What Color Polarized Lens Is Best For Fishing | Fly Fishing
Welcome back! This review will take a beginner’s plunge into fly fishing sunglasses technology. We will tackle what color polarized lens is best for fishing, specifically fly fishing (no surprise!). A talk on lens color wouldn’t be complete unless we also answer related questions like what is the difference between polarized and non-polarized sunglasses. If you found yourself here but are not a fly fisherman, pull up a chair anyway and get comfortable! Lens color and polarization apply the same regardless of how you fish. The same guidance applies to women’s sunglasses as well. Hopefully, that is obvious, but we wanted to say it anyway!
Glad you are with us, and as always, thank you for taking the time to visit. We hope our deep dive into lens color will help make your next buying decision more straightforward and your purchase more successful.
QUICK LINKS
- 8 Important Considerations For Fly Fishing Sunglasses.
- What Is The Difference Between Polarized And Non Polarized Sunglasses?
- How does polarization work?
- What Color Polarized Lens Is Best For Fishing?
- Conclusion
8 Important Considerations For Fly Fishing Sunglasses
The human eye is unique, incredibly versatile, and complex. It makes sense that a proper pair of sunglasses perfectly suited to protect and enhance our eye site would have a little tech built-in, and that is the case. And that tech goes well beyond just the eyes. It involves the face and head too. There are at least eight critical factors to consider when choosing the right sunglasses for your eager fly fishing eyes. As mentioned before, we will only focus on lens color today.
- Frame Fit: Different face shapes to consider.
- Frame Color: Balance style, coverage, performance.
- Polarization / UV: Yes, always.
- Lens Color: Multiple colors, each with unique advantages.
- Visual Clarity: Glass outperforms polycarbonate.
- Weight / Durability: Glass is more durable, polycarbonate weights less.
- Style: Color, design, performance, durability.
- Price: You might need more than one pair to cover all conditions.
Smith Guide’s Choice
The Guide’s Choice has been reimagined to exceed the needs of our most demanding customers. Incorporating our most advanced eyewear technologies, this style boasts wide temples and an aggressive wrap for superior light protection. Add to that premium Italian spring hinges, megol nose, and temple pads, a detachable sunglass leash, and optional premium 8 base ChromaPop or Techlite lenses, the Guide’s Choice is engineered for those that truly believe in the life outside walls.
![Bearded man wearing Smith Guide's Choice sunglasses in ChromaPop Glass Polarized Green Mirror lenses | Best fly fishing sunglasses | Jumping Rise](https://www.jumpingrise.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Screen-Shot-2022-02-09-at-6.10.13-AM-1-1024x637.png)
Key Features
- Premium Lenses: Durable & scratch resistant.
- Regular Fitting: A large lens front designed to fit those with an average-sized head.
- Climate: Smudge and moisture resistant coating for easy cleaning and clear optics
Tech Specs
- Frame Colors: 8 Colors
- Frame Material: Lightweight, flexible and durable TR90 frame
- Frame Hinges: AutoLock hinges hold frames open for easy one-hand on and off.
- Lens: ChromaPop+ Glass, Polarized, 100% UV Protection
- Lens Color: Blue Mirror, Green Mirror, Bronze Mirror, Copper Mirror, Low Light Yellow, Brown,
- Lens Curve: Base 8 Decentered
Size & Fit
- Size: Medium-large (L)
- Bridge Width: 17 mm
- Lens Width: 42 mm
- Lens Height: 62 mm
- Temple Arm Length: 120 mm
Smith Guide’s Choice Customer Reviews
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
– Aw.
These glasses made a big difference in my ability to see features while wade fishing. Built in lanyard is a nice touch.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
– John H.
Impressed with clear vision to see fish in the shallows as I am a fly fishing guide.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
– Bennett C
These glasses have superior comfort, which is super important to me as I wear them all day every day. I love the clarity of the chroma pop lenses helps me identify fish in the water easily. These features are why I am on my 3rd consecutive pair!
What Is The Difference Between Polarized And Non Polarized Sunglasses?
Polarized Lenses Are Essential For Fly Fishing
We could leave it at that, but we wouldn’t leave you hooked out on a line! Let’s reel it in a bit and keep it simple. A great tip to remember is that top sunglass manufacturers, those we are interested in for this review, use both polarization and lens color together as a team to deliver consistent performance in every possible fishing condition. Both are extremely important, in addition to UV protection, and so you will always see both together when you look at the product information on high-quality sunglasses.
How does polarization work?
