A Tackle Shop Guide to Choosing Polarised Sunglasses for Fishing
Choosing the right fishing sunglasses can be confusing, with different lens colours, materials, and frame styles to consider. The key is to understand that unlike regular fashion sunglasses, every feature of a good pair of polarised sunglasses is designed to give you a distinct advantage on the water. This guide will break down what really matters.
A Note From Our Local Experts
"Customers often come into the shop and ask which polarised sunglasses are best for fishing, and the answer I give is usually Spotters, Mako or Tonic. These are the top three brands, in my opinion, that offer excellent clarity for fishing, have comfortable fits and are at a reasonable price. For those anglers who need a pair of sunnies on a budget, Ugly Fish are the brand I personally recommend.
I’ve tried them all personally. I started with Ugly Fish in the early days and now own various Tonic, Spotters and Mako models. My favourite is the Mako GT Green M01-G2H5; it’s just a terrific all-around model for fishing, driving and outdoors with aesthetics that go well with anything I wear.
The moment our customers come into our shop and try on a quality pair of polarised fishing sunglasses and look outside the store windows on a bright sunny day, they get it. The glare just disappears. For us, here in the Illawarra, that means being able to spot the edge of a weed bed in Lake Illawarra better or seeing a flathead lie on a sand patch. It's genuine performance apparel, and arguably one of the most important fishing gear items you can own besides your rod and reel."
- Ben Czulowski, Owner, Fishing Tackle Shop (Ocean Storm) | Experienced in Fishing Eyewear for over 20 years.
How Polarised Lenses Work for Anglers
The harsh glare you see on the water is concentrated, horizontal light. A polarised lens works like a vertical blind, blocking this intense horizontal light from reaching your eye. The result is a dramatic reduction in glare, allowing you to see more clearly into the water. This gives you a massive advantage for:
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Spotting Fish: See fish that non-polarised lenses would completely miss.
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Reading Structure: Easily identify weed beds, drop-offs, sand patches, and submerged timber.
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Reducing Eye Strain: Less squinting means more comfort and focus during a long day on the water.
Pro-Tips for Choosing the Right Sunglasses
- Lens Colour is a Technical Choice, Not a Fashion One: The colour of your lens dramatically affects what you see. Here's a simple breakdown:
- Amber, Copper & Bronze Lenses: These are your high-contrast heroes for inshore, estuary, and river fishing. They work by filtering out blue light, which makes the greens and browns of weed beds, sand patches, and fish stand out with incredible clarity.
- Grey Lenses: This is the most colour-neutral option, providing a true-to-life view while cutting glare. It's an excellent choice for reducing eye strain during long days in bright, open-water conditions.
- Blue Mirror Lenses: This is not just a colour; it's a coating applied over a grey base lens. The mirror reflects the absolute maximum amount of intense glare, making it the benchmark for offshore, bluewater angling in extreme sun.
- Green Mirror Lenses: This coating is applied over a copper or amber base lens. It provides the high-contrast benefits for inshore sight-fishing on sand flats while also reflecting intense glare, making it a premier choice for targeting bream or barra.
- Frame Fit Matters: Look for a comfortable, wrap-around frame design. This style sits closer to your face, blocking stray light from entering from the sides, which is a common problem in the harsh Australian sun.
- Use a Retainer: A simple strap or retainer is the cheapest insurance you can buy. It will prevent your expensive sunglasses from being lost to a rogue wave when rock fishing or a clumsy moment on the boat.
- Combine with a Hat: To achieve the absolute best glare reduction, wear your sunglasses with a hat that has a dark under-brim. This simple trick eliminates reflected glare coming from *above* your lenses, creating the perfect viewing window into the water.
- Proper Care for a Longer Lifespan: Always give your sunglasses a gentle rinse under fresh tap water after every trip to wash away salt crystals. Never use a t-shirt to wipe the lenses, as this will grind in salt and cause scratches. Use only the provided microfibre cloth, and only after the lenses have been rinsed.
A Word on Our Recommended Brands
You'll notice a few key brands mentioned in our expert note. Here’s a quick rundown of what makes them stand out:
- Spotters, Mako & Tonic: These are our premier Australian-designed brands. The reason they cost more is their investment in lens technology. They specialise in high-quality glass and injected polycarbonate lenses that provide the superior, distortion-free **optical clarity** we discuss in the FAQ.
- Ugly Fish: This brand offers incredible value. They provide the essential glare-cutting of a polarised lens in a tough, durable frame at a price point that makes them a perfect, "less precious" choice for everyday use or as a reliable backup pair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a real difference between cheap and expensive polarised sunglasses?
Yes, and the difference you pay for is in the quality of the lenses. A cheap pair of sunglasses often uses a simple polarised film applied to the lens, which can cause minor distortion—straight lines on the horizon might appear slightly curved, and it can feel like you're looking through a cheap window. A premium pair from a brand like Mako or Spotters uses high-quality injected polycarbonate or glass lenses where the polarising filter is an integral part of the lens itself. This results in superior **optical clarity**, meaning what you see is crisp, sharp, and completely distortion-free. This is crucial for spotting subtle details underwater and significantly reduces eye strain over a full day of fishing.
What is the best lens colour for all-round Australian fishing?
If you could only choose one, a Copper, Bronze, or Amber lens is the most versatile for the majority of Australian fishing conditions. It provides excellent contrast for spotting fish and structure in estuaries, rivers, and inshore, while still offering good glare reduction on bright days.
Should I choose glass or polycarbonate lenses for fishing?
It's a trade-off. Glass lenses provide the absolute best scratch resistance and optical clarity, making them a top choice for serious anglers. However, polycarbonate lenses are much lighter and more impact-resistant (safer), which often makes them more comfortable to wear for a full day on the water.
What are my options if I wear prescription glasses?
This is a very common question, and you have several great options. Some brands offer specific models with a built-in **bifocal** reader lens at the bottom, which is perfect for anglers who need help with close-up tasks like tying knots. For an immediate solution for full prescriptions, "fit-over" or "over-the-glass" (OTG) styles are designed to be worn comfortably over your existing glasses. For a dedicated pair, premium brands like **Mako, Spotters, and Tonic** offer prescription lens programs through their specialised optometrist dealers.
How can I test if my sunglasses are truly polarised?
There's a simple trick. Look at a digital screen, like your smartphone or a boat's sounder. Hold the sunglasses in front of you and look through a lens, then slowly rotate them 90 degrees. If they are genuinely polarised, the screen will go dark or completely black out at a certain angle. Non-polarised lenses will show no change.
