|
SF and anyone else who doesn't use them, I hadn't used polarized glasses throughout my fishing career. The primary reason is that I wear prescription glasses and have since I was pretty young. There wasn't much in the way of polarized clip-ons back then and couldn't really afford polarized prescription lenses.
In 2000, I went to FL for the first time and had my first exposure to sight fishing flats for redfish and seatrout. The guide saw several reds and I couldn't see sh#@.
I finally wised up and got some polarized clip-ons and it opened my eyes bigtime. Just day to day I could see much clearer and to be honest, I think my eyes are alot worse than they need be due to years and years of bright sunlight exposure.
The next year in FL, I nailed a few reds cause I could actually see them, but I still missed a few good shots mainly because of the glare from the sides and below made it tough at times. Then got even "wiser" and got some Fitovers, which are a brand of sunglasses designed to fit over prescription lenses. They provide good coverage all around to keep glare out.
Last fall, I spent a couple weeks sight fishing the flats of Nantucket and even though conditions were often less than ideal, I saw alot of fish... fish I'd have never seen. I've used both amber and gray lenses and amber provides the best contrast in shallow water.
This spring I finally got some prescription polarized sunglasses in amber and even on cloudy days or lowlight conditions, I can see better... just in general, not even talking about on the water. And I wouldn't not get them just because you don't plan on sight fishing flats. They'll help you see alot of important things other than fish... bait, structure such as rocks or bars, depth changes, etc. etc. And you don't need to spend alot of money. Cabelas has functional pairs for just a few bucks and I'm sure any tackle shop does too.
Sorry for the long rant, but I feel like a major dork for never using them all those years and just wanted to pass on a lesson I learned.
|