Bonefish - Permit - Tarpon - Barracuda - Snook

Permit

IGFA Record 56 lbs.

Average Weight 5 - 20 lbs.

Permit are a difficult fish to locate and catch and available seasonally in Holbox. Their mouth appears to be as tough as steel, sometimes a sharp hook-point being the only thing between a lost fish and success, and slack line can end the battle. With all of the odds going to the fish, a surprising number of anglers target it. The Permit is a member of the Pompano family, which includes the African Pompano and several species of Threadfin. For a light tackle quarry, it grows to a large size; and of course, it's chief characteristic is fussiness. It'll refuse artificials one after the other, spooks easily; and if hooked will run for mangrove roots, snags, almost anything in an attempt to break free.

From a boat over wrecks and wading on the flats, anglers can entice Permit with live shrimp, conch, clams, or crabs. Due to the spooky nature of the fish, use only the amount of weight necessary to give a sufficient cast. In general, small minnows and cut mullet draw less attention from these fish, but if it's all you have then use a chunk of mullet. Most likely, they'll spurn it. In fact, for the several fish sighted and approached per day, the great majority will not be hooked-- even when using live shrimp.

FLY EQUIPMENT & TACKLE

The 10-weight fly outfit is pretty much the ideal; and the new graphite blanks, third or fourth generation, are much lighter than the older versions. You can cast them for hours without tiring. As with other forms of salt water fly fishing, the 9-ft rod is standard. The set length has been derived from decades of casting from skiffs and by wading. Not only is it ideal for the flats, but the 9-footer works well in deep-water situations. Lines are either floating or neutral-bouyancy intermediates, and the reels are 'mucho expensivo'. They have to be, because you'll need an excellent drag. Most high-end models designed to hold a 9 or 10-weght line, plus 300 yards of 20-lb dacron backing, will make good Permit reels. It's your choice, either a Fin Nor, Penn, Ross, Islander, or Pate.

SPINNING EQUIPMENT & TACKLE

The best spinning rods are rated Medium salt water or Heavy freshwater. Lengths vary from 6 1/2 to 7 feet. Here, too, you'll notice these are more or less standard salt water lengths, developed over years of casting upon the brine. As far as line goes, and you want it to go a good distance, 20-lb test is a little heavy. It's not too heavy for Permit, but it just doesn't cast well with light baits or jigs. A better choice are the 12 or 14-lb test copolymers. As a rule, it's been our experience that all monofilament lines, other than those designed for Tournament or World Record work, are under-rated. Therefore, 12-lb test actually breaks at 13 or 14 pounds of pressure. Permit don't require shock leaders or wire. The spinning line is doubled with a Spider Hitch or (better) a Bimini Twist . The line need only be doubled for two or three feet, the hook attached directly to it. The best hook sizes are 1/0 or, most ideal, the 2/0. An ideal bend and point for Permit is found in the Eagle Claw style. By all means, sharpen the hook even though you think it's sharp enough. It isn't. Any form of sinker or weight is discouraged whenever possible. If a sinker has to be used, employ the minimum weight necessary, and keep it well up from the bait.