![What Color Polarized Lens Is Best For Fishing | Polarized v.s. non-polarized sunglasses.](https://images.ctfassets.net/u4vv676b8z52/63MEuI8y9tX7a4VBnPXMW3/814cef135e70d9fc195169cefa0dec27/polarized-sunglasses-330x220_2x.jpg?fm=jpg&q=80)
We might as well tackle the answer to how polarized lenses work while we are at it. The answer is surprisingly simple. It goes something like this.
Think of a mini blind hanging in front of a window in your house, cabin, trailer, it wherever you reside. Even when they are open, the only light that passes directly through the blind’s openings is visible to you on the other side. Another similar example of polarized lenses would be that of the blinders found on horses’ eyes when that house is part of a team pulling a carriage. I suppose about how is when a popular beer commercial comes to mind. Anyway, the horses wear blinders to limit distraction and maintain focus on what is important to them, the road ahead.
The same applies to polarized sunglasses. A polarized filter creates vertical openings that allow light rays that approach vertically to pass through. Polarized lenses prevent horizontal light from entering from any other direction. As a result, light bounces off the pond or river will not strain your eyes. Blocking this excess refracted light reduced the amount of work and resulting fatigue that your eyes would otherwise have to deal with. Polarized lenses, lens color, and Ultra-violet (UV) protection are a non-negotiable must-have in your fly fishing sunglasses. All three work together to block unwanted light, reduce eye fatigue, and keep you comfortable and fishing longer.
What Color Polarized Lens Is Best For Fishing?
![What color polarized lens is best for fishing | Fly Fishing | Best polarized fly fishing sunglasses](https://www.jumpingrise.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/page-header-1-1024x577.png)
Blue Polarized Fly Fishing Lenses
![](https://www.jumpingrise.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/image-1.png)
- Ideal Conditions: When the sun is brightest, the light glare is most intense.
- Example Scenario: Off-shore fishing on open, reflective water. Ocean or lake on a clear sunny day.
- Key Benefits: Helps define contours enhances color perception.
- Other Considerations: Aesthetically pleasing/trendy and well suited for casual wear.
Green Polarized Fly Fishing Lenses
![](https://www.jumpingrise.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/image-2.png)
- Ideal Conditions: When light conditions are inconsistent. Bright light and shadows.
- Example Scenario: Sight fishing fresh water and inshore. Pond, stream, or river. Practical when the sun is still good mid-morning through late afternoon.
- Key Benefits: Dims glare while brightening shadows. Great multi-use color.
- Other Considerations: Good lens choice if you can only afford one pair of glasses for fishing and everyday wear.
Gray Polarized Fly Fishing Lenses
![](https://www.jumpingrise.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/image-3.png)
- Ideal Conditions: Great lens choice if accurate color perception is essential. Best for long exposure, really bright conditions. Too dark for early in the morning or late afternoon use in “shadowy” light conditions. Great for light-sensitive eyes.
- Example Scenario: Open wanter and in-shore sight fishing where light conditions are bright but not extreme contrast.
- Key Benefits: True color perception and maximum glare reduction. The darkest tint that is available.
- Other Considerations: Good choice for an all-in-one lens for sunny days. Not too flashy for casual wear.
Amber / Copper Polarized Fly Fishing Lenses
![](https://www.jumpingrise.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/image-2.png)
- Ideal Conditions: Great for high-glare scenarios and lower light conditions. Kelps spot fish more effectively in and out of shadows in shallow water.
- Example Scenario: In-shore fishing in lakes, streams, or shallow water. These are your Nymphing lenses, my angler friends!
- Key Benefits: Track objects in and out of shadows in shallow water. Green looks greener, neon is faded.
- Other Considerations: Like the gray lenses, these are a good choice for a “do everything” set of glasses. Not the top choice for aesthetics or trendiness.
Yellow Polarized Fly Fishing Lenses
![](https://www.jumpingrise.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/image-5.png)
- Ideal Conditions: Low light and cloudy conditions. Perfect early morning, late in the day, or under cloud cover.
- Example Scenario: Early morning lake, stream, or pond fishing. Hooking those last few big ones as the sunset is going down. Fishing on dark mountain streams in canyons on questionable weather days. Foggy or hazy conditions on the water.
- Key Benefits: Flashlight effect. Enhance dark light to make everything brighter than it is. Filters blue light.
- Other Considerations: Not a good choice for a “do it all” pair of sunglasses. Definitely not a good choice for bright conditions or light-sensitive eyes. You might look a little goofy wearing these lenses around town.
Costa Fantail PRO
Anglers know as well as anyone—the best can always get better. We’ve taken that sentiment to heart with the Costa Fantail PRO. The slimmed-down brother of the Blackfin PRO.
