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How to Rig for Permit

Trachinotus falcatus

Permit are wary, hard-fighting relatives of pompano that tail on shallow flats and school over offshore wrecks in South Florida and the Keys. A live crab is the bait they cannot resist, cast quietly ahead of a moving fish rather than on top of it. They are prized as a sport fish and nearly always released, and special protections apply in parts of Florida.

Answer at a glance
Best rig
Carolina Rig
Best bait
Live crab (silver-dollar size) on wrecks or cast to tailing fish on the flats
Where
boat, kayak
Typical size
15–35 in
Season
Peak season: spring, summer
Realistic Carolina Rig fishing rig setup
#1 Best Match

Carolina Rig

intermediateboat · kayak

A long leader trails behind a sliding weight, letting soft plastics or cut bait drift naturally near structure. A step up in complexity from the high-low rig, worth learning once you're fishing deeper water.

  • Main line10-20 lb monofilament
  • Leader15-25 lb fluorocarbon
  • Leader length18-24in from swivel to hook
  • Hooks1/0 - 3/0 circle hook on 20 - 30lb fluorocarbon
  • WeightLight egg sinker or none on the flats, heavier on wrecks
  • Line to sinkerSlides freely above bead and swivel, no fixed drop length
  • BaitLive crab (silver-dollar size) on wrecks or cast to tailing fish on the flats
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Realistic Freeline Rig fishing rig setup
Freeline Rig
No weight at all, just a hook tied straight to the line.
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Source & regulation note

Technique guidance is educational. Seasons, size limits, bag limits, closures, and protected areas can change. Always verify the current rules before fishing or keeping fish.

FishBase species profile ↗NOAA Fisheries / state agencies ↗Editorial methodology

Fishing regulations vary by location and season. Check current local regulations before fishing.

Last reviewed: 2026-09-26

Common Questions

What is the best rig for Permit?

The Carolina Rig is the top recommendation for Permit. A long leader trails behind a sliding weight, letting soft plastics or cut bait drift naturally near structure. A step up in complexity from the high-low rig, worth learning once you're fishing deeper water.

What bait works for Permit?

Check the recommended rig cards above for bait notes specific to Permit.

When is the best time to catch Permit?

Peak season: spring, summer. Typical size runs 15–35 in. Always check current regulations before keeping fish.

Where do you catch Permit?

Permit is caught while boat, kayak fishing. Permit are wary, hard-fighting relatives of pompano that tail on shallow flats and school over offshore wrecks in South Florida and the Keys. A live crab is the bait they cannot resist, cast quietly ahead of a moving fish rather than on top of it. They are prized as a sport fish and nearly always released, and special protections apply in parts of Florida.