Fishing Gear: Bajîo Bales Beach Sunglasses

Description and Application: There’s a new player in the sunglasses market and if the initial roll out is any indication, anglers will want to take notice. Led by a team of people that helped guide Costa to prominence in the category, Bajîo is poised to carve out its place as the premier independent premium sunglasses brand.

As part of its debut collection, Bajîo, which is Spanish for “the flats,” rolled out 12 frame styles and six lens options ranging from performance fishing models to a few casual everyday use versions. Consumers can customize each pair to create a unique fit and look.

Staff Perspective: There’s a definite saltwater vibe surrounding the brand’s launch, which is understandable given the company’s home base is in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., but I’m here to tell you their shades are perfectly suited to inland, freshwater pursuits, too.

All heads and faces are not created equal, and I’ve struggled in the past with finding fishing sunglasses that just feel and fit right while also providing me with a clear, sharp view of what’s in front of me. Oftentimes, a frame may feel good along each side and back to my ears, but the way they sit on my nose just doesn’t mesh or vice versa.

When I slid on the Bajîo Bales Beach frame—I ordered the black matte finish frame paired with plastic lenses in the Trevally Blue color—it felt as though they had been digitally mapped and custom built to fit my melon. They are considered a “large” frame with a width of 141 mm and a bridge width of 14 mm, so keep that in mind.

In terms of the lens quality and performance, the Trevally Blue lens is touted as a great option for the brightest skies. I wore them non-stop during a three-day fishing outing in central Florida in mid-July when the sun is quite unforgiving. I’ve also put them to work under a variety of conditions in western New York and not once have I experienced anything close to eye fatigue. Another facet of the Bales Beach frame I like is the side vents on the outside of each lens. They serve to block out any peripheral light but also allow air to flow in, which helps reduce fogging, especially when wearing a sun mask.

Cost: $199.99 and up

Bajîo Sunglasses

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