Capturing glory

They say fooling permit on fly is the pinnacle of shallow water fishing success.

For those who haven’t already achieved this level of fame, the following advice will stack the odds in your favor when going up against the Florida Keys’ most elusive adversary.

The season…

Although these silvery slabs of steel can be found roaming Florida Keys flats during any time of the year, February through November provide the greatest number of shots with May through September really standing out as prime time. This pattern makes perfect sense when one considers that these mysterious flats stalkers have a preference for warm water, not to mention that the high summer sun makes sight-fishing them much less of a challenge.

Spawning rituals primarily take place during the spring in the near-shore waters adjacent to the island chain, with large numbers of ten to twenty pound fish returning to the flats and their accompanying channels from July through September. Though permit typically show an increase in activity during overcast conditions, the phantom-like fish are much easier to locate with a bright sun over the angler’s shoulders. If the rod man can handle the breeze, the windier the better! During such conditions, a loud “plunk” often gets the fish’s attention. On slick calm days, the same loud “plunk” will send permit racing for cover.

The tides…

Permit bite best during the strong tidal phases generally associated with the new and full moon periods. Anglers stand the greatest odds of success when the incoming water floods the grassy, pot-hole marked plateaus during the morning hours. Working with this time frame, anglers can fish the highest water while the sun is at its peak.

When dealing with weak tides, you may not get the opportunity to stalk permit on the skinniest, upper reaches of the flats- prime bonefish territory- due to the fact that these glorified members of the jack family prefer slightly deeper water. Therefore, most of your efforts during weak or low tidal stages should be invested fishing the edges surrounding the flats and any nearby channels. Nevertheless, there are a number of skinny water stretches throughout the Florida Keys where permit do, in fact, hold during all tidal stages. Bottom line, go when you can go regardless of existing conditions. Often, dedicated anglers are rewarded with the catch-of-a-lifetime during the most unfavorable conditions.

Throw the correct flies…

While it is common knowledge that permit eat a wide range of prey items, especially when prowling Gulf Coast wrecks throughout the Southwest region, it is crucial on the Florida Key’s flats to present a fly that imitates the fish’s favorite delicacy. Live silver-dollar size crabs and big shrimp are the bait of choice for any spin-fisher. Therefore, it makes sense that the most popular permit flies are crustacean patterns. Del’s Merkin is the most widely used permit fly in the world and for good reason- the Merkin imitates a crab diving for cover. The most effective Merkin patterns have large dumbbell eyes tied close to the eye of the hook.

Another seldom-refused hors d’oeuvre is a juicy shrimp. If live crabs are not readily available, conventional fishermen turn to the largest shrimp in the well. Thus, a slow sinking shrimp imitation will get the job done for fly fishermen as well. Stick with natural colors like tan, ginger, and brown.

Lastly, when sight fishing permit in relatively deeper channels, a streamer type pattern may be necessary to create the ruckus you’re looking for. With either of the above, the overall look of the fly is obviously important, though it is secondary to the action you impart on to it.

Come prepared with the right equipment…

For success against such a worthy adversary, anglers will likely want to have a ten weight fly rod on hand. A nine weight will get the job done in light wind conditions and when presenting un-weighted flies. However, most permit flies are heavier and bulkier than typical bonefish flies, and are also more difficult to cast, making a ten weight the ideal weapon of choice. With prime conditions consisting of ten to fifteen knots of wind, a matched weight forward floating fly line will facilitate properly presenting the imitation in the stiff breeze.

To cover the bases, if at all possible, have two outfits at the ready- one with a sinking crab pattern, and one with a surface stripping fly. This will eliminate the need to have to re-rig if fishing both flats and deeper channels, where an angler would want to switch from a crab pattern to the stripping shrimp imitation.

Hone your casting skills...

With permit, as with bonefish and tarpon, the most accurate fly casters see the greatest results. I have had less-talented fly fishermen score the ghost and the king, but only the best fool the wary permit. To make the most of each encounter, fly casters have to throw the tightest loops and land the fly in the perfect spot.

Regardless of conditions, stay low, and side cast if necessary to avoid spooking these keen-eyed warriors. The closer to the target, the more likely the fish will see an angler coming, so get the cast off as early as possible. Tarpon will eat at the boat, permit will not!

An accurate back cast will also open the door for a few additional opportunities. There are occasions when a single or pair of prowling permit unexpectedly appears on the wrong side of the skiff, and the boat can’t be turned fast enough to accommodate a forward cast. This is when hours of practice well in advance of the big day on the water will pay big dividends with these cautious carnivores.

To catch permit, one must first find permit…

Encountered from Massachusetts to southeastern Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and throughout the Caribbean, permit are however, most abundant in South Florida. Here in the sub-tropical climates, they hold in a variety of environments, and understanding their characteristics and feeding behaviors will help with the most effective presentations.

