Sight fishing is not a lot of fun if you can’t see the fish. And glare from the sunshine and water can be tough on your eyes during long days. But there are plenty of great polarized fishing sunglasses for sight fishing.
Keep reading as we review what to look for when buying sight fishing sunglasses. Plus, the best polarized sunglasses for sight fishing!
And check out our guide to the Best Polarized Fishing Sunglasses for more!
Table of Contents
Why Wear Polarized Sunglasses For Sight Fishing?
Polarized sunglasses are the best way to handle one pesky issue: glare. And since glare is caused by sunlight reflecting off surfaces like water, it’s very common in fishing.
Glare is distracting and can be downright painful. When you’re sight fishing, it can spoil your whole trip. Plus, glare on a sunny day can make it impossible to see the fish. Polarized lenses in your sunglasses reduce that glare, so you know where to cast your line.
It’s also important to note that you can experience glare even if it’s not a sunny day. Since water is so reflective, it can be hard to sight fish in any weather conditions. Especially without the right sunglasses. That’s why we recommend polarized sunglasses.
Even Overcast, variable light, and heavily clouded conditions can be improved by polarized lenses. Plus, they’ll make it easier to see at dusk and dawn, too.
Do Polarized Lenses Protect Your Eyes?
Along with stopping glare, polarized lenses also protect your eyes. This is especially useful during long days of fishing in the sun. Even when there isn’t full sun, there are still harmful UV rays. These rays can cause long-term damage to your eyes. Polarization is one of the ways you can protect your eyes from those damaging rays.
By choosing a pair of sunglasses with polarized lenses, you decrease the risk of eye damage while improving visibility in the water. Plus, sunglasses will also help protect your eyes from any debris!
Polarized sunglasses are the top choice for sight fishing, deep water fishing, or just hanging out on a lake with a line in the water. If you want to be comfortable and have the best visual clarity for any fishing, polarization is the way to go!
Read more in our comparison of polarized vs. non-polarized lenses.
The Best Lens Colors for Sight Fishing
Anglers today ask for more than just polarized lenses in their sunglasses. Why? Because they can! And today, there are high-quality contrast, color, and clarity enhancing lens colors that make it even easier to spot fish. Plus, these lenses can reduce eye strain and improve vision!
The best lens colors for sight fishing are green, amber, and rose. These colors offer excellent contrast and help you see through muddy water. And lighter colored lenses like yellow can also be helpful in low light conditions even when glare isn’t a big issue.
Our Favorite Shallow Water and Sight Fishing Lenses
Since sight fishing is generally a shallow water sport, your typical fishing lenses may not be the right choice. For example, you’re not going to spot that marlin while you’re on a deep water charter before you throw in a line. Deep water lenses are more focused on glare than actually being able to see fish below the surface like shallow water lenses.
Here are our favorite lenses that are very well suited to shallow water fishing:
Costa Del Mar Green Lightwave Glass
Costa’s green mirror offers enhanced contrast optimized for shallow water with a copper base and 10% visible light transmission. And this mirrored lens is scratch-resistant, helping them last longer.
Overall, Costa Del Mar Green Lightwave Glass lenses give you excellent clarity and are very thin and lightweight. Plus, Costs offers both polycarbonate lenses and Lightwave glass lenses. (We’d recommend polycarbonate for most fishers).
Oakley Prizm™ Shallow Water
Oakley Prizm Shallow Water lenses use Oakley’s incredible Prizm lens technology to enhance contrast and color. These lenses are perfect for sight fishing in lakes, rivers, and flats. And the combination of HDPolarized™ and Prizm™ technologies lets you see details beneath the water surface with greater clarity.
Oakley Prizm Shallow Water lenses have a 15% visible light transmission and have a rose base color. Read more in our Oakley Prizm Shallow Water Review.
