When is the best time to fish for permit in the Keys?
April to October, when the Keys tourism council grades permit Peak, with September and October the standout flats months. Captains sight-cast crabs on the flats and shallow wrecks. The whole Keys is a Special Permit Zone: 22 inches, one per person, two per boat, and closed from April 1 to July 31.
What permit are
Permit are deep-bodied jacks, common to 50 pounds per FWC, living offshore near structure and inshore over grass flats, sand and channels; the Florida Museum says they often swim in water under two feet deep and live at least 23 years. FWC notes a crushing plate at the back of the mouth for clams and crabs, which is why anglers cast live crabs. The Florida Museum says Keys permit spawn mainly in May and June. The IGFA all-tackle record is 60 pounds.
When permit run in the Keys
The Keys tourism council grades permit Peak in April, May, June, July, August, September and October, Good in March and November, and Lower in January, February and December. Winter is disputed: the council and Blind Squirrel grade it weak, while Dream Catcher Charters calls January and February good months for large permit. Shadow Caster says spring and summer are most reliable.
How Key West captains fish for permit
Named by Shadow Caster, Blind Squirrel, Charter Boat Linda D, Key West Fishing Deals, Conch ’N Around, Recon and Florida Straits on their own websites or booking pages.
- Shadow Caster Charters runs private inshore permit charters, calling permit one of the most technical species in the Keys.
- Blind Squirrel sight-fishes shallow-water wrecks for permit with crabs.
- Key West Fishing Deals’ 12-hour Marquesas trip sight-casts spring permit inside the lagoon on light tackle or fly.
- Recon Sportfishing lists permit on its calm, shallow backcountry trips.
Can you keep permit?
The Special Permit Zone covers state and adjacent federal waters south of Cape Florida, which takes in all of the Keys. Multiple hooks with natural bait and snatching are prohibited.
Every limit for every common Keys fish is on what fish you can keep.
| Rule | FWC, Keys state waters |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | 22 in FL |
| Bag limit | 1 per person, 2 per boat |
| Season | Closed Apr 1 to Jul 31 (Special Permit Zone) |
| Source | FWC: Permit |
Which trip to book for permit
A private flats or backcountry trip with a guide who names permit; a full day, or a Marquesas trip, gives the most shots. Private full days ran $1,250–$2,000 per boat in the October 2026 scan. See flats and backcountry fishing and Marquesas Keys fishing.
Read for this page on 6 October 2026: FWC: permit profile ; FWC: permit rules ; Florida Museum: permit ; Bonefish & Tarpon Trust .
Check it at the source
- FWC — Permit regulations Permit rules, including the Special Permit Zone that covers the Keys. Link checked 6 September 2026
Permit: questions
When is permit season in the Florida Keys?
The fishing is best from April to October by the Keys tourism council’s calendar, with September and October standing out. Harvest is a different matter: in the Special Permit Zone, which covers the Keys, permit is closed from April 1 to July 31.
Can you keep a permit in the Keys?
Outside the April 1 to July 31 closure, one per person and two per boat, at least 22 inches to the fork, under the Special Permit Zone rules. Most flats anglers release them.
What bait do you use for permit?
Live crabs, mostly. FWC describes anglers casting live crabs to schools of permit, and Blind Squirrel sight-fishes shallow wrecks the same way. Some guides cast flies to them on the Marquesas flats.
Next step
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