Polarised Sunglasses
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Saltwater Flyflingers
Forum Description: A forum for saltwater fly fishing enthusiasts
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=121636
Printed Date: 27 Jan 2026 at 9:38pm
Topic: Polarised Sunglasses
Posted By: Mad Spearo
Subject: Polarised Sunglasses
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2016 at 11:50am
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*This question has also been posted in Freshwater Fission* Hi all, looking for some advice re: sunnies. I have had lots of cheap ~$40 pairs before and they do a reasonable job. Inevitably I lose them or they end up a bit worse for wear.
Obviously the really expensive ones ie ~$300+ are going to be scratch-resistant, have good frames etc so will be good value for money in that respect. My question is this: Will I see more fish or see them better with expensive lenses v cheapies? Is there really a difference is the glare reduction etc? *Do you find that there is a difference with SWFF v Freshwater?* Thanks! |
Replies:
Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2016 at 12:41pm
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Most of the price difference.. besides marketing name BS, is in the quality of the frames... same goes for prescription specs. In over 30 yrs gone thru 2 sets of med quality well fitting polariods 1st was around the $30 last century.. took care of them, never laid down on the lens etc.. next picked up in Aussie.. forgot to take the former. They got obsoleted about 4 yrs ago when went to prescription polarised lens... Still have both old sets put away. I dont like dark tints.. light tints, blue brown...light enough one forgets still have them on at dusk or walk into a dim room... "scratch resistant" Thats says it all... either way look after them... To keep clean, protect, make easy to clean I use meguires quick detailer car polish... also us on boat clears/ windows, kitchen stainless stove, mirrors windows...and the cars. edit: and my dive mask |
Posted By: Snappa Geoff
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2016 at 8:33pm
| Hi Mad Spearo, I use to buy the mid range Shimano, Dirty dogs etc polarised Glasses up to say around $100. Firstly i do alot of whitebaiting with whiteboards. Its were you spot them going over and scoop e'm up! So the better the Glasses the more whitebait you see. Did alright i thought until a neighbour lent me his glass lense polarises from Aus called Spotters. $300 odd but difference amazing! the bait don't have a chance, see a metre into water no worries in clear water. So on a recent trip to Canada had a look around in a couple of enormous Fishing Shops called Bass Pro for me own Quality Polarises. Straight away the Salesmen put me on to Smith amber glass lenses. The Best out of America, with most of the Sales going to Salmon fisho's for Spotting them. Been using them couple weeks now, Brilliant the fish or whitebait appear white in the water clear as. Can actually see the shoals of bait coming metres before they go over the board. They were $250 NZ with Lifetime Warranty. Cheers.... |
Posted By: Davo
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2016 at 9:36pm
| spotters or action optics are my pick i have had photochromatic copper versions of both and they are heaps better on trout thsn the cheaper shimmy ones (but i wear the cheap shimmys out at sea as the conditions are a bit more rugged on em) |
Posted By: Starnsy
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2016 at 11:25pm
Smith Optics  ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Snappa Geoff
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2016 at 4:07am
 How many of us have had sunnies sitting on ya cap when not required, you forget about them then big fish hits you jump up strike and over go the Specs! Lost a few like that.......
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Starnsy wrote:Posted By: Starnsy
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2016 at 9:37am
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I wear them everywhere. Just have to make sure you have eyewear retainers if you're around water! ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2016 at 9:50am
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sunnies sitting on ya cap when not required, you forget about them then
big fish hits you jump up strike and over go the Specs! Lost a few like
that....... Why do you have "when not required" ? Are they dark.. to dark for shaded places? Mine even my prescription progressive pollies now, are still light enough to look back and see my eyes... Pre the prescription, I was able to go ing the sun, drive, go inside and even still drive at dusk so never had to take them off, to drop over board, or leave behind . Hence why still have them after several decades. No round the neck ropes, clips or anything |
Posted By: Mad Spearo
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2016 at 3:56pm
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Thanks for the advice! What do you think of these? http://www.rodandreel.co.nz/product/smith-discord---tortoise-polar-brwn/ddppbrmt.aspx
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Posted By: Troutzilla
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2016 at 4:11pm
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Smiths brown polarised lense is my favourite all rounder. Great for salt and fresh. ------------- It aint no use if it aint chartreuse! |
Posted By: Mad Spearo
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2016 at 6:33pm
| Sweet, thanks |
Posted By: Snappa Geoff
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2016 at 8:27pm
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Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 17 Oct 2016 at 7:50am
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Im wearing prescription ... I need to even re bait well, not just tie a knot... I have a GOOD hat that keeps my face and shoulders dry and also ears etc protected from the sun.. not a cap... And as mentioned above use a good polish/ cleaner... which means a quick wipe sorts if get salt spray... which is my main issue. But a good brimmed hat... like cultures around the world for 1000s of yrs have worn... till the modern western world in their marketing / fashion propaganda BS convinced us it better to BUY a cap with their logo on to further advertise their products for free... and rot the sides of our faces, back f our neck and ears off in the sun. Ask yourself why does a practical stock man wear a stockmans hat even in this modern day...sun visor, rain hat and sun protection... yet town city ppl follow fashion rather than practical use? PS and keeps one very warm and dry in winter to  Also note no gin band on the hat, or glasses.Never lost a hat or glasses .. ever in over 40 yrs. Thats my 3rd hat since around 1980. And selecting a hat that sucks back onto the head is just one of those old school skills that has been lost... like put an edge on and shaving with a cut throat razor... or select the right steel, right angle for the end use.. and how to sharpen that knife. |