Smith Optics ChromaPop™ Green Mirror
Smith Optics ChromaPop™ Green Mirror lenses are a great polarized lens for sight fishing. That’s because they help you clearly see colors and tones that cause color confusion. Color confusion is when your retina has difficulty distinguishing similar colors like blue from green. ChromaPop™ lens technology filters those crossover areas, giving crisp colors and superior definition.
The ChromaPop™ Green Mirror Lens has a 12% visible light transmission and a grey base lens color.
The 11 Best Polarized Sunglasses for Sight Fishing
11. Costa Del Mar Ballast
Costa Del Mar Ballast (Product Link) sunglasses are a rimless frame with shiny black temple arms and nose pieces. And they have a cool, stylized look at the nose and temples.
The polarized polycarbonate lenses and nylon frame components are lightweight and comfortable. And this style is available from Costa with blue mirrored or grey lenses that are best in the bright sun.
If you’re a casual angler and like sleek, modern styling with a nearly weightless feel, this pair should be on your list!
Costa also offers Ballast Readers with magnification for those who need it. Ballast Readers have polarized polycarbonate copper lenses that are excellent for variable light sight fishing.
Ballast Highlights
- The Ballast’s Premium Polarized 580® Lenses cut glare and enhance colors, especially useful in full sun on open water
- Costa uses a C-Wall coating that is scratch-resistant
- Ballast lenses provide 100% UV protection and stop harmful blue light
10. Smith Guide’s Choice
Smith Optics offers Guide’s Choice (Product Link) sunglasses for fishing. This full-frame style has rectangular lenses with a big wrap for great coverage. And the ear stems are wide at the temple for a bold look. Based on its size, this frame fits medium to large faces.
These sunglasses are available in a variety of plastic frame colors and lens colors. But, our favorite is green mirror ChromaPop because they provide great contrast. Plus, the Guide’s Choice features glass Techlite™ lenses that are scratch-resistant and lightweight. You can also buy Guide’s Choice sunglasses with their Polarchromic (photochromic) lenses.
Guide’s Choice Highlights
- Detachable leash is integrated into the frame
- Mergol temples and nose pads keep the glasses from slipping
- Anti-reflective coating to reduce eye strain and 100% UV protection
9. Costa Rincon
The Costa Rincon (Product Link) is an extra-large style with a full-frame and square lens s. It has a moderate base six wrap for improved peripheral coverage and protection and a straight bridge. The frame is made of an eco-friendly castor plant bio-based resin.
This XL frame is 136 mm wide with 140 mm temple arms. Costa offers the Rincon in several frame colors with grey polarized polycarbonate lens s. These lenses are best for full sun conditions.
Try these sunglasses if you have a large face or head and want a big, bold, oversized style. The Costa Rincon is available with prescription lenses.
Rincon Highlights
- Scratch-resistant coating and water and sweat barrier for easier cleaning
- 100% UV light absorption for optimal eye protection
- Glare reduction optimized with Premium Polarized 580® lenses
8. Oakley Holbrook
The Holbrook (Product Link) is one of Oakley’s most versatile frames. Excellent for lifestyle and streetwear, this full-frame style is great for transitioning from everyday to outdoor activities. And thanks to their thin earstems, you can comfortably wear these sunglasses with a hat. Plus, these also work great as women’s fishing sunglasses.
If you’re a casual angler or looking for one all-around pair of shades, this is your frame.
We’d recommend Oakley’s Prizm Shallow Water or Prizm Jade lens for sight fishing. Prizm Jade has a grey base color that keeps colors looking natural while it enhances color and contrast. And this lens has a visible light transmission of 13% and works well in variable light conditions.
Oakley Holbrook sunglasses are available with prescription lenses, and the Prizm™ Jade lenses are available either polarized or non-polarized.
Read more in our Oakley Holbrook Guide.
