I'm transitioning from my polarized prescription glasses to contacts. It's been years since I've bought over the counter fishing glasses. I used Costa before but not sure they're the best. Any suggestions on what's in the market now?

Ok's have new fishing specific glasses and also offer them in prescriptions to dodge the contacts while fishing. Costas still really good as well. I don't know if you are like me but I fish a lot and loose or break a lot of eyewear. I have found I can get comparable eye ware in the $20-$30 range that long before the lenses get scratched I have lost or broke them. As well as I have enough left over for several different frame and lens styles. Seeing fish still takes a certain eye no telling how many times I have been tying to point fish out to a buddy that is wearing high dollar glasses and finally have to tap the fish with my rod to prove it's a fish. So to me I put them on until I find the pair that has the best clarity because that is what matters to me.

Hatch Magazine did some extensive reviews on all the top glasses out there - Every year the same lens wins: Smith Optics Polarchromic Copper Mirror. I have two pairs of these and they are far and away the best glasses I have ever worn. They have amazing optical clarity, and also transition so you can wear them earlier in the mornings and later in the evenings (prime fishing times).


Orvis has them in stores if you want to try them on.

http://www.hatchmag.com/articles/best-fishing-sunglasses-2013-part-one/7711124

http://www.hatchmag.com/articles/best-fishing-sunglasses-2013-part-two/7711132

Another thing I like about them are that they are glass - meaning they are way more scratch resistant than polycarbonate, also why they have better clarity. They are also very reasonably priced when you compare them to other big names (like Costa). The fist pair I bought was around 3 years ago and I wear them as my everyday sunglasses - Still not a single scratch on the lenses.

The only con I have found so far is that having glass is heavier - You know they are on your face, and taking them off after a long day on the water is a relief. But I will happily take that when I can see fish that other fisherman can't.

One thing I have found in sunglasses is you get what you pay for. I have had multiple pairs of Costa's over the years (Some lost to a yellow lab confusing it for her toy) and have wanted to venture off and try something new, but I always come back. My favorites have been the Harpoons with 580g lenses.

Thanks for the info! I'll make it by Plano Ben's place and check out the smith optics. I need to check on my waders anyway.

If you don't want costa's then I suggest a paire of smith sunglasses with their chromapop lenses.

Text me and let me know what glasses you buy. I am looking for a pair! Btw, when you free?

I've probably been through close to a dozen pairs of Costa's by now. They never question my warranty replacements for cracked, bent, smashed to smithereens, etc. Very loyal. Interested in reading about the Smith Optics though. Tried on the Chroma Pop and was impressed.

Beware of the Chromapop lenses - The plastic lenses spiderweb when exposed to large amounts of heat and it makes them cloudy. I left mine on my dashboard one day and they were ruined. Smith replaces them for free (they said it's a known issue they are working to resolve), but come on, this is Texas. I had them exchange them for another pair of Polarchromics with a different color frame.

Oh darn, they are plastic? I don't find real glass to be heavy at all.
I inevitably scratch the heck out of any "scratch resistant"
lens about 5 minutes after I buy them.

So there are 3 lenses Smith sells. Polarized (plastic), Chromapop (plastic), and Polarchromic (glass).

The only one I recommend is the Polarchromic Glass. And the Copper Mirror finish is the best overall lens for fishing.

I don't find mine heavy per se. They are just heavier than plastic.

So these are the ones that change color depending on light levels?

For my money, I haven't found anything that beats Maui Jims. They are the only glasses I've ever been able to wear literally all day long. They are so light and secure to your head you forget they are on. I've had several different frame styles, but the Lighthouse frame has been my favorite.

Correct, the Polarchromic lenses are transitional.

I just left Bass Pro in Garland and they just started carrying Smith Optics. They didn't know much about them and said a rep. from Smith was scheduled to do training at their store soon. The Didn't have anything in stock with the Polarchromic lenses but had some Chromapop.