Despite what you might hear about the weather in Northern Ohio we do have a lot of bright, sunny fishing days on Lake Erie.
That's why I always encourage my customers to bring dark, polarized sunglasses with them on their charter. Without them, a fisherman likely will end the day with a gigantic headache caused by squinting all day.
According to eye doctors, polarized lenses contain filters that reduce glare from reflected light.
Thanks to the invasion of zebra mussels a decade ago the lake's water generally is pretty clear most of the time. So trust me when I say that the glare can be pretty intense. So don't forget the sunscreen either.
Doctors say non-polarized sunglasses only reduce the amount of light entering the eye without solving glare problems.
Eliminating surface glare allows an angler's vision to penetrate the water and distinguish otherwise hidden objects such as the fish you may be attempting to coax into the net.
That's a neat sight when you are bringing in a big fish. Flyfishermen also love polarized sunglasses because they allow the anglers to see trout coming to their fly.
But don't get the wrong idea. Polarized glasses do not give the user Superman's X-ray-vision powers: Fish and structure will remain unseen in cloudy water no
Fisherman who complain of eye fatigue and
headaches after a long day in the bright sun are most likely feeling the effects of excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.
The same UV rays that cause sunburn can also inflict damage on the eye. High-quality, polarized optics offer more than mere respite for squinting eyes; they also provide protection from invisible hazards by blocking UV light.
Because the reflected light can be extremely bright I recommend having at least two different pair of polarized sunglasses, one tinted a dark shade and the other tinted lighter for those cloudy-bright days.
The wrap-around style is perfect for fishing because it give protection for the entire field of vision. Out there on the lake, reflected light can hit you from all directions.
How much you pay for your sunglasses is up to the individual. I've purchased polarized shades at Walmart for around $12 and was satisified. But the last few years I have been getting my sunglasses at West Marine.
Their brands are especially made for boating so the lenses and frames are made to get tossed around. A good pair will cost around $40, but you can buy them on sale and save.matter what type of glasses you wear.