Sunday, October 31, 2010

Bream - Part 1 Best Places to Find Bream in Australia

In this Part 1 of our 4 Part Series on Bream, you’ll learn the best places to find Bream in Australia. In the coming parts, you’ll find out the best way to catch them and cook them.

Lots of Aussie fishermen can attest to the fun and satisfaction of Bream fishing. Whether it's in estuaries or on the beach, with fly, lure or live bait, Bream fishing can be very enjoyable, they put up a great fight  and of course, they can taste great. Bream from lower estuaries, harbours and the open ocean have moist, white flesh with a clean, sweet flavour while upper estuary or freshwater dwelling fish often exhibit slightly softer flesh, and can have a slightly weedy or muddy taint at times.

Australian Bream Fishing

While most fishermen simply call them "Bream" (pronounced “Brim”), in Australia this term encompasses the fish variously known as Eastern Black Bream, Black Bream, Southern Bream, Pikey Bream  and Silver Bream. To make things more confusing, sometimes the Eastern Black Bream is mistakenly called the Yellowfin Bream. Properly speaking, the term Yellowfin Bream in Australia more correctly belongs to a closely related, but less common fish which lives in Western Australian waters. 

In Australia, very large bream of all species often have a bluish tinge around the nose and upper jaw area, which earns them the nickname of "blue-nose bream". 

Where to Find Bream in Australia

You’ll find the Eastern Black Bream from about Cairns, all the way down the New South Wales coast to about Lakes Entrance in Victoria, Southern Bream are primarily an estuary, lake and river dwelling fish, stretching from the far south coast of New South Wales to about Geraldton in Western Australia.

Southern Bream are also to be found the tidal rivers of Tasmania, the Bass Strait islands and on Kangaroo Island.

Pikey Bream range from central northern Queensland, across the Northern Territory to about Exmouth, in Western Australia.

Bream can be found from the freshwater reaches of rivers well above the upper tidal limits, down through the estuaries and into harbours, inlets, bays and tidal lakes.

Eastern Black Bream also range extensively along ocean surf beaches, rocky shorelines and into offshore waters. 

Bream do not like clear water,. When a sea breeze brings turbulence and cloudy water this can be the best time for fishing Bream. When fishing piers or jetties, do not neglect to cast under the structure  as Bream feed and shelter around the piles, often right under where you are standing.

In estuaries, harbours and tidal lakes, Bream usually inhabit rough, snaggy areas, 2 metres to 6 metres in depth. They feed together in schools, usually around areas which give them some protection, such as sunken logs, oyster bases, eroded banks or the base of rock walls.


During the winter months they congregate in the deep fast running waters, somewhere near surf bars where rivers and estuaries empty into the open sea, and bite best during the night and at dawn.
When fishing bream, you can expect to land fishing weighing anywhere between 200grams and 1.2 kg, and a Bream over 1.2kg is something to be proud of. There are reports of Bream over 4kg being caught.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Troy Cassar-Daley: Fishing, Family and His New Live DVD.



 Exclusive FishMax Interview with Troy Cassar-Daley.

Welcome to the first in our series of Australian celebrity fishermen (and women) interviews and everyone here at FishMax is delighted our first interview is with Country Music Legend, Queenslander, Avid Fisherman and all round good guy, Troy Cassar-Daley.

Troy has been steadily building fans of his music since he first released “Dream Out Loud” in 1994.  Since then he has gone from strength to strength winning a bag of awards any fishing musician (or musician fisherman) would boast of, including most recently, Best Country Album in 2009 for his album “I Love This Place”.

Along with County music and his family (Troy is married to country singer and radio & TV personality Laurel Edwards and they have two children, Clay and Gem) Troy loves nothing more than a spot of fishing, and he tries to get a line out at least once a fortnight.

If he can combine two of his great loves, family and fishing, he couldn’t be happier. “ My boy Clay caught his first Barra last year in the Territory”, Troy told us. “It was amazing to see his smile. I will never forget that day”.

