A guide to the best polarised sunglasses for fishing

See more, catch more. These are the best polarised sunglasses for spotting fish in all conditions.

polarised sunglasses for fishing

by Jonathan Longden |
Updated on

Spotting fish is a massive part of angling and being able to see what’s actually going on beneath the surface offers a massive advantage. The best polarised sunglasses for fishing strip away the surface glare, letting you peer into the water with far more clarity. Whether you’re scanning for cruising carp, looking for barbel navigating between weedbeds or simply shielding your eyes from the effects of harmful UV rays, the right pair can make all the difference.

Lens choice is more important than many anglers realise, and considering light levels must influence your lens of choice. On dull, overcast days or in coloured water, amber or brown lenses boost contrast and help fish stand out, but when the sun’s blazing and the water’s gin-clear, green or blue lenses can cut through the brightness and reveal every detail below.

Best polarised sunglasses for fishing at a glance

Ultimately, picking fishing sunglasses comes down to personal preference. Most decent polarised models will do the job, but comfort, fit, and style all play their part. If you wear prescription glasses, it’s worth asking your optician about adding polarised lenses to your everyday specs or looking at ‘overwrap’ designs that fit neatly over the top.

Here’s our guide to the best polarised sunglasses for fishing right now tried, tested, and ready to help you see more and catch more.

Best fishing sunglasses

When you’re sight-fishing, the difference between guessing and knowing what you're looking at often comes down to your eyewear. The Costa Del Mar Fantail sunglasses are built for anglers who demand the best, delivering industry-leading polarisation to cut glare and give you a crystal-clear view beneath the surface.

The 580G (glass) and 580P (polycarbonate) lenses are Costa’s premium option, renowned for their razor-sharp clarity and superior scratch resistance. They don’t just reduce glare they make it disappear, letting you spot cruising carp, lurking predators or fish holding tight to features with ease. This makes them perfect for mugging fish cruising on the surface, targeting them on floaters, or lure fishing for species like bass.

With lens and frame options to suit your preference, you can choose a camo frame style for a stealthy look, a tortoiseshell for a old school look, or a simple black frame suited more to match fishing or lure fishing. The glass lens option is slightly more expensive as it offers even more clarity over the polycarbonate option.

Pros

  • Premium sunglasses with premium performance
  • Choice of frame, lens material and lens colour

Cons

  • Won't suit everyone's budget 

Best budget fishing sunglasses

Fortis Wraps have been designed to fit perfectly around the face and eliminate unwanted light penetrating from the side. We have to say, for the price it is clear to see why these glasses are so popular as nothing comes close to them for quality, they are durable, comfortable and do exactly what you want sunglasses to do!

Choose between an amber lens for low light conditions perfect to wear just as the sun starts to rise or as it starts to fade or the brown lens which is far better suited for all day wear. The arms have rubber inserts to prevent the wraps from slipping off your face and ending up in the water. The glasses or also very lightweight, so much so I have been prone to them dropping off my head and not even realising, until it is too late.

The unique vent system at the top increases airflow and prevents mist/fog build-up if you get a bit of a sweat on, useful on hot days or when lugging the gear to the bank.

Pros

  • Don't mist up like other glasses
  • Multiple lens colours available

Cons

  • The rubberised sections are prone to falling off after prologned use
Lenses available:Brown, Amber and Switch

Most versatile fishing sunglasses

Originally built for the demands of cycling, the Madison Target sunglasses offer high-spec performance that makes them perfectly suited to fishing. With a high base curve for wraparound protection and a casual, stylish look which are available in a black or camo frame.

The polarised lenses strip away glare on the waters surface, making it easier to pick out cruising carp, spot subtle signs of barbel navigating between weedbeds or keep your float in sharp focus in bright conditions. Enhanced contrast and colour vibrancy mean you’ll see more and catch or as a result.