![Man wearing a hat with Costa Fantail Pro sunglasses in Blue Mirror polarized lenses. | Best sunglasses for fly fishing | Jumping Rise](https://www.jumpingrise.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Fantail_Pro_3_D-1024x512.jpeg)
Key Features
- Premium Lenses: Durable & scratch resistant.
- Wide Fitting: A large lens front designed to fit those with a wide head.
- Max Coverage: Frames with maximum-coverage and wrap that help reduce light leak.
- Comfort: Adjustable nose pads.
- Cimate Control: Vented nose pads. Sweat channels and eye wire drains.
Tech Specs
- Frame Colors: Matte Grey, Matte Black, Matte Wetlands
- Frame Material: Bio-based Nylon
- Lens: 580 Glass, Polarized, 100% UV Protection
- Lens Color: Blue Mirror, Silver Mirror, Gray, Green, Sunrise
- Lens Curve: Base 8 Decentered
Size & Fit
- Size: Large (L)
- Frame Width: 133 mm
- Bridge Width: 16 mm
- Lens Width: 60 mm
- Lens Height: 41.8 mm
- Temple Arm Length: 121 mm
Costa Fanatil Pro Customer Reviews
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
– Will S
These are just the creme of the crop. I tell ya I’ve owned em all, Oakley, Maui Jim’s, ect. ect. And these are DURABLE I got the 580g lens and the coating is awesome and hard to scratch, and easily the clearest lenses I’ve ever looked through. Now I put on some cheap sunglasses and feel like I’m in a fish bowl and reach for my Costas once again. The polarization and filtering of light is absolutely amazing for days on the bright ocean and reflictive water and snow. No more squints headaches.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
– Will S
These are just the creme of the crop. I tell ya I’ve owned em all, Oakley, Maui Jim’s, ect. ect. And these are DURABLE I got the 580g lens and the coating is awesome and hard to scratch, and easily the clearest lenses I’ve ever looked through. Now I put on some cheap sunglasses and feel like I’m in a fish bowl and reach for my Costas once again. The polarization and filtering of light is absolutely amazing for days on the bright ocean and reflictive water and snow. No more squints headaches.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
– Casey
Very excited to get this pair of Fantails! After finally getting sick of plastic lenses in Oakleys, scratching when you breath on them, I’m all about the 580G. These are the real deal. The glass lenses are etched with 580, the plastic ones say 580P, and the prescription lenses have the Costa logo and 580. SportRX has a video explaining this. I think these look great and the fit is fantastic! This seller has these at a great price, don’t hesitate!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
– MRC
These Costa Fantail plastic frame blue mirror lens sunglasses are an excellent choice for serious fishermen who are also athletic and need reliable yet practical and truly effective eye protection. I have been wearing them for bone fishing for years and absolutely will always buy Costa. I had to send my last pair in after I ran over them—breaking both the right lens and frame. For the cost of shipping only, Costa mailed me a brand new pair 3 years after the original purchase with no strings or questions whatsoever. They are lightweight, comfortable, and I can see into the water—so well that I was able to fetch a gold spoon I accidentally lost in the weeds.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
– Boomer
Great lenses, solid frames, quality all the way around. When you get to this level of sunglasses there is not much that separates the top tier lenses from Smith, Costa or Oakley. Costa lenses, 580g..glass, are lightweight and awesome. Lifetime warranty is comforting. Have only had for a week but researched and these should be solid. Buy on sale or though other means. At full retail they are strongly priced. Good solid buy with Costa.
Conclusion
Regardless of your most common fly fishing conditions, we hope the information above helps you make your next informed choice on the best polarized fly fishing sunglasses for your needs. Figuring out what color polarized lens is best for fishing can be confusing but really shouldn’t be.
A Few Bonus Pro Tips
- In our experience, if you need to pick just one color of lens for budget reasons, first decide where you will wear your glasses most.
- If it is every day, you might want to choose gray or blue lenses and maybe a frame that has some style.
- If you have the budget for multiple sets of glasses, again examine your most common scenarios and use the info above to select the right lenses.
- Keep in mind that dark, non-glossy frames will work with (not against) your lens choice to help reduce extra sun glare. If you are only looking for performance, stick with black or gray frames.
Related Articles
Recent Articles
Review Archives
Want To Support Jumping Rise Reviews?
If you like what we are putting out and want to support Jumping Rise Fly Fishing Reviews, the best way to support (other than reading the reviews!) is to pass the word along. Check out our custom Eco-friendly stainless steel camping mug. We donate 1% of your purchase to Trout Unlimited.