What color polarization is best for fishing

As a fisherman, you know that having the right pair of fishing sunglasses can make a big difference out on the water.

Most anglers know they should be using polarized lenses...

...But when you're trying to pick your next pair of sunglasses, it's also important to consider what lens colors will work best for your needs.

Choosing the right lens color for your fishing sunglasses allows you to see deeper into the water allowing you to notice important indicators such as weed beds, drop-offs, logs, and even spot fish; giving you a huge advantage over the competition.

Is there a "best" lens color for fishing sunglasses?

The short answer is no. 

The best lens color is based on the type of fishing you're doing and the current conditions.

Fly fishing on cloudy days and ocean fishing on bright sunny days are very different situations. You need to pick the right polarized sunglasses for the job.

So, if you're ready to catch more fish...

Let's dive into our guide on how to choose the best lens color for your polarized fishing sunglasses. 

The Ultimate Lens Color Guide

Blue Mirror Lenses

When To Use?

Blue mirror lenses are the best choice for offshore and deep-sea fishing. 

If you're out in the ocean, facing heavy sun and glare, and need maximum protection - you should be reaching for your sunglasses with blue mirror lenses.

The blue mirrored lens matches the color of the deep ocean water which reflects more of the light away from your eyes, helping to cut glare and reduce eye strain.

This dramatically reduces eye fatigue and allows for better contrast and visual clarity on the open water.

And since fishing is often done in uncovered, bright conditions on the water...

Blue mirror has become one of the most popular lens colors for many anglers.

• Provide maximum protection
• Reduce eye strain & fatigue
• Increased clarity and contrast
  

Green mirror lenses

When To Use?

Green mirror lenses are the best choice when you're fishing inshore or flats. 

Green mirror lenses provide minimal color distortion and enhanced contrast. So, they can brighten shadows while minimizing glare. A great lens color for sight fishing.

Another advantage is they are effective when it's sunny or cloudy. So, when the clouds decide to come out, you still get great contrast and clear vision.

Finally, they can help spot green objects under the water such as weed beds (or bass!) - which can be very useful in brown or shallow water.   

• Minimal Color Distortion
• Enhanced Contrast
  
• Spotting Green Objects

Orange mirror lenses

When To Use?

Orange mirror lenses are good for lower light fishing around dawn and dusk, but still effective in brighter conditions.

The orange mirror lens helps block more of the orange light often seen in the early morning or late evenings, allowing for better contrast and clearer vision at these times.

Since they have a mirror coating, they will provide more protection from glare than a pure amber or yellow lens and can still be effective even in brighter conditions (but less so than the blue or green lens colors).

Since they are not as dark as some of the other lenses options, they are a good choice in cloudy or dim conditions. 

• Clearer Vision When It's Dim
• Better Contrast When It's Dim
  
• Versatile

GrAy lenses

When To Use?

Gray lenses are the classic. All around good choice for a variety of conditions. 

There is a reason grey lenses are one of the most popular sunglasses for fishing, it's because they are extremely versatile.

They work well in bright conditions to help minimize eye strain and fatigue, but can still be used in slightly dimmer conditions so they are perfect for variable weather.

And since they filter all colors equally, they allow for accurate color perception.

Choose grey lenses for your sunglasses when you're not sure what conditions you might be facing. 

• Accurate Color Perception
• Minimize Eye-Strain 
  
• Minimize Eye Fatigue

amber lenses

When To Use?

Amber lenses are best for sight fishing in shallow water and lower light conditions. 

Amber (or copper) lenses block out blue light and are excellent for increasing contrast and improving depth perception.

This makes them the perfect color for sight fishing, whether it be inshore, flats, rivers, or streams.

They can be especially useful for water bodies with brown bottoms or muddy water as they provide maximum contrast and make it easier to spot fish.

This applies to any sunglasses lens colors within the brown range, not just amber or copper lenses.

Although they provide adequate protection for brighter conditions, they work best in dim or overcast conditions because they have higher light transmission.

So if you're looking to do some sight fishing, or are fishing the shallows under dimmer conditions - grab a pair of fishing sunglasses with amber or copper lenses.

• Best At Increasing Contrast
• Improved Depth Perception
• Work In Sunny Or Cloudy Conditions

photochromic lenses

When To Use?

The best choice for low light and variable conditions. 

Photochromic lenses change tint based on the conditions, darkening up when there is more light.

These are some of the best low light lenses when you still want the advantage of polarized lenses, but don't need as much protection from the sun.

Some anglers prefer yellow lenses for extremely dim conditions while fishing, but we prefer to use these adaptive lenses that can be used in more situations.

This way you get the benefit of using polarized sunglasses, but without dulling your vision (with darker lenses) or compromising your color perception (with yellow lenses).

Since they darken to provide more protection when the sun comes out, they are the right sunglasses to use in variable or low light conditions.

• Accurate Color Perception
• Adapt To Current Conditions
• Excellent In Darker Conditions

That covers it

We hope these tips have helped give you some ideas on what lens colors to consider for your next pair of fishing sunglasses.

...Because fishing isn't just about catching fish; it's also about observing and understanding their behavior to catch them more effectively.

With the right fishing sunglasses, you can see deeper into the water with increased contrast and clarity.

This gives you a huge advantage in spotting fish or important indicators such as weed beds, drop-offs, and logs where they like to hang out.

Most fishermen know they should be wearing polarized sunglasses, but not all fishermen know what lens colors should be used to give them the biggest advantage.

If you want a good pair of sunglasses that allow you to see deeper into the water while still protecting from harmful UV rays... 

If you don't want to settle for just ONE set of lenses in your glasses. Check out our sunglasses kit which include FOUR sets of interchangeable lenses!

Fishing Sunglasses Lens Guide

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