X-Ray Specs For Fishing

[Troutdude]

After years of wearing prescription glasses I am finally biting the bullet and having Lasik surgery tomorrow. No longer will I have to wear those cruddy clip on polarized sunglasses, time to get a great pair of X-ray specs! The last pair of good non prescription polarized shades I owned were Action Optics, which I loved. However, that was well over a decade ago. What type of specs would you purchase and why? I will be primarily be using them on trout streams/rivers and in the Boundary Waters.

[Zach Bearden]

Alright, do you want to be able to see to the bone or just through the clothes??

I like my Smith Optics. They have a nice color range to choose from and the frames don't get annnoying after just a couple hours. I can wear mine all day long with no problem. So I would recommend them. As for seeing fish and structure in the water, I believe that is mainly experience. Which from what you say, you have plenty of experience on the water.

[Walleyedmike]

I wear polarized Oakley Half Jackets. I really like 'em, in fact I'm on my second pair after losing the first pair to Stockton Lake a few years ago.

WM

[kevthebassman]

If you're like me and had to use a 12 pack cooler as a football helmet as a kid because your head was so dang big, the Oakleys are going to be too small. Maui Jims are awesome sunglasses.

[Dutch]

For a different reason I too am looking in that direction. One that keep popping up is Costa Del Mar. I haven't seen them yet but have heard nothing but good about them.

[snagged in outlet 3]

I'm with Kevin, large noggin. Love my Maui Jims.

Pete

[Trout Commander]

For a different reason I too am looking in that direction. One that keep popping up is Costa Del Mar. I haven't seen them yet but have heard nothing but good about them.

I tried out a pair of Costas that were one of the deckhands on an offshore trip last year. They were amazing. They obviously put my $15 Berkleys to shame but what impressed me was how much better they "worked" than the other deckhands Oakley glasses. Since they were used on the big water he had the blue mirror glass lenses but IIRC the green mirror, silver mirror and copper options are best suited for sight and stream fishing. Also I would definitely go with glass or polycarbonate lenses (there is a whole 'nother thread on that topic alone around here somewhere). I have heard that you do have to watchout for the quality of Costas that are produced in China. I believe I read that in multiple reviews on Steep and Cheapwhich runs some pretty good deals on Costas, but all I have personally seen listed originated in China. If and when I have the coin I will probably go with a pair of Costas, unless I find a super deal on a pair of Smiths, which I haven't heard an ill word of either.

Hope this helps more than it confuses

[Gavin]

Depends on what you want...I like glass lenses better, just a bit sharper and they offer more scratch resistance than the polycarbonate lenses. Polycarbonates offer better impact resistance and lighter weight..If you do a bit of shooting, I'd consider the the polycarbs. I like a copper colored lens as a good all arounder.Smith (formerly Action Optics) makes some great glasses, but any of the better brands should work. Cheers.

[ness]

I really like my Smith photochromic copper ones. They're not too dark, and lighten up some when you're in the shade -- which is a lot of the time when I'm trout fishing. Agree with Gavin -- the glass ones are extremely crisp and scratch resistant. I've had them about 10 years, and even had the frame replaced once (no charge). Since I got them (they're prescription) I've had to go to bifocals, so at some point I'll pop for a new pair. Big head here too.

[EddieRay]

I use prescription Maui Jim sunglasses for fishing. I'm farsighted and can see very good for distance but I need prescription glasses for reading, computer work, and tying knots.