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Caught a Permit Inshore in Key Largo
Permit Fishing in Key Largo
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The Permit (Trachinotus falcatus) is one of Florida's most sought-after gamefish, known for its powerful fights and challenging nature. In the waters around Key Largo, permit can be found around patch reefs, wrecks, and occasionally on the flats, providing diverse fishing opportunities. - Permit can grow to impressive sizes between 24-48 inches and weigh between 9-60 pounds. - They're distinguished by their deeply forked tail, tall profile, and silvery coloration. - When fishing for permit, stealth and precision are essential as they're notoriously selective feeders.
Fishing Charter by Captain Jason Calhoun in December
Meet your Captain Jason Calhoun
- Florida Keys Sportfishing Action in Key Largo!
Summary
This Key Largo fishing charter delivered exciting action with Captain Jason Calhoun landing a beautiful permit on a Sunday November trip. Lock It Up Charters specializes in targeting the productive patch reefs and wrecks around Key Largo where permit, snappers, and other gamefish thrive. The 3-hour morning trip provides an efficient yet productive fishing experience, perfect for anglers wanting to secure dinner while enjoying Florida's premier fishing destination. Whether you're jigging or trolling the local waters, Captain Jason's local expertise ensures you'll hit the hot spots where permit and snapper are biting. With cooling temperatures in the Keys, the fishing remains hot—making this inshore charter ideal for families and experienced anglers alike looking for a memorable Key Largo fishing experience.
Fishing Charter with Jason Calhoun – Rates & Booking
Captain Jason Calhoun of Lock It Up Charters on Sunday November offers this productive 3-hour morning fishing adventure targeting Key Largo's famous wrecks and patch reefs. This trip accommodates up to 8 guests, making it perfect for families and small groups looking to experience the thrill of inshore fishing. All necessary gear, licenses, and bait are provided—just bring your personal items like snacks and drinks for a comfortable day on the water. Captain Jason's local knowledge ensures you'll be fishing the most productive spots where permit and snapper are actively feeding.
Recent guests have been thrilled with their experiences, with one customer commenting: "Excellent trip. Had a great time CPT J was awesome. He knew all the best spots, my kids enjoyed this so much. You will definitely not be disappointed." This charter consistently delivers both action and dinner, with a focus on species like permit and various snappers that provide both sporting action and delicious meals.
Highlights of Key Largo Inshore Fishing Charter for Barracuda and Snapper
This 3-hour morning trip offers an efficient yet highly productive fishing experience in Key Largo's rich waters. Focusing on local wrecks and inshore hotspots, you'll target permit, grey snapper, and other seasonal species that frequent these structures. The charter is specifically designed for anglers who want a quick but rewarding time on the water—whether you're an experienced angler or bringing the family for their first fishing adventure.
Captain Jason employs both jigging and trolling techniques depending on conditions, targeting the Caribbean Club area where permit and snappers are consistently found. The recent cooling temperatures in the Keys have actually improved the fishing conditions, concentrating fish around key structure. With all essential gear provided and Captain Jason's expert guidance, you'll maximize your chances of catching dinner while creating lasting memories.
Local Species Insights: Permit
Permit are among the most prized gamefish in the Florida Keys, and Key Largo offers excellent opportunities to target these powerful fighters. These silver-sided members of the jack family provide some of the most challenging and rewarding fishing in the region. Permit frequent the patch reefs, wrecks, and flats around Key Largo, often following specific tidal movements that a knowledgeable captain like Jason understands intuitively.
When targeting permit, Captain Jason employs specialized jigging techniques and strategic trolling patterns that have proven effective in the Caribbean Club area. These fish require stealth and precision—the bite can be subtle, but the fight that follows is anything but. A typical Key Largo permit ranges from 15-30 pounds, though larger specimens are occasionally encountered. The cooling fall and winter temperatures actually improve permit fishing as these fish move predictably around structure where they can be effectively targeted.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
For your 3-hour morning charter with Lock It Up Charters, plan to arrive early as trips typically depart promptly to maximize fishing time during the most productive morning hours. The vessel comfortably accommodates up to 8 guests and is well-equipped with quality fishing gear, electronics, and safety equipment. Wear light, comfortable clothing with a light jacket for morning trips, and don't forget sun protection (hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen).
