Do Polarized Sunglasses Really Help With Spotting Fish?

Polarized sunglasses are a must for fishing on lakes, rivers, and ponds, often referred to as freshwater but also work well in saltwater applications. They give the angler a clear visualization of the landscape in front of them and fish lurking in shallow water.

Polarized fishing sunglasses are designed to reduce glare from the water’s surface. They work by blocking out intense horizontal glare while allowing vertical light waves through. This results in increased clarity and reduced eye fatigue.  Glare is to vision as static is to hearing.

Polarized sunglasses can help you see fish by reducing the glare on the water's surface. This allows you to see below the water's surface and spot fish in shallow water.

While polarized sunglasses can be a great tool for anglers, there is not one tint that is designed for every on the water condition. Darkly tinted polarized lenses can make it more difficult to see in low light conditions and that is why Solar Bat Sunglasses offers lighter tinted polarized sunglasses for those lower light applications.

How Polarized Lenses Work 

Polarized lenses work by filtering out reflective glare from horizontal surfaces like water, snow, and pavement. When fishing this allows you to see into the water with greater clarity, making it easier to spot fish. Polarized sunglasses can be a great help when fishing from a boat, as they eliminate the glare off the water's surface making you better see underwater hazards and be a safer boater. They can also be useful for driving, as they reduce glare from the road and other vehicles.

There are two main types of polarized lenses: those with a polarized film laminated inside two layers of lens material and those with the polarized film adhered to the front surface of the lens.  The most durable polarized lenses are those with the film laminated inside two layers of lens material.

Avoid Glare with Polarized Sunglasses When Fishing

Most anglers have experienced the frustration of trying to see fish in the water only to be thwarted by the sun’s reflection. This is where polarized fishing sunglasses can help. Polarized lenses reduce glare from the water’s surface, making it easier to see below the surface.

Polarized fishing sunglasses are available in various lens tints, each with its own benefits. For example, brown or amber lenses increase contrast. Grey lenses provide the most light filtration making them the darkest tint and a great choice for the brightest of light conditions.  Solar Bat’s proprietary Mossback green will highlight green making fish with green coloration and underwater weeds more visible.  A side benefit of Mossback green is that the tint will bleach brown making muddy water look less muddy.  Solar Bat also offers a proprietary HiConYellow lens that is the tint of choice in low light and also when fishing tannic water.

Polarized lenses are available in various materials, including glass, plastic, and polycarbonate. Glass lenses are the most scratch-resistant, heaviest, and least impact resistant. Plastic lenses are lighter than glass but can scratch more easily. Polycarbonate lenses are the lightest in weight and the most impact resistant of all the materials.  Scratch resistant coatings can be applied to both plastic and polycarbonate lenses.

When choosing polarized sunglasses for fishing, be sure to select a pair that fits well and provides 100% UV protection. You’ll also want to consider the type of fishing you’ll be doing – for example consider water clarity, light conditions, and species sought.  Solar Bat Sunglasses has a tint for all applications.

Pros of Polarized Performance Sunglasses

If you are an avid fisherman, you know that seeing fish is key to a successful day out on the water. Fishermen know that polarized performance sunglasses help them see fish better. Here are some of the pros of polarized performance sunglasses:

1. Increased Visual Clarity: Polarized sunglasses reduce glare and allow for greater visual clarity. This is especially helpful when trying to spot fish or structure in shallow water.

2. Enhanced Color Contrast: Polarized lenses tints can be designed to enhance color contrast, which can be helpful when trying to spot specific types of fish.

3. Reduced Eye Fatigue: Glare from the sun can cause eye fatigue, but polarization helps reduce this type of fatigue.  Also by blocking UV rays, eye fatigue is greatly reduced.

4. Greater Comfort: Because polarized performance sunglasses reduce glare and eye fatigue, they can be more comfortable to wear for longer periods.

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