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Caught a Permit Fishing in Key Largo
Permit Fishing in Key Largo
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The Permit (Trachinotus falcatus) is one of the most coveted gamefish in the Florida Keys, particularly around Key Largo waters. These powerful fighters belong to the jack family (Carangidae) and are known for their distinctive disc-like shape, deeply forked tail, and silvery scales that shine brilliantly in clear waters. - Permit typically measure between 24-48 inches and can weigh anywhere from 9-60 pounds when mature. - They inhabit various environments including flats, reefs, and jetties, making Key Largo an ideal habitat. - Distinguishable from pompano by their larger size and orange coloration on fins and bellies rather than yellow.
Fishing Charter by Captain Jason Calhoun in December
Meet your Captain Jason Calhoun
- Florida Keys Sportfishing Action in Key Largo!
Summary
Gabriela and her crew joined us for an early morning summer fishing charter out of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. We launched at 8:00 am under partly cloudy skies for our 2 Hour Trip with Lock It Up Charters. The water conditions were perfect for targeting permit, and the crew managed to connect with one of these challenging gamefish. This Saturday August trip showcased why Key Largo's coral reef ecosystem provides such incredible inshore fishing opportunities. The permit was caught while jigging in the clear waters before the afternoon rain moved in. Our local knowledge of these productive waters helped put the anglers on fish, resulting in smiles all around as they landed their prized catch.
Fishing Charter with Jason Calhoun – Rates & Booking
Captain Jason Calhoun of Lock It Up Charters runs this Saturday August fishing trip out of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. Our 2 Hour Trip (AM) is specifically designed for anglers who want to maximize their fishing time during the prime morning hours when conditions are typically best and fish are most active. This trip is perfect for targeting permit and other species that frequent these productive waters. As a licensed captain with extensive local experience, I know exactly where to find fish in the reef ecosystem throughout the year. All necessary fishing gear is provided, so you can focus on the excitement of the catch rather than equipment logistics.
Highlights of 2 Hour Trip (AM)
This early morning charter gives you the advantage of calmer seas and feeding fish before the afternoon weather patterns develop. The waters around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park offer excellent opportunities for targeting permit - one of Florida's most challenging and rewarding gamefish. These clear, shallow waters provide the perfect habitat for permit, especially during the summer months.
On this particular trip, we focused specifically on permit fishing techniques, including both jigging and trolling methods. The early start time helped us avoid afternoon thunderstorms while putting us on the water when permit are typically most active. The success of Gabriela's crew demonstrates how productive these morning trips can be for anglers of various experience levels.
Local Species Insights: Permit
Permit are one of Key Largo's most prized inshore gamefish, known for their strength, speed, and selectivity. These fish thrive in the clear waters around coral reefs, sandy flats, and channel edges throughout the Florida Keys. In summer months, they can be found feeding around structure in slightly deeper water during morning hours.
The most effective techniques for targeting permit include sight fishing with crabs or shrimp on the flats during incoming tides, or jigging along deeper edges as we did on this successful trip. These fish require stealth, patience, and precision - which makes landing one all the more rewarding. The clear waters of John Pennekamp provide excellent visibility for spotting these silvery gamefish before they detect your presence.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
Our fishing charters include all necessary tackle, bait, and fishing licenses. Our boat comfortably accommodates small groups, making it perfect for family outings or fishing with friends. For morning trips, we typically meet at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park around 7:30 am to get on the water by 8:00 am.
I recommend bringing sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), a light jacket in case of changing weather, and a camera to document your catch. Water and light snacks are welcome aboard. Wear non-marking, non-slip shoes for safety on the deck. Our focus is always on providing a safe, comfortable, and productive fishing experience for all skill levels.
Fishing in Key Largo: Permit
The Permit (Trachinotus falcatus) belongs to the Carangidae family within the order Perciformes. These prized gamefish feature a distinctive deep, flat body with elongated dorsal and anal fins plus a deeply forked tail. Their silvery scales with dark markings on the dorsal fin have earned them the nickname "Rough Back" among some anglers. In Key Largo waters this August, these challenging fish provide some of the most rewarding catches for dedicated anglers.
