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Can there be any more relaxing activity than a day on the lake with with nothing but fishing gear and pure silence, just soaking up the sun, away from co-workers and family? Away from responsibility? Not a chance!

There are certain equipment that are standard in pretty much any tackle box, and nobody forgets the bait (we hope). But what about sunglasses? If there is one thing that is often forgotten - and is vital for your well-being - it is polarized sunglasses.

Why sunglasses? Why polarized? . Choosing the right polarized sunglasses is important for both your health and enjoyment.

Sunglasses because the sun's harmful UV rays are multiplied when out on a fishing excursion as the glare from the sun bounces off the water. There are no trees. There are no buildings. There is no shelter. The sun beats down on you for hours. And bounces up at you from the water for hours. Over the years, too much exposure to UV rays can cause permanent damage to your eyes. Maximum protection from UVA, UVB and UVC light is your goal.

A few of the dangers include...

- Cataracts - a cloudiness in the crystalline lens of the eye, which reduces the light we see and can ultimately lead to blindness

- Pterygiums - small growths on your cornea

- Skin cancer around the eyes, where it is hard to apply sunscreen

- Solar keratitis - sunburn right on the cornea, acute and painful, and perhaps a precursor to some of the other eye diseases the sun can create.

- Macular degeneration - a loss of vision in the center of the visual field that makes it hard to read, recognize faces, drive, etc.

Why specifically polarized sunglasses? The glare off the water can be blinding, and after a few hours your eyes can get pretty fed up of the strain. Polarized sunglasses will block almost 100% of the glare that comes off of water. They, are designed with "vertical polarization". Since the light bouncing off of the water is in the form of horizontally polarized light, they also allow fishermen to see down into the water helping them to spot fish. So, while they are great for any activity that is surrounded by reflection, from snow-shoeing to canoeing, polarized sunglasses are doubly useful for fishermen.

If you are fishing in shallow water, amber colored lenses will help you better see the fish. For instance, the bigmouth bass, which survives by blending into its background, can be easier seen through the yellow filter.

Polarized lenses will also help you see dead heads lurking just beneath the surface, so even boaters who are not fishing have a double reason to wear them - they reduce blinding glare that hurts your eyes, and they reduce blinding glare that keeps you from seeing below the surface.

A good pair of polarized sunglasses will make your fishing trip a much more enjoyable experience than if you forget to bring them along. See the fish, not the glare...and see better for years to come.