Experts know permit are notorious for cruising the edges of grass flats which is clearly where these rubbery-lipped fish are most often stalked by fly fishermen. Closely study the surroundings of any flat more than two feet deep. However, it is not unlikely to see permit slice through water less than half that depth. Like all jacks, permit prefer moving water, so open fields with the strongest tidal flow always conceal the greatest number of fish. When permit are located on a flat, they are generally in the feeding mode. Feathered imitations presented to singles or pairs actively mudding should do well.

Distinct channels leading to and from the flats are prime permit havens and often hold concentrations of fish. Permit often stage at the head of a channel where the current falls off into a deeper trough. They will also prowl the edges of the channel just off to the side of the main current flow. If you encounter a weedline along such a channel, you’ve just been blessed with a best case scenario. Permit regularly scout for crustaceans in these weeds, with occasional popping amongst the vegetation revealing their presence.

See what you’re looking for…

To stand a chance at walking away a winner, a fly fisherman has to have the ability to see the fish before the fish sees you. This is not drifting a live crab back over a wreck to fish you can’t see; this is skinny water sight-fishing at its finest. And make no mistake about it, these fish have phenomenal eyesight.

In clear water with very little current, packs of permit cruising from one point to the next typically have dark backs with clearly visible black highlights. From the side they appear to have an iridescent look with little color differentiation. When actively foraging on a flat, permit typically have a dark-brown look, often blending in with their mudding actions. Permit hunting relatively deeper channels leading to and from the flats often appear to have a tan silhouette. It’s in this situation when brilliant silver flashes often reveal the presence of a tightly-knit group of schooling fish.

In any scenario, the further away the angler lays eyes on the target, the more time he or she will have to determine the general direction the fish is moving in and at what depth. This will help decide precisely where to land the fly.

Read the fish…

Legendary fly rodders have the ability to read a permit’s behavior before and after the cast. Foraging permit will often mud then move on. They generally move up current or off to the left or right after each mud, and usually in a consistent direction. While in channels, hunting packs of permit often hold in one spot while waiting for tasty morsels to come their way, often rising toward the surface to get a better look at passing by morsels.

Watch closely to see how each fish reacts to the fly. If throwing a fast sinking fly to a permit actively foraging on a flat, the fish will typically tip its tail up as it follows the fly to the bottom. With a fly stripped through a channel, the idea is to entice the fish to chase the imitation much like a jack would chase a mullet. After they rush the pattern, they’ll usually turn off the moment they’ve either inhaled the fly, or lost interest. Regardless of situation, if the fish completely lacks reaction, it’s highly likely it did not see the fly. When this occurs, slide the imitation away from the fish without alerting it and cast again. Understanding these behavior patterns will help maximize time on the water.

The correct presentation…

One of the most important aspects to fly fishing for permit is to stay focused. Once an angler spots a target, he or she must never take eyes off the fish or run the risk of losing it. Re-locating the nearly invisible character can eat up valuable time. Before casting, take into consideration the depth of the fish, speed of the water, direction of the wind, and exactly where the fly should land. All of this translates into the angler always being prepared with fly line organized and at the ready so an accurate cast can be made at a moment’s notice. The angler must avoid being distracted from mishaps such as fly line blowing off the deck or getting tangled in the feet. Make the first shot count- there may not be a second opportunity.

When fishing a flat with strong tidal flow, the best bet will be a fast-sinking crustacean pattern. Lead the fish far enough so that the current delivers the fly right to the fish’s front door, or at the very least, in the fish’s path of travel. Let the imitation descend to the bottom. As the fly sinks, watch the fish closely for a reaction.

When casting to permit holding in a relatively deeper channel, the angler must lead the fish far enough ahead so the current again presents the offering in the fish’s face. When the fly is dead ahead of the target, quick strips will often trigger a reaction strike. Unlike on a flat where the best bet is to allow a crab or shrimp pattern to sit motionless, in this situation, the imitation should appear to attempt to elude the predator.

Feel the strike…

When presenting a crustacean pattern, knowing precisely when the permit inhales the fly is very important. If the fish moves toward the fly and tips its sickle-like tail, hold very still and feel for a soft thump. When the thump happens, a steady, long strip is all that is required to come tight. Hold on and be ready to clear fly line in a hurry!

When employing the stripping method along the edge or at the mouth of a channel, watch for the fish to chase the fly like it hasn’t eaten in a week. Keep stripping until it connects. Most of the time, permit will quickly tear off after consuming the imitation.

While employing any or all of the above techniques and tactics far from guarantee success, they will however, provide anglers, with a much greater level of confidence in their quest at capturing fly fishing glory.