Troy himself has been fishing and performing since he was a kid. He first went to  Tamworth when he was 11 and his first fishing memories are even earlier. “I remember catching catfish at a place called Cangai outside of Grafton where I am from” Troy said.

Troy told us that he especially enjoys going after Bass (on his farm an hour out of Brisbane) and Barramundi with lures, and he is definitely a catch and release kind of guy – the biggest fish he’s ever caught? “A Spanish Mackerel over a metre in Weipa North QLD”.

And Troy Casser-Daley’s favourite fishing spot? “Definitely the Red Lily Lagoon at Gunbalanya in the Northern Territory”.

Troy also tells us about his latest release, a live DVD and 2 CD set, his first “live” recording. Its of his special one off concert held at The York Theatre, Sydney in June of this year. The concert itself features ‘Born To Survive’, Big Big Love’, ‘Everything’s Going To Be Alright’, ‘Sing About This Country’, ‘River Boy’, ‘Trains’ plus two brand new tracks, ‘Yesterday’s Bed’ and ‘Brighter Day’ and a sensational cover of the Curtis Mayfield classic ‘People Get Ready’. Troy’s live CD & DVD set is in stores now.


For a sneak look at just how good Troy Cassar-Daley is performing live, take a look at this clip of “People Get Ready” live in Connecticut introduced by Troy's good friend, Kieth Urban:




Next week: Jimmy Barnes shares his fishing secrets.

Words: Stevo Perry Pics: Troy Casser-Daley’s personal albums & Mushroom Records.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Sand Whiting Off Golden Beach, Caloundra

There are few things more enjoyable then standing on the beach, rod in hand, enjoying the cool evening breeze and catching a few.

A couple of weeks ago, I packed the kids up and headed to Caloundra, Qld for the week-end, to try my hand beach fishing off Golden Beach and also see what Curramundi Lake could deliver.


We were rewarded with not just beautiful weather, but also some nice fishing - nothing outstanding but still a pleasant way to spend a few days with the family. Working the sand flats along the Esplenade at Golden Beach at low tide produced some nice Sand Whiting.

Whiting Tip: My bait of preference for Sand Whiting is blood worm and it didn't let me down. Gear itself was simple - a no 3 hook, with a small sinker about 2 feet above the hook was all that was needed.

The next day it was up at the crack of dawn, to try and find ourselves some Mangrove Jack around Currumundi Lake. There are plenty of fishermen who rave about the quality of the fight in Jack, and once again, we weren't disappointed. It seems that some were getting results with lures, but poddy mullet was doing the trick for us.

After an early start, we'd worked up a terrific apatite, and hoed in to the bacon and eggs at Currumdi's Lakeside Cafe. The kids joined us for breakfast, and even the 4 year-old knew that the "buy one get one free" $8 bacon and eggs was a great deal. Make sure you check it out.

If you're looking for family friendly appartments on the Sunshine Coast, you can't go past Portobello by the Sea Appartments at peaceful and convenient Dicky Beach. Lance, Pia, Rosa and Frank make you very welcome, and you can cook up your catch on the barbie while the kids enjoy the pool.








Thursday, October 21, 2010

Fishing Quote of the Week



"The fishing was good; it was the catching that was bad."
 A.K. Best                                           


Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Fishing With The Kids for the First Time - 7 Hot Tips - Part 2

Last week we looked at a few simply tips that will help make fishing with your kids a lot more enjoyable. This week, read the rest of our hot tips, and see THE most important rule of all when fishing with kids


5. Teach them about conservation & nature!

You don’t need to be a tree-hugger to know how important the natural environment is. Share that with the kids. When they catch a fish, hold it for them. Show them the fins and how the fish use them to swim. Show them the eyes and how they see through the water.