Holbrook Highlights
- Extremely versatile design that’s excellent for streetwear and sight fishing
- Large square lenses featuring contrast-enhancing Prizm technology
- Impact-resistant Plutonite lenses with 100% UVA, UVB, and UVC protection
7. Maui Jim Local Kine
Maui Jim Local Kine (Product Link) sunglasses are ideal for anyone who wants simple, clean lines and a classic look. While this is a larger frame, the styling keeps it sleek and versatile. All while still offering excellent coverage.
Maui Jim offers the Local Kine in four dark frame colors and multiple lens options. For sight fishing, we recommend MAUIGreen® lenses with a mirror coating.
Local Kine Highlights
- Very thin glass lenses offer excellent clarity
- Embedded rubber nose pads increase comfort and decrease slipping
- Lenses are scratch-resistant and offer increased contrast
6. Smith Longfin Elite
Smith Optic’s Login Elite (Product Link) is a bold, full-frame style that’s great for fishing. We love the nylon frame with square lenses and a lifestyle design with tactical features. And the Longfin Elite does double duty. Since this frame can be styled as sunglasses or used as safety glasses with a clear lens.
Smith Optics offers the Longfin Elite in three frame colors and five lens colors. The best for sight fishing is the polarized grey or rose-colored Ignitor.
Ignitor is Smith’s proprietary lens for enhanced contrast and depth perception. These properties also help to reduce eye strain. And with 32% VLT, this is a great lens for variable light or cloudy days.
Longfin Elite Highlights
- Full-frame style made of lightweight nylon for a comfortable fit all-day
- Medium to large fit, with plenty of coverage and supplemental side panels for extra protection
- Impact-resistant lens material offers 100% UVA, UVB, and UVC protection
5. Costa Del Mar Blackfin
Costa Del Mar Blackfin (Product Link) sunglasses feature a clean, rectangular full-frame style with wide temples for extra side protection. Do you have a big head and want a sleek but bold style? Blackfins may be the sunglasses for you, thanks to their larger frame. And this frame features Costa’s Hydrolite grips. These grips are found on the nose pad and temple arms of the Blackfin to reduce slipping in sweaty or wet conditions.
Like Costa’s other styles, the Blackfin has Premium Polarized 580® lenses that are scratch-resistant and provide 100% UV protection. And the Blackfin is available in three frame colo s. Our favorite is the green mirror lens featuring a copper base color and 10% VLT.
Blackfin Highlights
- The Blackfin is available with either glass or polycarbonate lenses
- The Costa Green Mirror lens works well for full or variable light conditions
- Polarized 580® lenses cut glare, enhance colors, and absorb blue light
4. Costa Del Mar Diego
The Costa Del Mar Diego (Product Link) is an extra-large full-frame style that’s great for fisherman with bigger faces. Diego sunglasses also have some fantastic advanced features specifically designed for anglers. They offer great peripheral coverage with additional top and side panels for extra protection. Plus, the temples of the Diego are strap ready, so you can easily connect Croakies or any other leash system.
The Diego comes in three frame colors and two lens materials: glass and polycarbonate plastic. Both materials feature Premium Polarized 580® lenses that cut glare and enhance color! Plus, Costa lenses provide 100% UV protection and absorb blue light.
From avoiding light leaks to keeping your sunglasses from falling in the water, the Costa Del Mar Diego has you covered.
Diego Highlights
- Flexible earstems designed to accommodate a leash or strap system
- Vented hinge increases airflow and improves fit
- Sweat management channels decrease moisture for greater comfort and improved grip
3. Maui Jim Southern Cross
Maui Jim’s Southern Cross (Product Link) sunglasses do not disappoint with their large wrap for max protection. With wide, deep rectangular lenses, this is an excellent frame for any anglers with large faces or who like plenty of coverage. And this style features clean lines and a slick design, making it versatile enough for streetwear and fishing.
Maui Jim offers the Southern Cross in three frame colors and eight lens colors. We recommend MauiGreen® (glass) and Maui Rose® (polycarbonate) lenses for sight fishing.
