Permit

The most treasured of all flats fish!

permit-4.1Permit

Trachinotus falcatus

10 – 50 lbs.

Permit are notoriously spooky and picky. The permit tends to be the most difficult fish in the Grand Slam to catch. Like bonefish the permit is stalked or hunted. If luck is on your side you may find a couple tailing on the flats or see them coming towards you 100 meters away. Casts need to be long and accurate.

The most challenging (frustrating) salt-water fish there is! This is the one fish that all serious salt water fly fisherman dream of. There are many tips for hooking and landing Permit but it really comes down to some basic principles. Stay calm. Be prepared. Place the fly where the fish can see it. Don’t short the shot. If you are going to make the most of your chances, make sure to drop the fly where the fish can see it.  Ideally you want the Permit to see the fly as it floats to the bottom. Then hopefully a couple of strips and he is yours. The mouths of Permit are rubbery so a good hard strip set (and sharp hooks) is required to set the hook properly. Hold on!

Tip: Good polarized saltwater sunglasses are key to seeing fish on the flats. Ideally copper, brown or rose coloured lenses with wrap around frames.

PageLines- PermitRoatan.jpg Method

Similar to bonefish. Walk & Wade or guide poled boat over sand flats. Cast weighted flies close to Permit let the fly fall and strip to entice a take. Strip set!

Equipment

Rods 9-10 wt rods. Floating Shooting Head Tropical Saltwater line. 20-30 lb. fluorocarbon leader.

Flies Size 2-4 weighted. Avalon Permit fly, Raghead Crab, Merkin Crab, EP Spawning Shrimp. Crab  and Shrimp flies with bead and lead eyes.

 

Hunt for Permit at these Featured Locations