Although some glasses may look similar from an appearance point of view, they could be worlds apart when it comes to their performance in filtering light through directional opening – this is called polarisation of light. In the context of sunglasses lenses this means polarised and unpolarised sunglasses. There are some key differences that you should know before you choose a pair of sunglasses for your next fishing trip.
Reduction in Glare
When comparing polarized and unpolarized sunglasses during fishing, the main differences in reduced glare are:
| Aspect | Polarised Sunglasses | Unpolarised Sunglasses |
|---|---|---|
| Glare Reduction | Effectively reduce glare by filtering out horizontally reflected light, allowing clear visibility. | Reduce overall brightness but do not block glare, leaving reflective light from water’s surface. |
| Visibility Beneath the Water | Improve underwater visibility by cutting glare, making it easier to spot fish and obstacles. | Visibility beneath the water remains limited due to persistent glare, making it harder to see clearly. |
| Eye Comfort | Reduce eye strain and discomfort by eliminating harsh reflections, providing greater comfort. | Less effective at reducing eye strain, as glare remains present, leading to discomfort over time. |
| Performance in Bright Conditions | Perform well in bright, sunny conditions by blocking intense light reflected off the water surface. | May darken the overall view, but do not manage glare effectively, making bright conditions harder. |
| Contrast and Clarity | Enhance contrast and sharpen details, allowing for clearer vision in high-glare environments. | Offer less visual clarity, making it harder to distinguish details or spot changes in water texture. |
Visibility Beneath the Water
One of the most noticeable advantages of polarized sunglasses while fishing is their ability to significantly improve visibility beneath the water’s surface. Polarized lenses work by filtering out horizontal light waves, which are responsible for creating intense glare off the water. As a result, when wearing polarized sunglasses, anglers can see through the water more clearly, making it easier to spot fish, submerged rocks, or structures like logs and weed beds.
For example, when fly fishing in clear freshwater streams, spotting fish before casting is crucial to success. Polarized sunglasses help eliminate the surface glare, allowing you to see trout swimming in deeper pools or hiding near rocks. Without polarized lenses, the bright reflections off the water’s surface can make it nearly impossible to distinguish fish from the water itself. Similarly, when saltwater fishing for species like snapper or kingfish in New Zealand’s coastal waters, polarized lenses allow you to see the fish approaching the boat, giving you a better chance to adjust your bait or lure presentation.
In contrast, unpolarized sunglasses provide minimal benefits for underwater visibility. While they may reduce overall brightness, they do not block the horizontal light that causes glare. This leaves the angler at a disadvantage, as glare from the water’s surface can obscure fish and underwater terrain. For instance, when using techniques like sight casting in shallow flats, where precision is key, unpolarized sunglasses can make it difficult to spot fish until they are right beneath the surface, limiting your reaction time.
In low-light situations like early morning or late afternoon, polarized lenses continue to provide enhanced visibility. Even when the sunlight isn’t as strong, reflections off the water can still be problematic, and polarized sunglasses help maintain clarity. Conversely, unpolarized lenses leave anglers struggling to pick out details, often relying more on luck than skill in identifying fish movements or changes in water patterns.
Eye Comfort
Eye comfort is a crucial factor during long hours spent fishing, and this is where polarized sunglasses truly shine. Polarized lenses greatly reduce the strain caused by glare from water surfaces, making them essential for any angler, especially during prolonged sessions in bright, reflective environments. By blocking horizontal light waves that create intense reflections, polarized sunglasses provide a more relaxed and comfortable visual experience, allowing you to focus on your fishing without the discomfort of squinting or eye fatigue.
For example, when trolling or drifting for kingfish in the open sea, the constant movement of the boat and the sun’s reflection off the water can be blinding, causing strain on your eyes. With polarized sunglasses, the glare is minimized, allowing you to scan the horizon and spot birds or surface activity, all while keeping your eyes comfortable. Without the strain of harsh reflections, you can spend more time enjoying the experience and less time worrying about headaches or eye fatigue.
Unpolarized sunglasses, while they might reduce overall brightness, fail to adequately combat glare. This means your eyes still have to work harder to adjust to the intense reflections coming off the water, leading to discomfort and strain, especially after several hours of fishing. For instance, when you’re fishing in a sunny lake or river, you may find yourself constantly adjusting your head position to avoid direct sunlight and glare, which unpolarized lenses don’t manage effectively. Over time, this leads to tired eyes, squinting, and even headaches, diminishing your overall enjoyment of the fishing trip.
Additionally, polarized sunglasses are particularly helpful during high-glare periods, such as midday when the sun is at its peak. Whether you’re casting inshore or deep-sea fishing, the intense sunlight reflected off the water’s surface can be overwhelming. Polarized lenses help maintain eye comfort, reducing the need for squinting and allowing you to maintain a relaxed focus on the water. On the other hand, unpolarized sunglasses do little to alleviate the discomfort caused by such conditions, leaving your eyes more vulnerable to strain and fatigue.
In low-light or overcast conditions, polarized sunglasses continue to provide eye comfort by adjusting to changing light levels without causing strain. While unpolarized lenses may darken the environment, they don’t reduce the glare effectively, leading to a less comfortable fishing experience overall. This is especially important during long fishing excursions when eye comfort plays a big role in staying alert and focused on catching fish.
Performance in Different Brightness Levels
The table below highlights the key differences between polarized and unpolarized sunglasses in terms of their performance at various brightness levels during fishing, showcasing how each type affects visibility, glare reduction, and overall comfort in low light, moderate light, and bright light conditions.
| Brightness Level | Examples | Polarised Sunglasses | Unpolarised Sunglasses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Light | Early Morning Late Evening | Provide better contrast and reduce glare, even in low light, allowing clearer vision of fish and water structures. | May darken the view too much in low light, making it harder to see fish or underwater details. |
| Moderate Light | Overcast Days | Effectively reduce glare while maintaining clarity, enhancing visibility without darkening the environment too much. | Reduce overall brightness but do not address glare, leading to reduced clarity and potential eye strain. |
| Bright Light | Sunny Days Midday | Significantly reduce glare from water and reflective surfaces, providing comfort and clarity during the brightest part of the day. | Reduce brightness but leave distracting glare, making it harder to spot fish or focus during bright conditions. |
Contrast and Clarity
When it comes to contrast and clarity, polarized sunglasses provide a significant advantage over unpolarized lenses, especially during fishing. Polarized lenses work by cutting down the glare from reflective surfaces like water, which helps to enhance contrast and sharpen details in your surroundings. This is particularly important when fishing in environments with bright sunlight or reflective water surfaces, where spotting fish or identifying underwater structures can be difficult. For example, when sight fishing in shallow waters, polarized sunglasses allow anglers to detect subtle movements and distinguish fish from rocks, plants, or other debris beneath the surface.
In high-glare situations, such as midday when the sun is at its peak, polarized lenses maintain visual clarity by filtering out reflections, allowing anglers to see more clearly through the water. This is especially beneficial for techniques that require precise observation, such as fly fishing, where watching fish rise to the surface is crucial. Polarized lenses enable anglers to track these movements with greater accuracy, improving overall fishing success.
On the other hand, unpolarized sunglasses do little to enhance contrast or clarity. While they may reduce overall brightness, they don’t block the intense glare coming off the water, which can obscure details and make it harder to spot fish or read water patterns. For instance, in cloudy or overcast conditions, unpolarized lenses may darken the environment but still leave behind distracting reflections, making it difficult to notice subtle changes in water depth or identify where fish might be hiding. This lack of clarity can lead to missed opportunities and a less effective fishing experience.