A pair of quality polarized sunglasses is a must for any angler or anyone who enjoys time on the water. There are many benefits of good sunglasses, and they can also help you catch more fish, allowing you to see more of what is under the surface, either by visually looking or watching your electronics.
There are many good options for sunglasses, and deciding on the right pair comes down to personal preference and one's style. Add in the fact that there are so many frame styles and lens colors to choose from, and the options and combinations are endless, so four top-level professional bass anglers weighed in on their favorite sunglass frames, lenses, and why.
Elite Series Pro Trey McKinney
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Nippers in Blue Mirror and Rose Mirror
Trey McKinney burst onto the national scene last season with an excellent rookie year on the Elite Series, including winning the tournament on Lake Fork in Texas. He's been "the next big thing" for several years as he dominated the lower levels of tournament fishing. He's been a Bajío sunglass wearer for a few years and says his favorite frame style is the Nippers because of how well they fit his face.
He says it's either a rose or a blue mirror for lenses. "I love the blue mirror because of how well it protects my eyes in the bright sunlight," he said. "The rose mirror is also great and makes my electronics screens pop, so I don't miss anything. But every color I've worn has been great, and you can't beat the clarity and quality of the lenses from Bajío."
A good pair of sunglasses is a must; thankfully, there are some great options. Everything from the frame design, lens color, and lens material are choices anglers must make when purchasing their next pair, and there are no bad choices; it just comes down to preference, style, and how you plan to use them. The four professional anglers above, who all make their living on the water, have settled on Bajío frames and lenses that work perfectly for them.
Bass Pro Tour angler Drew Gill
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Toads Frames with Green Mirror Lenses
Illinois pro Drew Gill has quickly made a name for himself as a force to be reckoned with everywhere he competes, with several wins and many Top 10 finishes in his short pro career. He's a technical angler and electronics wizard, and every piece of his equipment and approach is well thought out, including his sunglasses.
Gill selects the green mirror lenses because they allow him to see everything clearly in all conditions. He feels that they offer the best combination of brightness and work just fine on the sunniest days. He also selects frames that fit his style.
"For me, it's all about style and comfort as well as performance. That's why I like the Toads frames," he said. "I'm an aesthetics guy regarding sunglasses, and they fit the bill perfectly."
Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Bill Lowen
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Vega Frames with Rose Mirror or Copper Lenses
Elite Series veteran Bill Lowen has been fishing at the top level for many years and has seen the quality of fishing sunglasses grow exponentially. They've gotten much more technical over the years and are also a huge quality improvement. He's a big fan of the Bajío Vega frames and prefers the glass lenses instead of the polycarbonate versions also offered in these sunglasses.
"I prefer a glass lens, and what I like about Bajío is how lightweight they are. They are also very clear and crisp," said Lowen. "For lens colors, I like the rose mirror and copper. Those two colors will perform for me in any weather condition that I'm faced with."
Bass Pro Tour angler Jake Lawrence
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Palometa Frames with Rose Mirror Lenses
BPT rookie Jake Lawrence has already won a tour-level event this year after tearing up the path to the big leagues with several wins. He's a noted electronics guru, but he's a versatile angler who relies on his sunglasses to see his screens and also what's going on around him. He prefers the rose mirror lens color for its versatility.
"My favorite frames are the Palometa with the rose mirror lenses," he said. "That particular color is on the lighter end of the spectrum, but they are dark enough to wear on a sunny day."
He also likes this lens tint because of how everything looks on his electronics. "That color handles the glare on the screen very well," he said. "In today's world of bass fishing, that's really important. I also like how light the frames are, which makes it easy to wear them all day long."
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