Southern Cross Highlights
- Rectangular frame design with embedded nose rubbers to reduce slipping
- Available with MauiGreen lenses to boost contrast on the water
- Scratch-resistant lenses help your glasses last longer even after a few falls
2. Costa Del Mar Fantail
At number two on our list, Costa Del Mar Fantail (Product Link) sunglasses are the smaller sibling of the Blackfin. With smaller temple arms and lenses, the Fantail fits most head sizes and shapes well. Plus, the Blackfin is available with all of our favorite Costa lenses for sight fishing, including Green Mirror Polarized Glass.
These lenses feature Costa’s 580® lens technology designed to reduce glare, enhance color and contrast, and absorb blue light. Green Mirror specifically offers enhanced contrast, a copper base color, and 10% VLT.
Costa offers the Fantail in four frame colors and both glass and polycarbonate 580® lenses (our recommendation).
Fan Tail Highlights
- Full-frame classic fishing design with a moisture barrier for easier cleaning
- Durable and scratch-resistant lenses with 100% UV protection
- Textured Hydrolite on nose pads and temple arms reduces slipping
1. Oakley Split Shot
While Oakley may not be devoted entirely to sunglasses for anglers, they are innovating for almost every sport. And Oakley Split Shot (Product Link) sunglasses are Oakley’s first fishing frame, with a big wrap and detachable leash. Plus, Oakley designed these sunglasses to be comfortable with most fishing hats.
And since this is Oakley’s flagship fishing frame, it’s no surprise that they feature Prizm Shallow Water and Deep Water lenses. Plus, you can easily swap between lenses based on your type of angling. For sight fishing, we’d recommend Prizm Shallow Water which helps cut through water, mud, and plants while reducing glare.
Read more in our Oakley Split Shot Review.
Split Shot Highlights
- Full-frame design built for fishing with a detachable leash and Unobtainium nosepads for grip
- Impact-resistant Plutonite lenses offer 100% UV protection and filter blue light up to 400nm
- Available with Oakley Authentic Prescription lenses, including Prizm fishing lens options
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sight Fishing?
Sight fishing is shallow water fishing where you spot fish and cast a line or try to get them to bite on an existing line.
Anglers usually sight fish in shallow water, typically rivers and freshwater lakes. Saltwater flats are also a great choice as long as you have good sunglasses and the water is clear enough to see the fish.
Sight fishing is exciting and fun, with the angler chasing the fish rather than waiting for them to spot a lure or bait underwater. Successful sight fishing depends on using shadows, spotting hiding places, and knowing when the fish are likely to appear. Before heading out, do some research.
And you’ll want to figure out what types of fish populate your local waterways. Maybe it’s trout or perhaps bass fishing rules in your area. Either way, you’ll want the right kind of bait or lures to attract the fish you’re after. We’d recommend asking other anglers for tips on the best sight fishing spots. They might not want to give up their secret places, but it’s worth a try!
Are Polarized Sunglasses Better For Sight Fishing?
Yes, polarized sunglasses are considered essential by most sight fishermen. That’s because sight fishing requires you to look directly at the water. And that means you’ll see a lot of glare, especially during sunny conditions.
Water and sun combine for a particularly intense glare. Trying to spot fish in those harsh light waves is nearly impossible. Even on cloudy days, water is so reflective that glare is a problem for sight fishing.
Polarized sunglasses are designed specifically to reduce glare. If you’re an experienced angler but have just started sight fishing, you may discover that your favorite sunglasses aren’t quite right. Regular polarized lenses may cut the glare but not maximize your ability to spot fish. That’s where the latest fishing lenses come in handy. These lenses, like Costa 580 or Prizm Shallow Water, are specifically designed to help you spot fish in the water while still stopping glare.
If you’re new to sight fishing or looking to replace your old sunglasses, consider these high-quality options. Advanced technology and protective frame styles will make your time fishing more comfortable and help you spot the elusive fish you’re after.
Have a Question?
Want to know more about the best polarized sight fishing sunglasses? Or sunglasses in general? Let us know in the comments below.