These aren’t just for bright sunny days either. The Target comes with three interchangeable lenses to match the light conditions. Lenses supplied are a Cat. 3 tinted lens which are perfect for bright sunny conditions, a Cat. 3 bronze mirror lens for medium light where a lot of the sunlight is diffused by clouds, and Cat. 1 yellow lens for those dull overcast or low-light dawn and dusk sessions. All are impact and scratch-resistant, with UV-A and UV-B protection to keep your eyes safe.

Pros

  • Supplied with 3 interchangable lenses
  • Suited for all light conditions

Cons

  • The extra lenses can fall out in incredibly hot conditions, but do come with Lifetime Warranty 

Best value fishing sunglasses

One More Cast Peekaboo Sunglasses
Price: $39.99

If you are going to make the effort to walk around your local pit or down the riverbank, the last thing you want to do is miss opportunities because you can't see them. The One More Cast Peekaboo sunglasses are built to aid you visibility and fish-finding abilities, with premium polarising lenses that slice through surface shine and reveal what’s going on below.

Whether you’re stalking carp from the margins or roving along the river trying to spot some chub, you’ll pick up movement and detail you’d otherwise miss, and the more chances you create, the more fish you will catch over the season.

The Splash Camo frame is lightweight, comfortable for all-day wear, and tough enough to handle some abuse, ideal for fishing. Supplied in a Splash Camo hard case for protection and, in true OMC style, the lens cloth maintains the 'carpy' aesthetic.

Pros

  • Stylish 'Splash Camo' finish
  • Great polarising lenses

Cons

  • Only one colour lens available 
Lenses available:Grey

Best match fishing sunglasses

In match fishing, seeing what’s happening is half the battle, and on hot days when every fish counts, the Guru Amplify sunglasses will ensure you are aware of every fish in your swim. Built to help spot carp as they drift into range or keeping your float visible in bright conditions, they are a match anglers best friend.

The polarised lenses strip away surface glare, and are particularly suited to the more turbid water conditions you are likely to find at match venues where some glasses struggle. This makes it far easier to read the water and pick out subtle movements you’d otherwise miss. They also boost contrast and sharpen depth perception, so whether you’re mugging fish in open water or fishing tight to an island where the light is mottled by the trees, you will be able to see the fish you are targeting clearly.

Lightweight smoke grey frames keep them comfortable all day, and the UV protection means your eyes stay safe during long, bright matches. Durable and stylish, you could even wear them off the bank.

Pros

  • Stylish wrap around design
  • Lenses perform accross all light conditions

Cons

  • Aimed specifically at match anglers

Best fishing sunglasses for looking carpy

The Avid Carp See-Thru sunglasses combine a 'carpy', semi-transparent tortoiseshell style matte brown frame with impact-resistant TAC grey smoke lenses are fully polarised, so you'll have no trouble spotting what's going on in front of you!

With UV400 protection, your eyes stay fully shielded from harmful rays, making them ideal for long, bright days on the bank.

Lightweight and comfortable, the rectangular frame sits neatly without pinching, while the understated style works just as well off the water. Supplied with a protective hard case and Avid branded lanyard perfect so they don't fall into the water when stalking in the margins.

Pros

  • Look really 'carpy'
  • Strong frame design

Cons

  • Only available with one lens colour
Lenses available:Revo green

Best alternative fishing sunglasses

The Absolute Ascent Ice Blue Sunglasses from Preston Innovations are built for long days outside when the sun’s at its brightest. They don’t just look the part with their sharp, modern design they do the job too.

The ice blue lenses are made for bright conditions, cutting down glare and helping you see clearly whether you’re watching a float, staring at your tip, or just walking the bank. They’re lightweight and comfortable enough to wear all day, which is exactly what you want when the weather’s good and you’re not in a rush to pack up.

Pros

  • Strong and compact frame
  • Good in bright conditions

Cons

  • Not the most stylish look
Lenses available:Amber, brown

Best Overwrap Fishing Sunglasses

For anglers who wear prescription glasses, finding quality polarised eyewear can be a struggle and very expensive. The Fortis Overwrap sunglasses are built to solve that, designed to fit comfortably over your regular specs without compromising on performance and without the hideous price tag other brands command.

