Amber Lenses vs. Black Lenses for Fishing

People who are serious about fishing are also serious about their gear. No detail is too small to be considered as long as it gives them an edge over the fish. This attention to detail even extends to eyewear. Sunglasses have become an essential piece of equipment for fishing. Lens color is important, and both amber and black lenses have their uses.

  1. Polarization

    • Regardless of the lens color being chosen, the first consideration has to be whether the lenses are polarized. Light that is reflected off flat surfaces, such as bodies of water, tends to create a glare. The light is not scattered, but rather focused horizontally. Polarized lenses block the horizontal light, giving the user a clearer, sharper image. Polarized lenses can make some tasks more difficult, but generally are helpful in outdoor sports activities.

    UV Protection

    • Any fishing lens should protect the eyes from both UV rays and HEV radiation. Lens color has no effect on these rays. UVA, UVB and UVC rays are associated with many kinds of eye damage. HEV rays, high-energy visible radiation, is thought to penetrate farther into the eye and cause retinal damage. Long hours in the sun, along with the water's glare, can make fishing hazardous for the eyes. Wraparound lenses will also help protect peripheral vision.

    Black Lenses

    • Black lenses cover a wide range of colors, encompassing grays, blacks and smokes. Dark lenses distort actual color less than other colors of lenses. However, very dark lenses can make images seem murky and dark. Dark lenses are best in bright sunlight conditions. They are also better for deep water fishing and enhance the visibility of dark fish underwater. Dark items will be more visible with dark sunglasses.

    Amber Lenses

    • Amber lenses have a slightly orange-reddish tint. They make it easier to see objects in shallow water. Amber and related color lenses, such as reds, oranges and vermillion, block blue lightwaves and provide better contrast than darker lenses. This makes them especially useful in overcast or lower light conditions. Amber lenses are suitable for a wide range of light conditions, but may not be sufficient in extremely bright sunlight. Color distortion is greater than with darker lenses.