Northwest Fishing Reports

I have perscription eye glasses and have a set of sunglasses that just happened to be polarized. Or so I they are supposed to be. I hear that people can see the fish quite well with these on, and at a distance too. I don't see them that much better. I'm guessing it is likely because they are pretty dark sunglasses.

What kind of sunglasses do you use for fishing, and how dark?

I have strike kings. They arnt too expensive, so they dont work like some of the $200 pairs that are out there. Mine are just as dark as sun glasses. Thats what they pretty much are for me, I use them while driving or just anytime Im in the sun. Then when Im at the lake they give me the added bonus of being able to see a little further into the water. I have another pair, somewhere, that came from walmart. They were even cheaper, but they came in camouflage, so I had to buy them. The entire lens is in camo, they worked pretty well but a little too dark, so I didnt want to drive with them. The way to go is the polarized safety goggles. I have read articles of people wearing prescription polarized glasses. Pretty scary stuff. One man had his bass plug stuck in some weeds, when it came out it flew back and smacked him in the face, shattering his glasses a permanently blinding him. They other one was a turkey hunter. One of the pellets (he was using magnum pheasant shot, not sure was he wasnt using turky loads) ricochet and went through his glasses. No glass got in his eye but the pellet did, he put a patch on it and kept hunting. He ended up dieing that night because the pellet hit vein or something and he bled to death. Very scary stuff, when in the process of doing something you love something so simple could end your life, change your life very drastically.

I'm cursed with glasses too. I use Oakley Oil Drums for my main sun glasses. They came from Martin's Fine Eye Wear at Northwest Hospital in Northgate. The most awesome sunglasses I've ever owned, the most awesome glasses period. Martin's has Oakley make the lenses (very important). Instead of grinding lenses like manufactures do they cast their "Plutonite" lenses in the Rx. I go with the sort of brown polarized. I can see everything! I got the Oil Drums because they have huge lenses and I sneak a pair of the stick on cheaters right at the bottom so they don't get in the way unless I'm tying a knot or something. They have smaller styles if you don't need the cheaters. Never get sunglasses in bifocal. They bastardize the grind of the primary lens. We do 99% of our looking at a distance when fishing.
For backup I have a pair of the "fit over" Cocoons, they're almost as good. The reason you probably have trouble seeing with your prescription sunglasses is they're made on regular glasses frames. Too much light gets in and around the edges and sides creating glare. Try a pair of the cheap polarized "fit overs" you won't believe the difference, then go for a good pair. Money well spent.
try these, cheap.
http://www.fitovers.com/

I don't wear prescription glasses, however I do wear polarized sunglasses. Mine are Costa Del Mar sunglasses with ground glass polarized lenses. They are the best sunglasses I have ever worn. The lenses are truely polarized. I bought them for reducing glare on the water. They do add visibility in the water. The price I paid is high($149.00), but having them now 7 years I can't complain. Here is the link to retailers in your area that can make up Costa Del Mar prescription sunglasses:

http://www.costadelmar.com/aidStation/d ... mit=Submit

My only caution is many of the dispensing shops will use their favorite lens grinding shops. That means you bought an expensive pair of frames. My last pair for shades were in the 400 neighborhood. Specialty eye wear should come from special manufactures not the lens grider down the street. As far as off the shelf sunglasses there are many very nice ones, if you can use them. When it comes to lenses made for your eyes you want the state of the art. Oakley is the most technologicaly advanced sport optics company bar none. Each of their lenses are cast to the Rx with the sheet of polaroid material in the center for zero distortion. All other lenses are laminated with two sheets of glass, polycarb or what ever on either side of the polarized layer, it usually gets bent in the process which means distortion at some level. Basicaly they're glued together. This is alright for off the shelf glasses but unacceptable for prescription eyeware.
If you are after prescription eyewear be very discriminating and make sure you are getting the best. That's why I don't hesitate to recommend Martins Fine Eye Wear. They will fit you with the best glasses available from the most respected manufactures. Don at Martins is a heck of a guy and he makes glasses for many many doctors, a lot of whom are ophthalmologists and they are the pickest sons of guns you will ever meet.

I'm a prescription eyeglasses guy as well. I wear a pair of Serengetti frames w/ polarized lenses tinted in nearly the same color as the non-prescription Serengetti's. They are perfect for all manner of watersports and don't make you look like you are preparing to be shot out of a cannon (sorry, not a fan of most Oakley's.) I picked mine up at LensCrafters for ~$400 total; lenses & frames.

I know the feeling but I said to myself.... If bono can do it I can to! Maybe I'll be in an Ipod commercial some day.
Realy got the big lenses so I can sneak in the Bifocals.