If you bring fish home, teach them to only bring home what they can eat, and release the rest.
Make sure you clean up and take all your rubbish with you, and explain to the kids why.

6. Safety


Agoo Girls Sunsafe Top
$39.99 at agoo.com.au

Bring and use sunscreen and mossie repellent.  Make sure the kids wear a hat. Most schools now have a “no hat, no play” policy. Our family has a “no hat, no fishing” policy and the kids have never known anything else. I also encourage my kids to wear sunnies and sunsafe clothing is a must. Bring, and make sure the kids drink, lots of water (not fizzy drinks).



Swim Trainer Vest
$19.95 at DealsDirect.com.au

 If you're on a boat, a properly fitted childs life jacket (PFD) is a must. Even on shore, a floatation vest of some sort is a good idea for the very little ones.


Banana Boat
Sunscreen


Be strict about taking care with knives, hooks and swinging rod tips. Kids need to know they can hurt. A lot!

Hot Tip: Consider flattening the barb of the hook with a pair of pliers. It makes unhooking the fish easier, and also clothes, trees, siblings etc.

7. Get help if you need it.

There are heaps of resources to help you give your kids a love of fishing including free fishing clinics. Google “kids fishing clinics” and your town/city.  The people who take these clinics are professionals. Just like a teacher at school can help your kid to learn to read, a good fishing coach/instructor can give the kids some pointers in the right direction. Just like reading, it’s then up to you to make sure the kids practice and reinforce the lessons learned.

8. The Final Word!

The final word: Patience. A fishing friend told me “I used to pray that my kids would be well behaved. I am older and wiser now. Now I just pray for patience.”

You will struggle to get the kids to follow your instructions, get huge birds nests, have kids tell you they need to go to the loo just after the lines are in the water  and lose interest, whine and fight. Be ready for it. If you don’t think you can handle it, refer to point  7. If you can handle it, it will be worth it because soon enough it will be you and them standing side by side, lines in the water, thinking “how good is this!”

What to pack

When taking the kids fishing, in addition to the usual gear make sure you pack:

  1. at least 1 extra kids rod/reel
  2. camera
  3. kids’ hats & sunglasses
  4. sunscreen
  5. water
  6. toilet paper
  7. lots of snacks & lunch/dinner
  8. Liquid hand sanitiser
Follow these few simple guidelines and you are sure to have a great day.

Bonus Kids Fishing Giveaway:

We're giving away the great kids fishing items featured on this page. Click here to find out more.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Hoochies, Flashers, Dodgers and Bombs




On our recent fishing trip to British Columbia, Rob’s mate Sandy yells out over the rumble of the twin 500 hp Caterpillar diesels, “Snap, pass me that hoochie and the dodger”.

“What the hell is a hoochie? Or a dodger?” I thought to myself. I had no idea what he meant. With blank look on my face, I had to apologise, “Sorry mate, I’ve got NFI what you’re talking about!”

Sandy rolled his eyes and patiently teaches us the lingo of salmon trolling in B.C.

Hoochies – A hoochie is a small imitation squid lure. Those we used were only small –about four to five centimeters in length. Best colours are red or pink. The lure was rigged with 2/0 to 3/0 sized hooks.

Flashers and Dodgers – These are fish attractors rigged between the lure and the downrigger release or attached separate from the fishing line on the downrigger weight. These attractors flash and vibrate, imparting an erratic action to the lure. The difference between a flasher and a dodger is the way they run through the water. A dodger has a side to side motion while the flasher spins with full 360 degree rotations.

Bombs or Cannonballs- these are the large lead weights that hold the downrigger line deep in the water. The vary in size from around 10 lbs ( 4.5 kg) to 15 lbs (6.75kg). They come as a round ball - exactly like a cannonball or in various shapes with fins or wings. These are heavy and will make a real mess of toes or the boat deck if dropped.

