Florida Keys Permit Fishing
Known as the trophy of
the flats, Permit are pound for pound one of the strongest
fish in the world. Their primary diet consists of mainly crabs
but are known to eat shrimp and other small fish. Also found
on shallow water flats and deep channel edges, Permit are
also fast runners and when hooked can easily take 150 yards
of line on their first run and use their wide bodies to bulldog
you to no end. Average size fish are between 10 - 20 lbs although fish to 30 lbs are not uncommon. It's rare that a Permit will refuse a well presented tasty live silver dollar sized blue crab but one of my best days this year we (Me and Bruce Garland) went 8 for 14 on Permit and each and every one of them except one was caught on shrimp. Some days that's just the way it goes. It's just best to be prepared for all circumstances.
Prime Permit Time | Feb, March and early April
Although you can catch Permit all year 'round, Feb, March and early April is when the Permit are pre-spawning and invade the flats before they spawn on the offshore reefs and wrecks. Strong tide bring better fishing and calm days bring Permit to the surface for the ultimate challenge. Permit are by far my favorite fish to catch bar none.
Summer Months and the Fall
With little traffic on the water and many calm days, the summer months are also a great time to catch Permit. All of the fish are back from spawning and can be found in large schools on the flats and channel edges. This is a great time to catch a Permit on the fly! The fall, especially this past year, has been the most incredible Permit fishing I have ever seen.
Fly Fishing for Permit
Fly
fishing for permit is very difficult but enjoyable. Many people
have dreamed of catching permit on a fly. The anticipation
after the fly has landed is incredible. It feels like time
is standing still. Once the fly is taken, hang on and be prepared
for a ride of a lifetime. Crab patterns are key to success.
I use a fly that I tie called the,
EP Ghost Crab, the
Fuzzy Merkin and the T-Pak Crab. Perfect sinks
rate is important. The fly must imitate a fleeing crab and
imitate it well. Permit have huge eyes and can spot a fake
in no time. Close casts and the "in your face" method
are usually the best. You really want to have the fish react
with out thinking.
Hey Guys, Happy New Year! WInter time has been great so far. Redfish are plentiful when its cold which is always a good thing. Annette (on left) with her first Redfish ever! And it was a nice one too! Mackerel and snapper bite has been awesome as well. Baby Tarpon are just starting to show back up with water temps hitting over 76 degrees. Early Spring time is near and my favorite time of year is coming, PERMIT FISHING! Cant wait for Feb and March! 
Check out some really cool fly fishing apparel @ Skinny Water Culture. Vince has some great stuff! 
Ghost Stalker Mask
