Stephen Mick

One key thing about polarization that most folks may not know While just about all polarizing films work the same way, many manufacturers apply their polarizing film to the outside of the lens. Problem is, it's easy to scratch and will degrade quicker. The best sunglasses sandwich the polarizing film in between lens layers to protect the integrity of the film. Make sure you get a pair with the polarizing film integrated into the lens layers. Otherwise, you'll be buying another pair before you know it. --SM

Hmmmm That probably depends on your job. If it's the kind of work where you're using your eyes quite a bit outdoors, perhaps you can swing it.

Glad it's helpful! I've got quite a bit of experience with sunglass brands, and across the board, the ones who rely on polycarbonate lenses are the weakest. (Though they'll try to explain otherwise.) Polycarbonate is used in pretty much any sunglasses where the frame is attached directly to the lens (like sport-metals or super-light frames) and they're used in interchangeable lens frames also. The lenses have to flex to fit in the frames. Good for manufacturing, bad for vision.

Glass sunglasses are a tricky proposition, for a few reasons. First, they are the most optically correct material you can get. (Let's say a "10" out of "10".) But they are heavier, and if you don't take the weight into account when you pick a frame, you may end up with sunglasses that are front-heavy. Sport styles are generally good candidates for glass. Second, most of what's out there are polycarbonate lenses. Now, companies can say what they want about how great their poly is, it still isn't nearly as optically correct as glass. (Think of it as a "7" out of "10".) Most "super-lightweight" styles will be polycarbonate lenses, simply because they have to be flexible to be drilled for frame assembly. Flexible is bad for optical correctness. As far as prescriptions go, if that's what you need, make sure that the lenses you get are true "brand" lenses. What this means is that if you go into a sunglass shop and want a pair of X brand sunglasses with prescription lenses, make sure they actually use brand X lenses, not just off the shelf generic lenses in a brand X frame. (Sorry to wander off topic here.) Benefits of glass lenses? Optical correctness, plain and simple. If you want the absolute best lenses, get glass. But there is another choice CR-39. (Google it if you want.) CR-39 is lighter than glass, with an optical correctness of about "9.7" out of "10". Personally, I think this is the way to go. It's tough and impact-resistant and comes in a bunch of lens colors and frame styles. I won't steer you towards any particular brand, but I'd go with either glass or CR-39, and stay away from polycarbonate. --SM

Okay, so here's a quick story while I'm waiting to board my plane. Wade Grooms, a rookie on the Elite tour, is a super-nice guy. I mean, most of the pros are really cool, but Wade always takes the time to chat about what's going on out on the water, and what the lifestyle is like. So, at Murray, where does he finish? 51st, one ounce out of the 50-cut, missing out on $10K! Which wouldn't be so bad if he hadn't finished 51st the tournament before at Clarks Hill! That one he missed by two ounces. But he still had a great attitude, knew that the points were valuable, and spent the better part of an hour chatting with me and introducing me to his family. A good guy. --SM

I'll be posting more pictures tonight when I finally get home. In the meantime, here's a link to the web series I'm working on with Jason Quinn. (Many of you may have already seen it.) Two episodes are up, with more to come soon http://www.costachannelc.com/videos/Costa_TV/Jason_Quinn/New_Episode_1_Bass_Life_with_Jason_Quinn_The_Good_The_Bad_The_Ugly/ Looks like the next tournament I'll be covering will be Fort Madison, Iowa in late June. But I'll keep the pictures (and stories) coming when I can. Enjoy! SM

Here's my take (pasted from the previous thread about polarized sunglasses) Many people underestimate the role/importance of lens color. Offshore folks die by their blue mirrors, which are perfect for open water, heavy sun days. When people (like some of the Elite guys) ask me what lenses are right for bass fishing, I always say that Copper and Amber lenses are likely going to be the most versatile for all conditions, and good for off-water (driving, throwing horseshoes, etc.) as well. Lens color is all about water color and conditions. Basically, as I understand it, you want to pick a lens color similar to the colors in front of you. The copper and amber lenses tend to filter out some of those very colors, evening out the visual field in most bass lakes. But no pair of sunglasses is going to let you see through the murky water. --SM