FishMax Sockeye Salmon Fishing Tip No. 1 - Less is more with these hoochies. Try thinning out the lure's skirt to leave only 4 to 5 strands. Sockeye have even been caught with just a few strands of red yarn tied to a red hook.

FishMax Sockeye Salmon Fishing Tip No. 2 - Troll slowly - the slower the better. Aim for a trolling speed of 1.5 to 2 knots.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Early Bird

If you ask me, the keenest fishermen catch the better fish. When you’re rugged up in a nice warm bed in the middle of winter back home, you think to yourself, you must be crazy to be going out fishing but when you hook onto that big one, you know it is all worth it.





A friend of mine, Steve Miller, found out it was worth getting out of his warm bed, early one cold August morning, recently. Fishing in Moreton Bay with a mate of his, the wind started blowing up to 15 knots with a few white caps appearing. They were wondering whether to pack up and head for shore or to stay that bit longer. It was overcast and cold but then, just as the dawn was breaking, they found themselves amongst a school of hungry snapper.

Everybody talks about “the one that got away” .The first one Steve hooked up on was a stonker. Unfortunately he dropped it just before he could get it back to the dinghy. Next drop and he was back on again. He couldn’t believe his luck!

After fighting this big guy for about 10 minutes (he said it felt like hours) he landed him. Steve caught him on a 2-4kg rod with 15lb braid and 10lb fluorocarbon leader with a 4” Jerk Shad.

It weighed in at 6.5 kg and was 82cm in length.

Moral of the story - The early bird catches the worm.

See you out there early one morning.


Robbie :)

Friday, October 15, 2010

Fishing With The Kids for the First Time - 7 Hot Tips - Part 1


My older brothers taught me to fish. In fact, brothers being brothers, they still try to teach me a thing or two about fishing! Now, I am teaching my kids the joy of getting out there on the water and catching fish, and believe me, as they say, the first time is the hardest.

You don’t need us to tell you how good fishing is, or that you should take your kids fishing. You already know that! What we have here are sure fire ways to make your kids  first fishing experience a lot more enjoyable for YOU and the kids.

Bonus: Read on to find out how you can win the products on this page!

1. The 5 Ps.

Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.  Don’t decide at the last minute to take the kids fishing for the first time. Do some prep work, not just on gear but also research the spots, check the weather and let the kids know what you are thinking. Make sure you have a wet weather plan and maybe plan a treat for the drive home in case the fish have not been biting.

Hot tip: Manage the kids expectations. You are a legend fisherman of course, so they will think they are going to catch a huge bag of big fish just like you do every time you go out. Explain to them before you go that fishermen don’t catch fish every time.

Hot tip: A day’s fishing is too much for the under 5s (and maybe even the under 12s). 4 hours including a break for meals and two 10-15 min breaks for a run/play on the swings is heaps.

2. Keep it simple!


Ugly Stick Complete Set.
$49.95 from DealsDirect.com.au
 Use light gear. A 5 or 6 foot rod is the most kids under about 12 can handle. 6 to 8 lb line will be fine.

Don’t buy complete rubbish, but there are plenty of low priced rods and reel sets for kids from reputable brands such as Shakespeare and Jarvis Walker. Whatever you do, don’t buy your kids top of the range gear. They will drop, sit on it etc, and you will get yourself angry trying to convince the kid to look after his/her stuff.

Keep tackle simple. Hook, small sinker, a bobber/float, and bait. It’s a simple combination that kids can understand.


Shakespeare Pink Baitcaster
$29.95 at DealsDirect.com.au

Pack at least 1 more rod/reel than you have kids. One of the kids will get a nasty bird’s nest. Rather than have them standing by getting antsy while you try to untangle it, give them the spare.

Hot Tip:  the float gives a visual aspect to fishing that will hold their interest longer and helps you keep track of where the bait is.

Hot Tip: Pack hand lines too. Very little kids might find casting just too much. Throw in a couple of handlines that are “theirs”. Any fish caught on “their” lines are therefore caught by “them”. This is good enough for the under 5s.

