Trachinotus falcatus
Highly prized sport fish. Challenging to catch on flats and around wrecks.
Spring through fall, year-round in South Florida. Peak April–June.
Sight-casting to tailing fish with live crabs. Fly-fishing in shallow water.
24" minimum fork length.
Sight-fish on shallow flats at low tide. Permit are very spooky — long casts, quiet approach. Live blue crabs are best bait.
Curated picks for Permit fishing in Florida
Soft-plastic crab imitation — the best artificial for flats permit.
Permit eat crab almost exclusively on the flats; this is the go-to when live crabs aren't available.
Light, invisible leader for technical flats permit fishing.
Permit on skinny water are among the most wary fish in Florida — heavy leader = no eat.
Value-priced 9wt fly rod ideal for permit and redfish on the flats.
A 9wt has the muscle to turn over a crab fly into the wind.
Collapsible crab trap to catch and hold live bait crabs before your trip.
Live crabs are the #1 permit bait — catching your own saves serious money.
12 spots tracked — click any for tides, weather & local tips
Get gear picks, tide tips, and local knowledge for Permit fishing.
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