prices. 

Sound like the best way to go now that you all gave me a few ideas on colors to look at

Thanks

[customfishn]

I-Gogs.   You can get them at Gander mountain and the best thing about them is they are inexpensive!!  I  wear them because for the price of 1 pair of solar bats or oakleys you can get every color of lens for every occasion.  And if your like me you'll leave them up on your head and take off and they are gone for good.  But they are great glasses and I bet a lot of guys are wearing them and dont even know it.

[Lightningboy]

There's lots of glasses out there, and I'll never give anybody a hard time about how much they spend for them.

A really good pair of glasses is a commitment.  You need to be religious about taking good care of them.  For some guys, that's not their style.  That's OK.  Since I require prescription glasses, I'm just used to paying more for a pair of glasses than the average person.

If I didn't wear script, I'd probably have a bunch of sunglasses; some good quality, and some cheap ones just for fun.

No matter what you buy, take good care of them.  Get a hard case to protect them.  Looking past a scratch will wear your eyes out by the end of a day. 

Clean them with a microfiber towel.  Get a decent one, and only use it for lenses.  Don't ever use window cleaner, it can remove many antireflective coatings.  If a little huff of breath to fog the lenses isn't enough to clean them, use the microfiber with a dab of dish soap & lots of water, then dry them with another microfiber.

Take care of your eyes, as you can't replace them.  Wear CR-39 lenses, not glass; they won't protect you from impact.  Get a pair of keepers that are comfortable.

I wish I had Shaw Grigsby eyes...

[BIGSHOW]

You can always window shop in the store ,get the model # and go do a search online and get a good price. E-bay,amazon,tons of others