Posted By: TOSF
Date Posted: 17 Oct 2016 at 8:05am
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SMITH sunglasses with out a doubt Having a good pair of sunnies when fishing is important. The new Chomapop lenses are insanly clear, we use blue for offshore work and the brown lenses would be great in freeh. When you work out what an expensive pair really cost its not that much when you break it down to the hours you wear them, the protection the give your eyes and how they will improove your fishing. ------------- http://www.facebook.com/TonyOrtonSportFishingOffshoreAdventures www.offshoreadventures.net http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Fraser Hocks
Date Posted: 17 Oct 2016 at 5:14pm
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Iv used cheapies in the past and sure they work, but in comparison to a ground glass lens such that Spotters, Tonic and Smith do, its like that old solid fiberglass rod by comparison to the latest high end rod from Scott or Sage. That's the level of difference. Personally for the freshwater I like the Spotters yellow lenses. Very little light reduction which means more information reaching the eye. Anyone that has fished with me will tell you that I spot the fish well before most. Sure thats not all down to the glasses but there is a component of it which is. For the salt id be looking more towards the brown colour lens. Sure glass is heaver on your nose bridge but im prepared to put up with that for the quality of image and the scratch resistance they offer. Get saltwater on plastic lenses and wipe them clean, and they will be toast very quickly. All my fishing glasses iv drilled a very small 1.5mm hole in the end of the arms and threaded through a short length of Gudebrod braided mono. Feed the end back up through the original piece on each end and a dab of superglue later and you have a permanent sunglass cord. So light that it never gets in the way, but ensures that you can never drop your glasses. Oh a tip that a mate showed me is that he keeps a small spray bottle of fresh water with a touch of metho on his boat. A quick spray in the lens before rubbing with a cleaning cloth and there back to perfect vision. Those Smiths look good, but personally id spend the extra to get the glass lens versions. If you look after glass it will last a very long time. Plastic lenses however?
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Posted By: Snappa Geoff
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2016 at 5:45am
| Some good info there FH. Was after another pair of Smiths for a friend to buy after i lent him mine for Whitebaiting. Avaliable in Rod and Reel-Newmarket and Totally Fly. Thanks Tony for Info on Shops...... |
Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2016 at 9:21am
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There hast to be something about the glass/ non plastic type dug out my old poloroids and although cheap ( but not bottom end back in their day), they are glass. And not 'brand' With light brownish tints.. choosen not because best colour for water, but just what I prefer |
Posted By: Fraser Hocks
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2016 at 10:46am
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No sweat bro, glad to help. Yea its interesting about glass. Iv got a fishing mate, who's wife is an optometrist. She said that there are now there are plastic lenses that when tested are create less optical distortion ie.. better clarity than glass, yet even she admits that its nicer to look through glass lenses.  |
Posted By: kaimaikid
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2016 at 7:58pm
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I wear prescription polarized glasses - Nike frames with Ziess lenses - sadly went the wrong colour and find spotting fish on the flats very hard to do unless they are almost bumping into me - dark grey lens I hear Smiths do prescription ones but aren't sending any to NZ due to being too busy which is a shame as I really need a good pair for the flats.
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Posted By: kaimaikid
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2016 at 8:00pm
| Oh by the way - best thing to clean glasses is running them under warm to hottish water to remove any dirt grit salt ect then dry them - saves on the micro scratches |
Posted By: beno101
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2016 at 8:17pm
| Smiths optics with chroma pop lenses. Amazing on and off the water. Rod and reel Newmarket has a good range. |
Posted By: Fraser Hocks
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2016 at 10:07am
Must try the chromapop lenses. Heard good reviews and iv always liked Smith Optics. Some of the latest range included bifocal magnification, however im not sure if that's available in glass lenses? Great for us old buggers that suffer from presbyopia. 
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Posted By: Snuffit.
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2016 at 11:36am
Eat more roughage, Fraser.  ------------- You cant eat my toast fish |
Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2016 at 4:24pm
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chromapop lenses Those the ones that change light to dark? I enquired about those when got my prescription, cant get them in polarised.. dont know about glass thu Eat more roughage, Fraser. Wasnt it carrots?.. The famous British deception to convince the Germans thats how their pilots can see at night ( they had just got radar).. Times so the Germans dug up their crops/ food supplies creating shortages |
Posted By: jonjazz
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2025 at 1:21pm
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Hey, good question – this comes up a lot. Honestly, if you're mainly after cutting glare and spotting fish more easily, the biggest thing to look for is polarised lenses. Doesn’t matter if it’s saltwater or freshwater – polarised sunnies make a massive difference either way. They cut through that surface glare so you can actually see what’s going on under the water. Now, yeah, the top-end $300+ pairs will often have extra bells and whistles – better scratch resistance, tougher frames, slightly clearer optics, that sort of thing. But in terms of just seeing fish better, even affordable polarised sunnies can do a solid job. If you’re in NZ, check out https://ipop.co.nz/" rel="nofollow - iPOP in Nelson – they do decent polarised sunglasses around the $30 mark. For that price, you get proper glare-cutting lenses without worrying too much if they get scratched or go for a swim. Handy if you tend to lose them like most of us do. So nah, you don’t have to drop heaps to get good glare reduction. It’s more about getting the right lens type (polarised), not necessarily the most expensive pair on the shelf. |