If I told you why I know so much about sunglasses, let's just say everyone here would accuse me of using this forum to "sell someone's product." The truth is, if you get a pair of sunglasses from either the biggest sunglass company out there (um, the big "O") or from the company that Quinn supports, you're going to get a good, quality product with lots of R&D behind the lenses. I like the latter for a few reasons. One, their top of the line lenses really are worth the extra money (and I have to buy mine like everyone else). Two, they just fit better (at least they fit my huge head better. And three, they come with a no-bulls*it lifetime warranty. If it's a defect, they're replace them. If I sit on them, they'll fix them (at my expense of course). Ian, you and I sound like we come from similar sporting backgrounds. You obviously know how important the right eyewear can be. When it comes to my eyes, no amount of money is too much to spend to protect them. As for what to look for, many people underestimate the role/importance of lens color. Offshore folks die by their blue mirrors, which are perfect for open water, heavy sun days. When people (like some of the Elite guys) ask me what lenses are right for bass fishing, I always say that Copper and Amber lenses are likely going to be the most versatile for all conditions, and good for off-water (driving, throwing horseshoes, etc.) as well. Lens color is all about conditions. Basically, as I understand it, you want to pick a lens color similar to the colors in front of you. The copper and amber lenses tend to filter out some of those very colors, evening out the visual field. So, start with the lens and work back from there. Try on as many frames as you can to find the perfect fit. And always get a pair with the best warranty you can find. --SM

Okay, let's just say you can take this answer from someone who knows something about fishing sunglasses. You're right, polarization is key for sight fishing. But the quality of polarization varies from brand to brand. For example, I was out fishing with Jason Quinn a few weeks ago, and he was wearing a pair of his usual white sunglasses (brand name omitted). I had a competing brand of polarized glasses on (brand name also omitted). He was sight fishing to a bass on a bed no more than fifteen feet away. I couldn't see it with my shades on, but when I put his on, I could see everything. But polarization is only part of what you get with a pair of good glasses. On the water, UV protection is also key, and the effects of exposure to UV rays on the eyes over time are not good. Eye fatigue is also a problem. When you've been out on the water all day and you get in your truck, you'll notice the difference when you've been wearing a good pair of sunglasses. Another thing to consider is how the polarization is implemented. A lot of companies simply use polarizing film on the outside of the lens. This will scratch and degrade over time. You want a quality pol. film sandwiched into the lens layers themselves. All of this is a lot of words to say that polarized sunglasses do a lot more than just help you see fish on a bed. They're key for that, but protecting your eyes over the long term is even more important. Only a truly good pair of sunglasses is going to do that. Think of them as a lifejacket for your eyes. And again, take this from someone who knows a little something about sunglasses. --SM

Hey, thanks! I'll post a few more as I have time. I'm heading out to Murray on Monday, so I'll have fresh pics sometime soon.

The work never ends. This was taken just at sunset out at Falcon.

As much tackle as these guys carry, there isn't a town they visit where they don't hit the tackle shop

Quinn with a good-sized fish in hand

K-Short with a Falcon Lake catch

Here's Quinn and Rook talking at the docks

Here's K-Short casting out on Falcon Lake

Guys, Great stories and pics! I've had the good fortune to hang out with a bunch of the Elite guys for the last couple of months, and they are all really good guys. I actually had dinner with KVD, Quinn, Rook, Scroggins and Wirth the night KVD won the Kissimmee event. (Zona joined us also.) As athletes, the things they do on the water are amazing. As people, they're as down to earth and approachable as you'd hope. (Although KVD is a pretty intense guy.) I'll post some pics when I get a chance. Cheers! ED: It's going to take some time to sift through all the pics, but I'll post as soon as I can.

Thanks! Good to be here. A little background about myself (not to hijack this thread) I'm a freelance filmmaker based in Austin, Texas, and one of my current gigs is to follow Elite Pro Jason Quinn around all season long and create a "reality" series for the web. Let's just say that I've gotten to meet a lot of the guys out here, and for the most part, they're all quality. Cheers!

New member here Just wanted to echo what a good guy Paul is. I had a chance to sit down and interview him at the Classic this year, and he's really a class guy and yes, totally old-school.