I have a couple of questions.  I am in Iraq on my 3rd tour but have been looking over the net for some new gear for when I get home, and I need new glasses.  First, how do Oakley's polarized glasses compare to some of the other popular brands for fishing glasses, and two, what color lenses would you recommend for sight fishing in a lake?  I prefer bronze for an all around polarized lense color but I am wondering if there's a better choice.  Thanks in advance!

I was told at the Sunglass shop that the Oakleys weren't as good as Maui Jims or Costa Del Mar. I have no idea if that is true or not but the lady gave me several reasons that I now have forgotten. She sold all brands and they were all in the same price range but she said Oakleys won't hold up in the saltwater as well.

I wear Maui Jims and really like them. There is a noticeable difference in mine vs. my buddies Ray Bans. I can see in the water much better....

I really like the blue and green Costa Del Mar lenses! I don't care for the looks as much but the performance is nice. I am thinking about getting some of these.

http://www.costadelmar.com/store/BVModules/ProductTemplates/Costa%20-%20Product%20Layout/Product.aspx?productid=FA

If you are looking for glasses to sightfish check out the Solar Bat Mossbacks. They are excellent for shallow water.

Oakleys are stylish, but I think there are better options when it comes to sunglasses for fishing. I recommend Costa Del Mars. I got some just in time for the spawn this year, and I have no idea how I lived without them. I have the Fathom model with Amber lenses.

My Ray Bans work well for me in almost any water and conditions.  I will probably go for a specialist pair at some point, but my RBs are my universal ultra comfort everyday shades.  They ran about $200.

I use peppers brand polarized.  They're only 20 bucks and I know I can see more than some other brands, judging by what other people in the boat see.  I've never really tried on a pair of quality lenses but I can see where they would work and my peppers wouldnt.  But for the price you can't beat em

while we can get polarized sunglasses by Oakley for CHEAP... I won't use them for fishing... they just don't cut it ... I have some Ocean Eyes that I am going to try when I get home.. if they don't cut it I will get me some Costal Del Mars.

AL

I bought a pair of the Oakley M-frames, polarized amber lens, about 5 years ago. They still work great today. I also wear them while on the shooting range. Make sure that whatever brand you get that the light is blocked out from all angles or it's not going to matter. I have two different pair, one for fishing and one for when I get off the water.

Make sure that whatever brand you get that the light is blocked out from all angles ... . I have two different pair, one for fishing and one for when I get off the water.

verry good advice.

My Ray bans woork really good and look good. My Costa Del Mar work even better, but arn't as stylish.

Lots of quality glasses on sale.

http://www.backcountryoutlet.com/outlet/subcat/9/Sunglasses.html

Costa Del Mar Fathom with glass polarized 580 lens at 40% off

http://www.backcountryoutlet.com/outlet/CDM0004/Costa-Del-Mar-

Fathom-Polarized-Sunglasses-Costa-580-Glass-Lens.html

I bought them a year ago for $150 and am very glad I did. My best glasses.

This website lets you return anything undamaged for any reason. Such as "didn't fit". You lose the shipping price though.

I use to work in a optometry office and have literally tried just about all glasses (Maui Jims, Carreras, Oakley, Costa Del Mar, Ocean Waves, etc.).  

As far as glasses the lens material makes the MOST difference, glass is better than Cr-39 (Plastic), or Polycarbonate (A high impact plastic), but there are trade-offs since glass is heavier.  Also the more swept the lens is the more optical imperfections can exist as your eyes move away from the center point of the lens, glass is more optically perfect than any plastic.  Polycarbonate is more scratch resistant followed by Glass and Cr-39.  

For fishing in open water in bright conditions stick to a grey lens or a grey lens with blue mirror. For fishing in low light conditions, shallow water, or extra cloud cover you can't go wrong with a amber lens with no mirror. If its a bit brighter than a green mirror is nice.  

I personally like the Costa Del Mar, but the Maui Jims are nice also, Oakley's are cool, but the hinges aren't usually very good and the warranty leaves much to be desired.  

The most versatile model of Costa del Mar for fishing are the interchangeable models I have a pair of Tropic Stars that are great and cover just about all conditions you'll experience while fishing.  Here is a link:

http://www.costadelmar.com/store/BVModules/ProductTemplates/Costa%20-%20Product%20Layout/Product.aspx?productid=TS

The Cadillac of the Costa Del Mar lens material are the 580 glass lens.  I really like the Fathom model in Amber for flats fishing/sight fishing and Gray for all around use.  The mirrored lens (Blue/Green) is nice in brighter conditions, but when it gets a bit cloudy there is not enough light penetration and it gets tough to see towards the end of the day.

Good luck and thanks for your work for this country!!

Well I just won some solarbat glasses and they work like a charm. oakleys for me are just for looks :-/ and alot of money to but the solarbats are olny $60-$80 not bad for a good pare of glasses with brown lens. I love them  ;D

I have Costa Del Mar MP2's with the green glass lens.  I love those glasses.

I have always wore the cheap Walmart and gas station sunglasses simply because I always lose them or break them. My wife has been saying for a while that if I a pair of good glasses I would take better care of them, I am about to find out. I got a pair of Oakleys from a guy at work for $30, they were a Christmas present and he said they are not his style so he just wanted to get ride of them. I just have been working too many hrs to get out to fish. I hope to use them this weekend.

i have oakleys ... they are great ,, there are alotta cheaper pairs out there ... but i still l0ve my oakleys ... i have the oil drums ... i have had a few other nice pairs but the oakley really seem nice ... the oil drums have big thick sides that block out the lite from the side and they have big lenses that give great protection ... i have the amber black iridium lenses ,,, love them they really work well in clear to gin clear waters ... they really take the glare off the water ... great for sight fishing in clear waters .... people may bagg on oakleys but i bet most that bag on them have never even worn a pair out fishing ...  ;D

There are numerous brands of polarized glasses out there. You would be wise to check out all the brands marketed towards watersports (skiing, wakeboarding).  I have had a pair of electric glasses for 5 years now and they reduce glare off the water better than my fathers brand new Costa's.

Oakleys are stylish, but I think there are better options when it comes to sunglasses for fishing. I recommend Costa Del Mars. I got some just in time for the spawn this year, and I have no idea how I lived without them. I have the Fathom model with Amber lenses.

kbhere   do you think that the amber lens are the way to go or the vermillion lens are they to dark . are you happy with the amber lens  kb

Oakleys are stylish, but I think there are better options when it comes to sunglasses for fishing. I recommend Costa Del Mars. I got some just in time for the spawn this year, and I have no idea how I lived without them. I have the Fathom model with Amber lenses.

kbhere do you think that the amber lens are the way to go or the vermillion lens are they to dark . are you happy with the amber lens kb

KB,

I have never used the Vermillion lenses, so I don't know how they compare to the Ambers. However, I am 100% satisfied with the Amber lenses. I have caught some fish this year off their beds that I would not have even seen without them on.

I have the vermillion and personally think they are too dark.