Fishing for Permit in the Florida Keys

Fishing

Permit

Fishing For Permit in the Florida Keys

Permit on Fly and Light Tackle

By: Geoff Colmes

permit A wary tough fighting fish, that is always unpredictable. Permit are considered by many guides and anglers as the definitive saltwater species on fly or spin, rounding out the “Keys grand slam." The Keys slam consists of bonefish, tarpon and permit.

Permit are considered by many guides and anglers as the definitive saltwater species on fly or spin, rounding out the “Keys grand slam.

Permit range from 12 to pounds, frequently exceeding that, with large "specimens" in the 40-pound range not uncommon. On lower tide phases, permit are frequently occur on the deeper edges of bay and oceanside flats and banks and are often found feeding on top of these areas on higher tide phases, sometimes tailing. Also found in varying depths of deeper water on reefs, coral heads, sea fans, rocks, wrecks and occasionally "floating" on the surface in huge schools.

As with tarpon and bonefish, permit range (in our region) from Biscayne Bay to Key West, the Marquesas and Florida Bay. They can also be found up the east and west coats of Florida, the Bahamas, Mexico, and Central America; to mention just a few of the places that Permit are found.

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Notes on Permit Fishing

Notes

Favorite food of the Permit consists of several kinds of crabs, shrimp, mollusks and baitfish. Much like the bonefish, Permit use plates in their mouths and throats to crush their victims. They also becoming slightly more solitary as they grow older and bigger. Juvenile permit are mainly planktivorous eaters, larger juveniles will eat small clams, crabs and shrimp. Adult Permit eat clams, adult crabs, shrimp, bait fish, and even sea urchins. Most fly patterns represent crabs when fishing to Permit and are weighted in the front, in order to give the appearance of retreating crab heading for the bottom.

Best Time

For PermitPermit are around the South Florida and the Keys all year, but best in the spring and fall. Moderate to windy days are much better for consistently hooking permit, they are less wary and don’t always require that perfect presentation. Permit are durable fish and can tolerate temperature swings but appear to be more available in the spring and fall during a warm up after a passing cold front.

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Fly Fishing Gear and Rigging For Permit

Fly Fishing

9 to 10 weight fly outfits using floating, and clear floating line are standard for the Florida Keys. 10 weights are used on occasion during extra windy days making it easier to deliver larger weighted flies.

Leaders for Permit

Leaders ranging from 9 to 12 feet tapered to 12 to 16 pound test Seaguar Fluorocarbon.

Permit Flies

Flies A variety of crab patterns is the normal fly arsenal for the Permit angler. Merkins, toads, Velcro Crabs and combinations thereof including baitfish patterns such as Clouser minnows. Being able to present the fly at a variety of depths is important. Fly sizes in the Florida Keys range from #1 to #2.

Spin Fishing

Seven-foot plus medium action spining rod outfits are the standard. Quality spinning reels with superior drags are essential.
Rigging 10 to 12 LB test mono line is the standard. Straight Bimini twist or double line connected to 16 pound test flouro leader. 2/0 or 3/0 hooks with live crabs or shrimp are the go-to bait selection.

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