Permit caught near Anna Maria Island

Permit

The permit is a flats trophy — a tall, silver, fork-tailed fish that's famously spooky and famously strong. Hooking one on the flats or around nearshore wrecks is a bucket-list moment.

They sip crabs with maddening caution, so a permit on fly or light tackle is one of the most rewarding catches we offer.

Size
Commonly 5–25 pounds
Fight
Blistering, dogged runs
On the table
Usually released
Best season
Warmer months

How we catch Permit

We sight-fish permit with crabs and flies on the flats and around nearshore structure on inshore, nearshore, and fly trips.

On the table

Permit are prized as a sport fish and almost always released to protect this hard-won fishery.