Which Costa Sunglasses Are Best for Fishing?

We believe Costa Del Mar make the finest sunglasses for any fishing situation and are used and trusted by all of the Rok Max team. We have been fishing a very long time and have owned lots of fishing sunglasses, so know what’s good. We pitched some of the questions we regularly get asked about these glasses to an expert at Costa – here are the replies.

Selecting the Best Costa Sunglasses for Fishing

Why do I need specialist Sunglasses for my Saltwater Fishing?

The main differences between salt and freshwater conditions are the light conditions you will encounter and how the water surface reflects light back at you. When you’re out on the ocean surrounded by many acres of bright blue water and a blue horizon you need to block the greatest amount of reflective glare coming from the water possible. This is both for your comfort and to minimize the effects of harmful rays entering your eyes. A dark coloured lens such as blue or green mirror will maintain and enhance colour saturation and natural contrast, while offering maximum light protection in these conditions.

And freshwater?

In fresh water, you might be in and out of shade cover, staring into brown or green murky water, and you need more light to see the fish clearly. A copper lens is going to provide slightly more light than a darker lens. A specialty sunrise (silver mirror) lens is going to let the maximum amount of light in – this is ideal for early morning or late afternoon fishing.

What You See With Costa Sunglasses Off or On

Which Costa lenses would you recommend for fresh water?

Because freshwater fishing often involves peering into murky, dark water, perhaps in and out of shade cover from the trees, you need as much light as possible to see the fish more clearly. A copper-based lens allows more light to enter your eye, while Costa’s 580™ lens technology creates razor sharp colour enhancement – so anglers can make out the shapes under the water more clearly.

Is there a difference between stillwater and moving water visually?

It’s not so much the water as the light. Are the conditions sunny or overcast? Is the water crystal clear blue or brackish brown? You might spot fish easier in clear, moving water, but have a more difficult time in cloudy, still water. It really depends on the conditions, and the performance quality of your lens. You want something like a Costa 580 lens that’s going to enhance visual acuity.


Silver Sunrise Mirror
Silver Sunrise Mirror

Extended wear lens. The perfect tool for dusk and dawn performance.

  • 25% light transmission
Silver Sunrise Mirror Optimal Use
  • Activities during sunrise/sunset
  • Heightened contrast
  • Low light/overcast conditions

Copper Silver Mirror
Copper Silver Mirror

Well-suited for stream fishing and other environments with varying light.

  • Copper Base
  • 12% light transmission
Copper Silver Mirror
  • Excellent for sight fishing
  • Everyday activities
  • Most versatile
  • Cloudy days

Green Mirror
Green Mirror

Enhanced vision and contrast for fishing inshore and on flats.

  • Copper Base
  • 10% light transmission
Green Mirror
  • Sight fishing in full sun
  • High contrast

Copper
Copper

Cuts glare for eye comfort in a variety of situations, from sight fishing to driving.

  • 12% light transmission
Copper
  • Excellent for sight fishing
  • Everyday activities
  • Most versatile
  • Cloudy days

Grey Silver Mirror
Grey Silver Mirror

A good everyday choice for activities on the water and land.

  • Gray Base
  • 10% light transmission
Grey Silver Mirror
  • Everyday activities
  • Anti-fatigue
  • Overcast days
  • Reduces glare, especially off water

Grey
Grey

A good everyday choice for activities on the water and land.

  • 12% light transmission
Grey
  • All-around activities
  • Natural contrast

Blue Mirror
Blue Mirror

Best for bright, full-sun situations on the open water and offshore. 

  • Gray Base
  • 10% light transmission
Blue Mirror
  • Boating and fishing in deep water
  • Open reflective water
  • Harsh sun

When I’m fishing in saltwater, what are the main lens considerations, performance wise?

Salt is one of the most corrosive materials out there, and can be really abrasive on your sunglass lenses. From a performance standpoint, you want a hard coated, scratch resistant, 100 percent polarized lens able to withstand the elements, while allowing you to see more clearly.

Costa sunglasses are 100% polarized, blocking reflected glare from surfaces like water and windshields. This reduces eyestrain and enables wearers to see beneath the surface of water.

Costa’s 580 patented technology goes beyond 100% UV protection and 100% polarization to produce the clearest sunglass lenses on the planet. The lenses selectively filter harsh yellow and harmful high-energy blue light. Wearers immediately notice that colours (especially reds, blues and greens) are brighter and much clearer. Objects appear more defined. So much so that many describe Costa's 580 technology as comparable to when seeing high-definition TV for the first time.

Can you describe how difference lenses work with angling in shallow water vs. deep sea fishing?

When trolling we follow the general rules mentioned previously with lens colour choices and your water environment. These rules change when it comes with sight fishing, which involves being able to see fish in any water environment and present them with your fly, lure or bait. In these situations we recommend a copper-based lens for the absolute highest level of differentiation with minute detail below the water’s surface.

Costa Polarised Fishing Sunglasses

What’s the most dramatic technological development to help anglers see better?

Undoubtedly, Costa’s colour-enhancing 580™ lens is the most revolutionary lens technology developed to help anglers spot fish in the water more clearly. By cutting the yellow light, the other colours – reds, blues, greens – become sharper and more vivid. Anglers can spot fish in the water faster and more clearly as a result.

Is there a good all-around fishing lens for anyone that loves to be on or near the water, whether it be a lake, river, beach or ocean?

A polarized lens with 580 colour enhancing technology will provide the clearest vision for driving and other everyday activities. If someone isn’t specific about their fishing condition, lens colour choices sometimes do come down to personal preference.

Costa 580 Polarised Lens Technology

Superior clarity & Scratch-resistance

  • Glass Provides The Best Clarity In Material
  • Encapsulated Mirrors (Between Layers Of Glass) Are Scratch-Proof
  • 20% Thinner And 22% Lighter Than Average Polarized Glass

Lightweight, Impact-Resistant

  • Polycarbonate & are your lightest and most durable lens material options
  • C-WALL® is a molecular bond which is scratch-resistant

Thanks that was very helpful and informative – by the way, we love the new styles Costa keep giving us and the cool frames and lenses. Keep up the good work!

Allan Shephard
I've spent a big chunk of my life either fishing, talking about fishing, teaching fishing or working in the tackle trade. My hunger for ever more extreme and challenging fishing adventures continues to grow and can only be satisfied by a regular angling fix! I hold AAPGAI advanced instruction qualifications in single & double-handed fly-casting and have had articles published by some of the biggest UK fishing magazine titles. I consider myself very much an all-round angler. I have fished in over 20 countries worldwide for a variety of species in both fresh and saltwater. Advising people how to kit themselves out with tackle and clothing for their next fishing adventure is always a pleasure – please take advantage of my experience and knowledge.

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