3. More is more. Fish for numbers not size or species!

Kids need a quick pace to keep their interest. It is vital that they start out fishing where bites will be easy to come by. Your kid’s first few fish don’t have to be barra or GT. Catfish, bream, dart, whiting or what ever is common in your area is fine.


Carson Adventure Pack
$49.95 from select retailers
 Some kids are also going to want to wander off or do something else, especially the under 5s. Don’t fight this but rather than park them in the car with the gameboy, have a couple of ideas for activities that relate to fishing/outdoors and make sure you pick a spot where its safe for them to do this. This will also help them have an enjoyable day if the fishing is poor.

If your kid is a reader, let him/her take a book but maybe suggest a fishing related one. If you have a bait net, bring it along. Live bait in a bucket will keep the little ones entertained, if not for hours, at least for a few minutes.


Folding Dog Chair
$24.99 from Mitre 10
 Make sure the camera you pack is a simple one and let the kids take some photos themselves, and if fishing from the bank or beach, bring a folding chair as little kids can't stand for as long as adults can.

Hot Tip: When the kids get whiney, rather than say “ok, if you’re bored, lets go home”, take a break and then get back to it. Snack time is good, as is “10 minutes on the swings”.

4. Keep it about the kids!

Kids will no doubt make bad casts, fling the hook around, get snags and lose tackle, and probably drop the rod at least once. That’s okay, it’s expected!

Let your kids know they’re doing a great job, and show excitement, when things are going well. Their satisfaction comes as much from your reaction, as their catch success. If they do something wrong, explain it to them, and teach them how to do it right. Expect to have to tell them the same thing at least 4 times.

Unless your wife/partner is a keen fisher, leave her at home. She is likely to get bored quicker than the kids do. Tell her to have some time to herself. That way, even if the kids don’t have a good time fishing, you will be in the good books with the missus.

Bring the camera and take lots of photos.

Hot tip: You will be busy casting, baiting and de-knotting line.  Accept in advance that it’s a day for the kids to fish, not a day for you to fish. When I take very small kids out, I don’t even take my rod. The time will come soon enough when you and the kids are fishing side by side.

Hot tip: The kids will have to go to the loo at least once if not more while you are out. Remind them to go before they get in the car and before you throw in the lines “whether they need to or not”. Pack your own toilet paper.

Next Week in Part 2 - Get more hot tips and learn THE Number 1 rule of fishing with kids!

Bonus Kids Fishing Giveaway:

We're giving away the great kids fishing items featured on this page. Click here to find out more.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Cut the Glare - Fishing Sunglasses Part 2

Every fisherman (and woman) knows the importance of good sunglasses. If you need reminding – check out our recent article on how to pick a pair of fishing sunglasses. We also know that the best fishing sunglasses not only protect our eyes, but look good and feel good as well.  The choices are huge, but to help you make the choice, we’ve recently road tested some of the best sunglasses for fishing in Australia. Here is our pick of some of the best fishing sunglasses for men on the market in Australia right now:


Lewis Sunglasses from Glarefoil by Polaroid.
RRP: $39.95  . Visit Sunshades Eyewear for stockists. Polarizing lenses and good wrap around sports fit. Pros: Good UV protection and high sunglare reduction. Flexible frames. Red highlights will help you them in your fishing bag. Cons:  May scratch easily. Verdict: Good budget fishing sunglasses.



Cronulla Sunglasses from Cancer Council
RRP: $49.95. Visit the Cancer Council to buy online or for stockists. Polarizing lenses and profits go to fund cancer research, patient support and education. Pros: Good UV protection and high sunglare reduction. Flexible frames. Cons:  May scratch easily. Frame feels brittle and might break if sat on. Verdict: Good budget fishing sunglasses.


