Sunglasses...

[Keith Hanson]

Perhaps not exactly fishing tackle, but certainly an important piece of equipment. I'm reading lots of reviews and advertisements, but who knows better than the folks who actually use them?

I'm certain that this won't cause much in the way of controversial discussion.

I'm pretty settled on Costa Del Mar.

I want light restriction around the edges of the frame and I want good clear constrast for flats fishing (red, snook, bonefish, etc) either wading or from canoe/kayak.

What style do you like/wear?

What color lens do your prefer?

Do you prefer the 400 or the 580 lens technology?

[BobG]

I recently replaced a 15 year old pair of Ocean Waves (tarpon series)with a pair of Costa Del Mar, Wave Killers.
I wish I bought another pair of Ocean Waves.--124-3 I still may.
Those OW's were as tough as nails, and comfortable as hell. They survived me going through a windshield on Cat Island, Bahamas, numerous falls and drops. But were finally did in by one of my labrador retreivers with big feet.
My new Costas look cool as all hell. But they are uncomfortable on my face, and seem real cheap when compared my older OW's. Not to mention I still squint in the bright sunlight.:rolleyes:

[Tarpon41]

I am assuming blanks no prescriptions. I need the latter. My POV is flats...bahamas and keys.

I have Oakley plastic, Guideline Plastic, Haber Plastic, Walmart/Sams Plastic(they use NuCor lenses)...in mirror gold, brown, copper, and dark yellow...recently got my first set of glass lenses either clear or polars in 45 years. They are blue mirror gray base...I should have got green mirror brown base but these were supposed to be blue water BUT there is nothing like glass prescription polars at least for me and I just used then in KW and they are noticeably sharper than the plastics and I saw fish...IMO check out the internet Haber or Guideline in glass plano lenses only. Brown or Copper/Rose...for price...I do not use 8 or 6 base lenses(wraps) because I use a Buff and the Buff covers the sides....

[VinnyV]

I have some Oakley Fives 2.0 Polarized (Plastic) they seem fine and cost about 100 bucks... I also have some CDM FATHOM Green Mirror 580 they are more expensive but nice...


Vin

[Frankie G]

I go for the Smith Action Optics as I have an RX. Lightweight, durable- I got the otis frames- not sure if they offer them anymore- with an amberish/light brown lense. Great for the flats or even offshore, though last year I did pick up a pair of SAO mavericks (by accident) with a slightly darker lense, though the eye coverage is better with the Otis. Customer service is impeccable. The Otis are kind of big lenses- my wife asks me if I think I am Bono when I wear them, but talk about eye coverage with no light coming in. Google them. My RX pair was @$220, which, for anyone who gets normal RX glasses, is a steal.


Frank

[BN2FSH]

I have used AO and Costa for years and I am now wearing Haber. They are a high quality pair of glasses at half the cost of the others. I like glass lenses for better clarity and the Haber rose/copper is great for flats fishing. I use the amber lenses on cloudy days and they have a grey lens with a blue flash which I like for offshore fishing.

[smcisaac]

I need Rx and have been very happy with my Action Optics (now Smith) photochromic copper lenses.

[sweet+salt]

The main thing is GLASS NOT PLASTIC. If plastics where optical-grade material, Nikon and Canon would be using them in some of the heavier parts of their lens construction where weight really does count. They are not because optical excellence is achievable only with specialty glass. US regulations for eyewear optics include a 'drop ball test' assuring the safety of all lenses. Polarized glass lenses are constructed by sandwiching a polarizing film between two ground glass wafers; this laminated assembly is even more shatter-proof than normal glass eyewear and, unlike plastics, is not prone to scratching. Color for the flats - where maximum contrast and visual acuity are paramount - is ideally a copper or vermillion copper tint. A second pair in amber are great for overcast conditions. Frame choice is about comfort and, I suppose, style and this will determine from which of the quality makers you make a selection. My newest pair which are heading with me to the southern Bahamas in a couple of weeks are Smith's 'Riverside' 8 base curve, spring hinged frames with photochromic copper Rx lenses. Smith has developed a technology that eliminates distortion in the curvature of the lenses which is a great feature. Don't be bashful; if you buy specialty fishing eyewear on-line, your local optician is generally pleased to custom adjust the frames to your face if you call and ask when a good time to come in might be. Lastly, fine tuned angling glasses are tackle in my opinion. In a visual sport like flats fishing, great glasses are, arguably, more vital than a great reel, but what the heck, lets have the best of everything and support are floundering tackle makers.

[SMod]

I have recently bought Oakley Sunglasses (http://www.sunglassesuk.com/Oakley_Sunglasses.asp) from a website and they are great. Infact i got it at bargain price . I m soooooooo happyy.

[sweet+salt]

OK, I am a visually oriented guy which translates into being all but exclusively a sight fisherman. Packing my boat/carry-on bag with cameras and reels (at least for the this first leg of the journey) I just took inventory on the eyewear that is to enhance my Bahamian fish finding in a couple of days. Two anti-reflective coated clear glasses (one as back-up), one light yellow amber for cloud cover (I hope not!), my general purpose wear around medium amber (worn on the plane and in camp but fully serviceable as hard core fishing back-ups), my new photochromic copper lenses (can't wait to spot bones with them) and my dark vermillion, super contrast X-Ray-the-flats on the brightest days techno shades. All Rx, all glass. I am taking too many to carry-on rods also but I regard my ability to see the fish and observe their reactions to my flies to be equally important to accurately casting my diverse crustacean imitations to them.

[Tarpon41]

S&S:
You're wound tight with anticipation. What's your wind line wt to what rod wt (floating line) wading and guided boat? Whose lenses are the dark vermilion glass? Which out island? and are you going to have the pleasure of Nassau?

[sweet+salt]

T41, You read me right; I'm riddled with anxiety about what I'm overlooking in my preparations and what minor bit of all-important gear I have not cataloged. I'll be much better once I land in, yes, Nassau. Ovenighting with my wife and six others at Orange Hill and then off to Acklins Island in the AM. I have been there before with several of my current fishing companions but it has been several years since my last visit and the wife has never been anywhere in the Bahamas but Andros. We'll liquor up at the airport as a decent bottle of malt is unavailable on Acklins.

I do have some new lines with me: Sage's own Equator Taper II to go with their TCX #8, built by their RIO friends but dissimilar from RIO's own new Bonefish line, which I also have mounted on a South African built MAGLA draw-bar reel with robust one-way bearing actuation. That I will mount on a prototype #8 from a custom Montana graphite builder (more about that when I return). I also have SA Mastery and Cortland Tropic Plus alternatives in my kit. I am trying an Orvis Helios #9 because I haven't fished a new Orvis rod in quite a while and I am curious. That is loaded with their Generation 3 Wonderline built by SA. Then there are several back up rods and reels up to 10 weight but the above three is what I plan on fishing with.

In the bight of Acklins and in the west side creeks, about 70% of the fishing is via wading. Only on the bigger tides (we will have a New Moon) and deeper flats will we pole. A new pair of Marlwalkers arrived the other day which should help but I hope my back will hold up to all that wading...

The vermilions where made in Italy (most such optics are Japanese made) in matched pairs and ground by a Salt Lake company that no longer exists. Costa del Mar now makes the tint closest to mine but not quite.

Got any tips on Nassau? I am out of here Thursday.