The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Permit Trachinotus falcatus
Permit Size, Range & Diet
| Typical size | 24–34 in, 10–25 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum | up to 4 ft and about 79 lb |
| Lifespan | up to 23 years |
| Range | Western Atlantic from south Florida and the Keys through the Bahamas, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, with strays north to Massachusetts. |
| Habitat | Shallow sand and turtle-grass flats, channel edges and beach troughs inshore; wrecks, towers and reefs in 30–100 ft offshore. |
| Diet | Crabs above all, plus shrimp, clams and small mollusks crushed off the bottom. |
Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.
How to Identify a Permit
- Deep, strongly compressed silver disc-shaped body
- Orange-yellow wash on the lower body and anal-fin area
- Dark sickle-shaped (falcate) dorsal and anal-fin lobes
- Forked tail with dark lobes; no spots or stripes
- Small mouth, blunt steep forehead
Tell it apart: Compared with a pompano (not on this list), a permit is larger and far deeper-bodied with a darker, more sickle-shaped second dorsal; the flat silver disc with an orange-tinged lower body and no markings is the giveaway.
How to Catch Permit
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- Best in spring and again midsummer when fish tail on the flats and stack the wrecks; sight-cast crab flies or live-crab imitations.GearCrab flies1/0-2/0 short-shank hooks20 lb fluorocarbon leader
When & Where Permit Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Florida & the Keys Inshore |
Permit Regulations
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.