Amberjack Sunglasses by Fish
RRP: $79.95. Visit Sunshades Eyewear for stockists. Fish Polarised sunglasses are designed for the fisherman. Pros: Good UV  sunglare protection. Strong frames. Cons:  Not the most stylish of sunglasses. Verdict: These are a great mid price fishing sunglasses.


Dorado Sunglasses by Fish
RRP: $79.95. Visit Sunshades Eyewear for stockists.. Fish Polarised sunglasses are designed with the fisherman in mind. Pros: Good UV protection and high sunglare reduction. Cons:  Frames feel a little flimsy. Verdict: Another pair of good mid priced fishing sunglasses.



Riley Sunglasses by Polaroid
RRP: $79.95. Visit Sunshades Eyewear for stockists. Polaroid sunglasses have a long history of manufacturing polarised lenses. Pros: 100% UV protection and high sunglare reduction. Cons: Perhaps lacking in the style stakes. Verdict:  A solid product.



Base Storm Sunglasses
RRP: $39.95. ViVisit Sunshades Eyewear for stockists. Solid fit and contemporary style. Pros: Good UV protection and high sunglare reduction.Comfortable fit. Cons: Lenses may scratch easily. Verdict:  A comfortable pair of fishing sunglasses.


Cancer Council Logan Sunglasses
RRP: $39.95. Visit the Cancer Council to buy online or for stockists. Blue frames make it stand out from the black pack. Profits go to fund cancer research & patient support . Pros: Good UV protection and high sunglare reduction. Flexible frames. Cons:  May scratch easily. Frame feels brittle and might break if sat on. Verdict: Good budget fishing sunglasses.



High Tide Sunglasses by Base
RRP: $39.95. Visit Sunshades Eyewear for stockists. Smokey lense for evening fishing and fishing on cloudy days. Pros: Good UV protection and high sunglare reduction.Comfortable fit. Cons: Lenses may scratch easily. Verdict:  Good option at the budget sunglasses for fishing end.


We also took a look at some "fashion" sunglasses that can also serve as sunglasses for the occassional fisherman.


Ray-Ban Classic Aviator Sunglasses
RRP$185. Available at Budget Eyewear stores and other leading eyewear outlets. Timeless classic sunglasses have G15 lenses. Pros: You look seriously cool. 100% UV protection. Cons: Wire frames bend easily. Not wrap around. Verdict: Not just for fighterpilots and motorcycle cops.


Ray-Ban Tech Sunglasses
RRP$329. Available at Budget Eyewear stores  and other leading eyewear outlets from November. With darker and smaller lenses than the Aviator and stylish black carbon fibre frame, this is a modern take of a timeless classic pair of sunglasses.  Pros: Very cool. Flexable frame. 100% UV protection. Polarised lense and anti-reflective coating. Hydro-olephobic lenses protect from water drops. Cons: Not being wrap around, light still enters from the sides. Verdict: You can always back black.


Instigator from Intimidate Sunglasses
RRP: $139.95 Visit intimidate.com.au to buy online or for stockists. Solid feeling frames with the latest fashion in tribal designs on the arms.  Pros: high sunglare reduction and good UV protection Cons: Metal rim is likely to suffer in harsh salt/sea environment. Verdict: Cutting edge fashion

NEXT WEEK: What's Hot in Women's Fishing Sunglasses

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Fishing Quote of the Week



"A bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work."
                                                                         Anon                                           


Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Silstar Damos Combo Rod and Reel

What rod and reel combo to buy? The answer is simple and complex. Buy the best rod and the best reel you can afford! The Silstar Damos Combo is probably worth looking at for those fishermen looking for a higher quality lure or bait fishing outfit but who are still budget conscious.

With a Silstar Damos Combo, you can feel the smooth oscillation of the aluminium spooked Damos reel  spool and the Damos graphite rod with modern cork grips feels like a well balanced rod which will be comfortable in the hand.

