Having the right gear is crucial for any outdoor activity, and fishing is no exception. For sight fishing, that includes products that help anglers better identify fish and structural features in the water in almost any weather or environmental condition. Lures that mimic the natural action and appearance of baitfish can also improve results.
Unfortunately, there is an endless array of products that make bold claims about increasing catch rates and it can be a challenge to distinguish truth from fiction. However, when it comes to the advantages of advanced thin film coatings, the science behind the technology is well established. Thin film coatings are extensively utilized in the aerospace, automotive, and defense sectors to protect surfaces, create reflective surfaces, enhance stealth capabilities of military vehicles, improve performance in harsh environments, and filter out light.
Now, thin film coatings are being applied to create innovative products for sight fishing – from sunglasses to tackle – designed to harness the power of light. Whether filtering out unwanted colors to make others “pop,” reducing reflection and glare, or luring fish using wavelength of light not visible to the human eye, thin film coatings are specifically formulated to enhance catch rates, with a range of choices tailored to the style of fishing, weather, and water conditions.
Sunglasses designed for visual acuity
Excellent vision is imperative for success in sight fishing. Any product that can enhance visual acuity can improve crucial skills such as spotting fish in hiding, detecting subtle movement, identifying features below the surface, and judging distances.
Sunglasses are a fundamental tool of the trade for this purpose. Modern advancements include thin film coatings that enhance vision, such as photochromatic lenses that darken in UV light and polarized lenses that reduce glare and eye fatigue.
While these options are effective, companies like RLVNT are offering sunglasses with even more advanced thin film technology – in many cases “stacking” features and including innovative technology like narrow band filters to boost visual contrast by selectively blocking or enhancing certain colors. This technology allows anglers to experience vivid colors and improved visibility, with options that are specifically tailored to the weather and environment.
Scott Mackner (330 Maniac), a popular YouTube content creator of fishing, trapping, foraging and hunting videos claims his catch rate went “way up” since he started using the Freshwater Blue Chameleon Lens sunglasses from RLVNT.
Mackner, who was raised in West Central Minnesota and lives in Detroit Lakes, says he noted an immediate difference when sight fishing for crappie, bluegill, walleye, bass and pike.
“Having those glasses gives you such an advantage,” says Mackner, adding they “cut the water in half,” his lingo for improving visual clarity by reducing glare and reflection off the water to “give me that access to see what’s down [in the water].”
That includes helping him see crappies around reeds and bluegill and sunfish near trees along the shoreline. He says he can also better spot smallmouths under submerged cover. The sunglasses also help Mackner discern physical structures such as boulders beneath the water’s surface.
Mackner adds that the alternative is to spend, “an hour and a half, two hours pitching around, trying to find those fish.”
He also owns several other colored lenses designed specifically for different outdoor environments. RLVNT has options for bright, bluer environments, heavy greenery and cloud cover, muddy or high-iron waters, or water with heavy greenery.
He utilizes the Freshwater Green Chameleon lens in the Fall to make the green cabbage “pop” when fishing for muskie or walleye.
“When you get into Fall, you are looking for good green cabbage that is still alive and has a lot of oxygen in it, since a lot of it dies off,” explains Mackner. “When you get to a cabbage bed, you can eliminate it if the cabbage is brown and curled over.”
Mackner also appreciates the “screen view” feature, which allows the user to view digital screens such as sonar screens and fish finders without the visual distortions or glare. This also eliminates the need to repeatedly take his sunglasses off to look at a device.
For ice fishing, Mackner says he utilizes RLVNT’s Hardwater Bronze lens, which is specifically designed for maximum protection and glare reduction in snow and ice.
“Because I ice fish and I do a lot of guiding as well, I spend long days on the lake, staring at the snow and ice, so it is important to protect my eyes,” says Mackner. “The Hard Water Bronze lenses transition to dark and keep me from getting a headache by the end of the day. And you still have that clarity. I can also use them in the summertime.”
Lures that Attract Baitfish
Applying thin film technology to enhance sunglasses is only one of the ways it’s been used to help anglers fill their boats.
Throughout history, anglers have studied the natural world and its physical laws with one goal in mind: to catch more fish. Whether by observing ecosystems, weather patterns, or water currents, there has been a constant desire to understand how a fish behaves in its environment.
This scientific approach also includes scrutinizing the physical aspects of lures: the color, size, and type of prey the lure mimics. The idea is that, by understanding how these dynamics work, an angler can determine any fish’s response trigger.
Now thin film coatings are being applied to fishing lures based on how fish “see” the lure in different water and weather conditions. This extends well beyond the typical patterns and bright blue, green, silver, or salmon colors typically incorporated in most lures.
Mad Scientist, specifically, is causing a stir due to its patented thin film technology that reflects light in bands not visible to the human eye. Fish are drawn to this light, as it mimics the visual stimuli that they respond to when searching for food. The lure creates the illusion of the fish’s natural prey, its movement and appearance, tricking the fish into taking the bait.
Of course, the true test of any product’s effectiveness is in how well it performs in the real world. According to Mad Scientist, all their lures have been field-tested by professional anglers in professional tournaments. They also regularly perform rigorous durability tests on their lures, ensuring they can stand the test of time.
While this is all well and good, since this technology is based on light, it must perform even when water clarity and light levels are suboptimal. This is especially important for ice fishing in low-light conditions. Interestingly, since UV is even more visible to fish in low light, ice fishers have reported dramatically improved catch rates when using the lures.
Dedicated sight fishing enthusiasts actively seek out products that enhance their skills in the pursuit of their chosen pastime, whether for personal satisfaction, bragging rights, or to win competitions. Advanced thin film coatings are a game-changing technology that delivers many benefits specifically designed to increase catch rates in any weather conditions, environment, or type of fishing.
For more information, visit www.rlvnt.life; email customerservice@rlvnt.life; call 1-888-822-9300.
