Permit
Trachinotus falcatus
A deep-bodied, silver jack prized as one of the hardest fish to catch on the flats, and found around wrecks and reefs as well.
- Type
- Inshore & Flats
- Typical size
- Typically 5 to 30 lb; larger fish possible
- Range
- Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean
- Coasts
- Southeast Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico
- Where
- Flats & estuaries, Reefs, wrecks & jetties
- Best seasons
- Spring through summer
Note: Size limits, bag limits, and seasons for this species change often, so check current state and federal rules before you keep one.
How to identify it
- A deep, flat, silvery body.
- A steep, blunt forehead.
- Dark, sickle-shaped dorsal and anal fins.
- A deeply forked tail.
Often confused with
- Florida Pompano: smaller, with a golden tint and shorter fins.
- Bonefish: slender, with a conical snout.
Baits and lures
- Live crabs
- Live shrimp
- Crab-pattern flies and small jigs
Techniques
- Sight-cast crabs to tailing permit on shallow flats.
- Fish crabs around wrecks and reefs in deeper water.
- Use a quiet approach and a careful presentation.
- Release fish promptly, since permit are easily stressed.
Field notes
Permit are close relatives of pompano, but they grow much bigger. Anglers often rate them among the most difficult flats fish.
Related guides
Saltwater size limits, bag limits, seasons, gear rules, and license requirements change often and differ by state and in federal waters. Some species are catch-and-release only or closed in certain areas. Check your state's current fishing regulations before you keep a fish; our state resources directory links to each state's official wildlife and fisheries agency.