While all fishing gear and licenses are included, bringing your own snacks, drinks, camera, and any personal medication is recommended. Captain Jason welcomes anglers of all skill levels and is particularly patient with beginners and children. The trip concludes back at the dock where you can have your catch cleaned and prepared for a delicious meal—with locals suggesting you "don't forget to bring back some grub for the dock pets!"
Fishing in Key Largo: Permit
The Permit (Trachinotus falcatus) is a prized gamefish belonging to the Carangidae family in the order Perciformes. These silvery fighters are instantly recognizable by their tall, compressed bodies, deeply forked tails, and elongated dorsal and anal fins. In Key Largo waters during November, permit provide some of the most challenging and rewarding fishing experiences available.
Permit Overview
Permit are highly regarded among anglers for their incredible fighting ability, cautious feeding habits, and the technical challenge they present. These powerful fish are related to pompano and jacks but are distinguished by their larger size and more discerning nature when it comes to taking bait or flies.
Permit Habitat and Distribution
Permit thrive in tropical and subtropical waters throughout the western Atlantic, with the Florida Keys being a premier destination for targeting them. They frequent various habitats including inshore flats, patch reefs, offshore reefs, and jetties around Key Largo. During cooler months, they often concentrate around structure and wrecks where water temperature remains more stable.
Permit Size and Weight
These impressive gamefish typically range from 24 to 48 inches in length and can weigh between 9 and 60 pounds. Trophy specimens exceeding 40 pounds are not uncommon in the Florida Keys, making them a substantial adversary on appropriate tackle.
Permit Diet and Behavior
Permit are primarily bottom feeders, focusing on crustaceans like crabs and shrimp. They have excellent eyesight and are notorious for their wariness, often inspecting potential food thoroughly before committing. They tend to feed more actively during moving tides, using their powerful bodies to root through sand and rubble for prey.
Permit Spawning Season
In the Florida Keys, permit typically spawn during spring and summer months when water temperatures warm. During this period, they often form larger aggregations offshore around reefs and wrecks. By November in Key Largo, many permit have transitioned to more structure-oriented feeding patterns as they prepare for cooler winter conditions.
Permit Fishing Techniques
Two primary techniques prove effective for permit around Key Largo: jigging and sight fishing. When jigging around wrecks and reefs, small bucktail jigs tipped with crab or shrimp often produce results. For sight fishing on flats, live crabs or crab-pattern flies are the preferred offering. In November, Key Largo anglers typically find permit congregating around deeper structures like the patch reefs and wrecks where Captain Jason focuses his charters.
Permit Is It Good to Eat?
While permit are legal to harvest within regulations, many anglers practice catch and release due to their sporting value. That said, permit have firm, white flesh with a mild flavor that's quite good when properly prepared. They're best enjoyed fresh, typically grilled or baked, though they're generally considered less desirable for the table than some other species like snapper.
Permit Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for permit?
A: Live crabs are the gold standard for permit bait, particularly small blue crabs or pass crabs. When fishing around Key Largo wrecks, shrimp and small crab-tipped jigs are also effective options that permit readily take.
Q: Where can I find permit near Key Largo?
A: Permit in Key Largo can be found on the flats during warmer months, but during November they often concentrate around patch reefs, channel edges, and wrecks like those targeted during Lock It Up Charters' morning trips.
Q: Is permit good to eat?
A: Permit offers good table fare with firm, white flesh and mild flavor. However, many anglers release them due to their premier sportfishing status. When kept for the table, they're best prepared simply grilled or baked to preserve their delicate flavor.
Q: When is the best time to catch permit in Key Largo?
A: While permit can be caught year-round in Key Largo, spring through fall offers the most consistent action. November represents a transition period when permit are often found around structure rather than on the open flats, making guided charters particularly valuable.
Q: What pound test should I use for permit fishing?
A: For permit fishing around Key Largo wrecks and patch reefs, 15-20 pound fluorocarbon leaders with 20-30 pound braid mainline provides the right balance of strength and stealth. When sight fishing the flats, lighter 12-15 pound leaders may be necessary for these cautious feeders.
Q: How hard do permit fight compared to other fish?
A: Permit are renowned for their powerful initial runs and dogged endurance. They typically make strong, sustained runs when hooked, often heading for structure. Pound for pound, they're considered among the strongest fighting fish in Florida waters, surpassing even many offshore species.
