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Recreational fishing is always an excellent chance to spend the day outside. Notably, fishing for fun can be beneficial for us in so many ways including positive impacts on our mental health.
In a PLOS study on the health and well-being benefits gained from recreational fishing, 75% of respondents reported that fishing led to a positive state of mind and provided stress relief and clarity of mind. Fishing enthusiasts also benefit from the general fun and enjoyment of the activity, as well as a chance for socialization.
Aside from the mental health benefits, fishing can also impact your physical health. Like many other activities that are spent outdoors, fishing can lead to the occasional injury and even serious health conditions.
Over the years, there have been numerous studies on fishing-related eye injuries and conditions. In this post, we’ll look at an essential part of your fishing gear, protecting your eyes from accidents and general damage: sunglasses — and why you must wear them when out fishing:
Preparing for Open Water and Bright Conditions
When out daytime fishing, the sun can be a hindrance to your ability to catch fish. For one, the sunlight on the water’s surface produces a bright glare, making it hard for you to see your line, bait, or fish. This was a problem that normal sunglasses could not address.
One of today’s leading eyewear brands Costa del Mar capitalized on this problem in 1983 by producing a line of sunglasses that better suited anglers’ on-the-water adventures. Costa went on to produce products that allowed the angler’s eyes to adjust for situations where excessive glare impeded their performance on the water.
Other brands, including top sports eyewear maker Oakley, also contributed to better eyewear for anglers through design and innovation.
They pioneered a Shallow Water lens, available on many of their popular sunglasses models, that is not only polarized but also engineered to help you identify structures and drop-offs. The lenses also cut through glare in freshwater environments and help filter reflective glare on the water.
The Oakley lenses absorb 100% UV light, protecting your eyes from long-term damage, and can be found on popular models such as Frogskins and Split Shot. In addition to their eye protection and performance benefits, Oakleys are also versatile in terms of fit and aesthetics.
Newer entrants into the space, such as sunglasses and sportswear company Flying Fisherman, continue to give fishermen products that enhance their experience with cutting-edge offerings.
Flying Fisherman sunglasses are lightweight and use AcuTint® technology in their polarized lens coloring system to enhance color contrast without distorting natural colors. This helps sharpen visual acuity while eliminating glare so you can more easily spot fish under the surface.
Protecting Against Fishing Injuries
As mentioned in our introduction, fishing-related eye injuries may seem rare, but they can and do happen. In a case study from the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, an 11-year-old boy was struck in the right eye and injured by a barbed fish hook while fishing with friends. This was classified as a corneal penetration, and the report noted that safely removing the fish hook was challenging.
Aside from fish hooks, eye trauma can also happen as a result of lures and weights. Wearing a pair of sunglasses while fishing, then, provides not only protection from the sun but also the occasional — even if rare — fish hook accidents. At the very least, in case of a mishap, your sunglasses should take the brunt of the damage instead of your eyes.
Seeing More Fish
Finally, enjoying fishing as an activity often comes hand in hand with getting to catch fish. Unfortunately, because of external factors such as sunlight, glare, and overall bright conditions, it’s often challenging to see the fish in the water.
Polarized sunglasses can help increase visual contrast to help solve this problem. Polarization is a must for serious fishermen. They can often be the difference between an average day on the water and a spectacular day.
Ultimately, we must remember that having a pair of sunglasses with us when we are out fishing is not merely for comfort under the sun. Sunglasses also offer effective eye protection from harmful sunlight or, more precisely, UV light. Lastly, let’s not forget that sunglasses can save us from fishing-related injuries and potentially lasting eye damage.
Wearing a good pair means you can focus on your tackle and strategy and less on potential eye injuries. After all, fishing should be fun – and safe.
Here are some top recommendations for eye protection and performance on the water:
| Image | Brand | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Costa Del Mar Mens Fantail Rectangular Sunglasses, Blackout/Grey Blue Mirrored Polarized-580P, 59 mm | PrimeEligible | Buy on Amazon | |
 | HUK, Polarized Lens Eyewear with Performance Frames, Fishing, Sports & Outdoors Sunglasses Panto, (Challenge) Blue Mirror/Matte Black, Medium | PrimeEligible | Buy on Amazon | |
 | Bolle King 10998 Sunglasses Shiny Black | PrimeEligible | Buy on Amazon | |
Top | Costa Del Mar Mens Blackfin Round Sunglasses, Tortoise/Copper Green Mirrored Polarized-580G, 62 mm | PrimeEligible | Buy on Amazon | |
 | Bnus Yacht polarized sunglasses for men corning glass lens Driving Golf shades italy made (B7248-Black/G-15 Polarized, Glass lens) | PrimeEligible | Buy on Amazon | |
 | Tifosi Crit Polarized Sunglasses, Matte Smoke with Enliven Off-Shore Polarized lenses | PrimeEligible | Buy on Amazon | |
 | PELAGIC Fish Hook - Polarized Poly Lens Fishing Sunglasses | Prime | Buy on Amazon |
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