04/01/2026
Whether you take up fishing because of your love of the outdoors or you just need to get away from your routine, there are a multitude of reasons to get out on the water. Nothing beats a good day of fishing with friends or family. It benefits you mentally and physically by lowering stress levels, improving cardiovascular health and having a great excuse to travel. Fishing requires some patience and long hours out in nature, and with the right pair of sunglasses, you can be comfortable under the sun for as long as it takes to hook your next big catch or spin a story of how it got away.
Here are the top 4 characteristics of a good pair of fishing sunglasses:
UV Protection
UV protection is an important factor to consider when it comes to choosing any pair of sunglasses, but it’s especially crucial if you’re going to be spending long hours in the sun patiently waiting for a nibble. Guarding against UV rays not only prevents strained eyes, headaches, and squinting, but also defends against eye damage that can lead to temporary—and in rare cases even permanent—visual impairments. Ideally, your lens should be rated for 100% protection against UVA and UVB rays. The backside of the lens should also be coated with an anti-reflective treatment to ensure that the harmful rays aren’t reflecting off the back of your lens and into your eyes.
Frame Size and Shape
The best glasses for water sports share some essential functional features that allow fishing and marine enthusiasts to thoroughly enjoy their time on the water.
Snug fit to minimize gaps between your face and the sunglasses
Extra-wide temples to reduce side-glare
Full nylon or grllamid frames for lightweight durability
Rubber on temples and/or nose bridges for added stability and grip
Anti-corrosive hardware for long lasting performance
Polarization
No fishing sunglasses would be complete without the glare-blocking technology of a polarized lens. Polarized sunglasses block the sun’s reflection off the water, which can hinder your vision and at times even be blinding. With Maui Jim’s PolarizedPlus2® technology, you’ll not only protect your eyes from UV rays and glaring lights, but you will experience truer colors and see more clearly, so you’ll know exactly what’s happening below the surface.
Lens Cut and Color
When it comes to eye protection around water, bigger is better. Large lenses that cover and curve around the eye do a better job of blocking damaging rays and protecting sensitive skin around the eyes. The color of your lens may also give unique advantages based on your fishing habits. For deep sea fishing and sunny days, the Neutral Grey is a great color choice. This tint offers the highest available light reduction and the best clarity for deeper waters. If you’re a fly fisher or spend your time in the shallower waters, the Maui Jim HCL® Bronze shade offers the least amount of color distortion and the greatest amount of contrast so you can view what’s happening below the river current. If it’s early morning and the natural light is low, you’ll still need a good pair of sunglasses to block the glare of the water’s surface but won’t want a dark lens that will filter out too much light. We recommend Maui HT for low light – it allows in the most usable light and offers more contrast and color for time when you want a brighter view.
When it comes to finding high-quality fishing sunglasses, take the time to research each lens and make sure they are going to offer you the color, clarity, detail, and protection you need to fully enjoy your time with the rod and reel. B
