June 29, 2011
By Daniel McElrath
I've been wearing Maui Jim's sunglasses for years. But because of my progressing age, my eyesight has gone from 20:20 to "Why do they make this menu print so small!"
In fishing tournaments, I was either jabbing my line where I thought the hook eye should be or fumbling between my reading glasses and my sunglasses while holding my line and a lure, and trying to keep my balance in a shifting boat.
Then I got a bright idea. Though Maui Jim makes outstanding fishing sunglasses, why not give their new bifocal "readers" a try?
Advertisement
So I did. It was one of the better decisions I've made in my angling life. The company's sleek Makaha and larger Ho'okipa bifocals ($199) are both lightweight and comfortable. Moreover, they both offer legendary Maui Jim glare-cutting ability but also incorporate a hidden magnifying area along the lower part of each lens. Magnification is your choice of 1.50, 2.00 or 2.50.
The benefits while fishing are considerable. Quickly retying and getting back to fishing improves your performance more than you realize.
Tying a fast clinch or Palomar knot, or threading a hook eyelet on the first try -- without changing glasses -- is a wonderful thing.
Advertisement