Whether you're headed out for a 3-dayer on the open water, catching the sunrise on your local lake, or packing up for a river trip, there's a few things to consider before you choose the best lens color for fishing. Acknowledging your environment, lighting conditions, and even weather can help you select a lens that will transform your fishing sunglasses from an afterthought to a performance-enhancing tool. Stick around to find out how the best lens color for fishing pertains to your unique experience!
Best Lens Color for Fishing
1. Neutral
2. Contrast-Enhancing
3. Low-Light
4. Mirror Coating
4.1. Blue Mirror
4.2. Green Mirror
Neutral
Gray lenses are best for offshore fishing where the sun is hot and intense because they offer the most protection. Rather than being a high-contrast lens, a gray tint doesn't change color perception and allows you to see true-to-world color instead. If you're headed to open waters and need to prioritize light-blocking over color enhancement, gray is the best lens for fishing.
Maui Jim Kanaio Coast in Matte Soft Black with Gray Lenses
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Contrast-Enhancing
Copper, rose, and brown tints are your high-contrast lenses. Ideal for inshore fishing where you need to spot and track fish, these lenses boost contrast to better define color in flats, beds, and shallow water. They're still protective, but not so dark that they can't transition between sunny and cloudy weather.
Costa Montauk in Matte Black Ultra with 580 Copper lens
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Low-Light
While we don't often get requests for low-light fishing sunglasses, we certainly have options for anyone who wants them! Low-light lenses often have a yellow, copper, or amber base to help reduce blue light and brighten your environment when you're out at dawn, dusk, or a particularly overcast day. For instance, Costa uses their Sunrise Silver mirror, Maui Jim has an HT (high transmission) lens, and Kaenon has several combinations of yellow and copper bases with silver mirrors to maximize light transmission.
For a customized consultation with a Sports Optician, simply give us a call and we'll help you find exactly what you need.
Costa Reefton in Blackout with 580G Sunrise Silver Lenses
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Mirror Coating
Mirror coatings are applied to the front side of the lens to reflect light and provide even more sun protection.
Blue Mirror
Applying a blue mirror to your lens is perfect for deep sea fishing because it works overtime to block harsh light trying to get in from all angles. You have several options for a blue mirror, like Oakley's PRIZM Deep Water that utilizes a rose base and a blue mirror, or others like Costa and SMITH, that use a gray base with a blue mirror. Check out our PRIZM Deep Water lens review here.
Costa Rinconcito in Matte Black with 580P Blue Mirror Lenses
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Green Mirror
A green mirror applied to a high-contrast lens enhances your vision even further for inshore, sight fishing. It bleaches out brown, dirty water and enhances the greens to make it easier to spot fish. For instance, Costa does this by using a copper lens with a green mirror to boost contrast and illuminate your field of vision.
Costa Tuna Alley in Blackout with Green Mirror 580G Lenses
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Prescription Fishing Sunglasses Online at SportRx
Need prescription fishing sunglasses? Done. When you shop with us, you’ll find video guides and tooltips throughout the build process as you customize the perfect pair. An answer to all your questions is at your fingertips, and if you want to chat with an expert, Contact Us. We’ll put you in touch with one of our friendly in-house opticians who can help you build your prescription fishing sunglasses.
Ditch risky online shopping with the See Better Guarantee. Try your sunglasses for 45 days. If you’re not satisfied, send them back. Get a full refund, exchange, or credit towards a better pair. And return shipping? Covered. Get your pair of prescription fishing sunglasses at SportRx today!
Sounds like you're in need of a customized pair of fly fishing sunglasses. We can help you find that pair! Give us a call at 888.831.5817 or Contact Us to speak with one of our customer service opticians with your prescription handy. With that information, you will get the best recommendations so you can go fly fishing without a care in the world.
Have a great day