Polarised glasses for fishing

If there is one worthwhile extra that immediately makes you a better angler, it is polarised glasses. They filter the glare off the water so you can suddenly look down into it: fish, structure, edges and your own bait. On top of that they protect the eyes against hooks and sun through a whole day at the water.

Why you see more

Without polarised glasses you mostly meet a mirror of the sky. With them the underwater landscape comes forward. You see fish that move, hunt or follow the bait, which lets you fish with purpose instead of casting blind. You see edges, shallows and inlets where the fish often hold. And you see how your bait runs and when a fish is coming, so you can time the retrieve. Many people first discover with polarised glasses how much fish is actually moving in front of them.

Lens colour

If you only have one pair, choose brown lenses. They give good contrast in most light and work across the most situations. Grey lenses are comfortable in strong sunlight and render colours naturally, while light or yellowish lenses help in overcast weather and dusk when the light is weak. If you have several pairs you can switch with the light, but start with the brown ones.

Protection you notice

Polarised glasses protect against more than sun. A hook flying through the air on a mistimed cast is a real risk, especially when you fish in company, and the glasses stand in between. The UV protection also saves the eyes over time, because the light at the water both comes from above and reflects off the surface. A pair you actually wear all day does more good than an expensive pair that stays in the pocket.

Affordable is enough

You do not need expensive glasses to get the effect. What matters is that the lenses are truly polarised, not just dark, and that they have UV protection. An affordable pair that sits comfortably and that you can stand wearing all day beats an expensive pair you leave at home. Combine the sight with the right time of day, see bite times, so you use it fully. The rest of the kit is under clothes and extras.