The most important ingredient in sight-fishing is a pair of quality polarized sunglasses. You are as good as blind without them. Polarized lenses allow you to see through the surface glare with an almost superhuman ability, but not all glasses are created equal.

Tommy Biffle, who ranked fourth in 2003 Wal-Mart FLW Tour points standings, swears by Solar Bats, but the Oklahoma pro doesn’t just carry a single pair in his boat. He has three, each with different-colored lenses.

“Different lens colors work best under different conditions,” Biffle said. “During some tournaments, I change my glasses several times in a single day as the sunlight changes or even as the color of the water changes. There can be enough of a color difference in the water from one side of a lake to the other to justify using a different lens color. I can’t really say that there are specific situations that call for a specific lens color, so I’d suggest trying different ones for each condition.”

Do you need more than one pair of shades? Definitely, says Biffle, especially when you are targeting bass that you should be able to see. If you are on a tight budget, however, buy a single pair of the best quality you can afford. Biffle suggests Solar Bat’s moss-green lenses in a wraparound style that blocks glare from the sides.