The Damos Silstar Combo comes in  6 different combonations from 6’ spin to 8’ spin and  in single or two-piece construction. Remember though that these combos are only for those looking to fish the lighter line classes.

Remember that when you are looking at the "budget conscious" end of the market, you will be making sacrifices, but retailing at about the $100 mark, the  Damos Combo from Silstar is worth a look.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Choosing the Right Fishing Sunglasses - Cut the Glare - Part 1

Do you know what type of sunglasses are the best for fishing?

It doesn't matter if you're a weekend fisherman or or a pro, one of the most important things you can do to protect your eyes while fishing is wear a good pair of sunglasses ( the other it to wear a hat!)- as well as improving your enjoyment of the day fishing, the right fishing sunglasses can even help you catch more fish!

As well as protecting your eyes from the sun, a good pair of fishing sunglasses will also protect your eyes from flying hooks and wayward rod tips.

There is a huge price range in fishing polarised sunglasses,  from $20 bucks at the local service station, to over $300 for the top end, you can spend as much or as little as you want. Of course, like all your fishing gear, you get what you pay for, but there  are alot of good sunglasses for fishermen in the $50 to $200 range.

Exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun while fishing Australian waters without sunglasses can and will damage your eyes. When reflected off the surface of the water,  ultraviolet light is intensified and potentially more damaging to the eyes and visual system. Studies show that over time, exposure to these harmful rays of the sun can damage the eyes and  cause fishers problems like macular degeneration and cataracts , small growths on your corneas called pterygiums, dry eyes and even sunburn to the cornea called solar keratitis. Australian fishermen that haven’t worn the proper sun protection are also more likely to develop skin cancers in and around the eye.

The huge benefits of wearing the proper sunglasses while boating or fishing justifies spending a little money on a good pair of sunglasses.

How Do I Choose The Best Pair Of Sunglasses For Fishing?

Invest in your vision and purchase a pair of  polarised sunglasses from  areputable brand  if you are boating or fishing in the Australian sun. A good name brand sunglasses will block the glare coming off the surface of the water and also provide 100% UV protection.

Polarised lenses (or polarized lenses, if you are a yank) are crucial while on the water to block the surface reflection and prevent the glare from interfering with your vision. Polarised lenses enable you to see not only the fish in the water, but also any object that may be just under the surface of the water. The ultimate boating and fishing sunglasses should fit well, have a full field of vision, have good top, bottom and side protection, and should be polarised with a UV filter in the monomer or UV coating. To even further enhance ones vision while wearing sunglasses, a back surface anti-reflective coating will decrease the amount of light reflected to your eyes from the back of the lens.

To test whether sunglass lenses are in fact polarised as claimed take two pairs of the same glasses and hold one in front of the other. Slowly tip one pair vertically while looking through both sets. As you rotate the lenses they should work against each other to reduce the light transmission and by the time the front pair are 90 degrees to the back pair, everything should be black. That’s because light waves are now cut in all directions or planes. No light gets through. This simple test will quickly reveal non-polarised or poorly polarised glasses. If they fail this test, don’t buy them!

Australian fishing sunglasses come with a lot of different colored lenses. Many experts recommend a brown or copper lens for the majority of late evening, early morning and shallows fishing. A grey or smoke coloured sunglass lens is best for fishing in the middle of the day, afternoon or deep sea fishing. If it is very foggy, overcast or cloudy, fishing sunglasses should have a yellow, orange or amber tint.

For those of us fishermen who need corrective lenses (glasses) just to see, prescription lenses are a real option and probably better than those clip on or slide over options. Most of the big brands now offer prescriptions in at least some of their polarised lenses and frame styles so talk to your optometrist. Also discuss bi-focal options with your optometrist if you need glasses for reading or close up work like tying knots. Prescription sunglasses for fishermen can be expensive so make sure you checkout your options first and don't forget to make sure you have an up-to-date prescription.

Next week - We look at the best fishing sunglasses forAustralia on the  market right now!