Perfect for all types of fishing, the polarised lenses strip away glare so you can see cruising fish, feeding spots, and subtle movements below the surface. They also block unwanted light creeping in from the sides, giving you a clearer, more focused view of the water. This also means both your hands are free to hold the rod as you won't feel the need to put a hand against your head to provide shade, a great addition to these glasses!

Comfort and practicality are built in. Soft rubber inserts on the arms stop them slipping, while the lightweight matte black frame means you can wear them all day without pressure points. A clever vent system at the top improves airflow and prevents the lenses from fogging when you get warm, a real bonus when you’re pushing a barrow or climbing a tree for a better vantage point.

Pros

  • Essential for those with prescription glasses
  • Variety of lenses

Cons

  • A little bulkier than non-wraps but still comfortable
Lenses available:Brown, Amber or Switch photochromic (colour changing)

What to look for in polarised fishing sunglasses

When looking for the best pair of fishing sunglasses there are a few things one should consider. It's likely these tools will be put through a fair bit of use and end up in situations on the bank where they could be broken, it is therefore vital the frames are strong and sturdy.

The lenses on the glasses need to be considered too. Are there multiple options available to suit a variety of conditions, or are they a good all-round colour regardless? Are these lenses interchangeable with potentially spares supplied? This may well be the difference between splashing out on multiple pairs of glasses or just one of the best. Also look at how the frame sits around the lens, are they secure, or could they easily fall out or be damaged?

The final considerations are comfort and looks. It's likely you will be wearing these for the majority of the warmer months and even in the winter. So they need to be comfortable on your nose and ears. The last thing you want is glasses that rub and cause irritation. Having glasses that look fantastic on your face but feel like torture is not the answer.

Glossary

Frames: The structure that holds the glass lenses in place and supports them on a person's head.

Lenses: A transparent substance, usually glass, often curved and coloured, allowing the user to see through clearly.

Polarised Lenses: Lenses that reduce light glare to limit eye straining. They can help anglers see deeper into clear waters.

Lanyard: A cord used to hang glasses from the user's neck or shoulder for easy transportation.

Wraps: Sunglasses that wrap around the head fully, providing peripheral vision benefits too.

Overwraps: Sunglasses designed to sit over regular prescription spectacles.

<strong>Frequently asked questions on fishing sunglasses</strong>

Is it worth buying fishing sunglasses if I have prescription glasses?

This will depend on the type of prescription you have. If you are short-sighted (can only see things clearly that are close to the eyes) you will need to get overwraps which sit on top of your standard glasses. Alternatively, look to get some prescription polarised sunglasses from your opticians. If you are long-sighted (struggle to see things clearly that are close to the eyes) a standard pair of fishing polarised sunglasses should suit you perfectly.

What colour polarising lenses are best for fishing?

When it comes to lens colour, grey is best on super-bright days, while yellow helps with contrast in low light conditions. Brown lenses are the all-rounder, making them the ideal choice if you only wish to buy one pair. Some anglers swear by blue or green, though, so it’s worth trying out a few pairs before parting with your cash.

Do polaroid sunglasses make a difference when fishing?

Yes, they make a huge difference to your fishing. Not only do they help reduce eye strain and retinal damage from UV rays, they also cut out glare so you can see beneath the surface of the water. The difference between wearing them and not isn't comparable, such are the improvements polarising sunglasses make to anglers!

Can you see fish better with polarising sunglasses?

You can definitely see fish better with polarising sunglasses, while it makes a huge difference in clear water, there are noticeable improvements when fishing in more coloured waters too. Basically if you are going fishing in brighter conditions, you 100% need to take a pair of sunglasses with you!

What colour lens is best for muddy/dirty water?

We would recommend a brown or green lens for these conditions as they help you distinguish different contrasts much more easily, which is what you will be trying to locate when the water is particularly dirty.

_Author Jonathan Longden, is an experienced angler. With over 20 years experience in the tackle trade specialising in match and coarse fishing he has an extensive practical knowledge of the latest equipment and the specific needs of anglers. He currently occupies the role of commercial content writer at Angling Times._

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