Permit Overview
Permit are highly sought-after gamefish known for their powerful fights, selective feeding habits, and challenging nature. They're considered one of the premier shallow water targets in the Florida Keys, requiring precision casting, proper presentation, and patience to hook successfully. Anglers prize them for both their fighting abilities and the technical challenge they present.
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 diverse habitats including coral reefs, sandy flats, channel edges, bridge pilings, and offshore wrecks. Near Key Largo, they're commonly found around the flats and reefs of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, especially during summer months when water temperatures are optimal.
Permit Size and Weight
These impressive fish typically range from 24 to 48 inches in length, with weights varying from 9 pounds for younger specimens up to 60 pounds for trophy-sized adults. The average catch in the Keys often falls in the 15-30 pound range, offering substantial fighting power on appropriate tackle.
Permit Diet and Behavior
Permit feed primarily on crustaceans, with crabs and shrimp making up the bulk of their diet. They also consume small bivalves, worms, and occasionally small fish. They're known for their cautious feeding behavior, often scrutinizing potential food before committing. They typically feed most actively during moving tides, especially incoming tides that bring food into their habitat.
Permit Spawning Season
Permit typically spawn during warmer months from late spring through early fall, with peak activity occurring in summer. They form large aggregations around offshore structures during spawning periods, often in deeper water than where they're commonly targeted by flats anglers. Water temperature plays a crucial role in triggering spawning behavior, with 78-85°F being ideal.
Permit Fishing Techniques
Several techniques prove effective when targeting permit in Key Largo waters. Sight fishing the flats with live crabs is perhaps the most traditional approach, requiring a stealthy presentation and accurate casting. Fly fishing with crab patterns works well for purists, particularly on sunny days with good visibility. In deeper water, jigging with bucktail jigs tipped with shrimp or crab chunks can be productive. In August, anglers around Key Largo often find permit feeding actively on the flats during early morning incoming tides or staging along deeper channel edges adjacent to the flats.
Permit Is It Good to Eat?
While permit are legal to harvest (following applicable size and bag limits), most anglers practice catch-and-release with these prized gamefish. Their flesh is considered good table fare with a mild, sweet flavor and firm texture. However, their fighting qualities and relative scarcity make them more valuable as a sportfish than as a food source for most anglers. Those who do prepare permit typically grill, bake, or blacken the fillets.
Permit Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for permit?
A: Live crabs are the premier bait for permit, with small blue crabs and pass crabs being top choices. Fresh shrimp can also be effective, particularly when fished on light tackle with minimal weight.
Q: Where can I find permit near Key Largo?
A: Permit frequent the flats and reefs around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, especially during incoming tides. They can also be found around bridge pilings, channel edges, and occasionally on deeper reefs offshore.
Q: Is permit good to eat?
A: Permit has white, firm flesh with a mild flavor that's considered good eating. However, most anglers practice catch-and-release due to the species' sporting value and to maintain healthy populations.
Q: When is the best time to catch permit in Key Largo?
A: Summer months (June through September) typically offer the best permit fishing in Key Largo, with August being particularly productive. The best times are usually during incoming tides in the early morning or late afternoon when water temperatures are favorable.
Q: What tackle should I use for permit fishing?
A: Medium spinning tackle with 15-20lb test line is standard for flats fishing, while heavier tackle may be needed for deeper water. A 7-8 weight fly rod is preferred by fly anglers. Leaders should be fluorocarbon in the 15-20lb range to remain invisible to these wary fish.
Q: How hard is it to catch permit?
A: Permit are considered one of the most challenging inshore species to catch consistently. Their exceptional eyesight, cautious feeding behavior, and powerful runs make them a premier target that often requires experience and patience to successfully land.
