UTERPermit fishing in The Everglades
In The Everglades, permit peak April–June and are around March–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Wreck fish building; some on the outside beaches and Cape Sable channels.
The last of them before the fronts.
Permit in The Everglades, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchArrivingFirst fish on the outside wrecks off Marco and Everglades City.
- AprilPeakWreck fish building; some on the outside beaches and Cape Sable channels.
- MayPeakWreck permit at their best — live crabs. North of Cape Sable is outside the Special Permit Zone; check MyFWC for the line.
- JunePeakStill on the wrecks.
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberLeavingThe last of them before the fronts.
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish permit near Marco Island, Everglades City, Chokoloskee
Mangrove islands, tidal creeks, oyster bars and the outside beaches from Marco south to Cape Sable, then Florida Bay's shallow basins and banks. Almost none of it developed. The most tide-driven water in the state.
Fish Scouter charts 2,179 grass flat, 49 artificial reef, 48 wreck, 5 channel edge spots in the The Ten Thousand Islands & Everglades map area — the kinds permit hold on.
What to use for permit
- Blue crabsWhole and small for permit and tarpon; halved or quartered on the bottom for black drum, redfish and cobia.
- Live shrimpUnder a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait.
- Leader20–30 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook1/0–3/0
- Jig head3/8–1/2 oz
- Braid15–20 lb
Feeds in 70–90°F water, best at 74–86°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch permit in The Everglades?
Peak season is April–June. Permit are in The Everglades March–October. April: Wreck fish building; some on the outside beaches and Cape Sable channels.
Where do permit hold in The Everglades?
Look on grass flat, channel edge — around Marco Island, Everglades City, Chokoloskee, Flamingo.
What is the best bait for permit in The Everglades?
Live bait: blue crabs, live shrimp. Blue crabs: Whole and small for permit and tarpon; halved or quartered on the bottom for black drum, redfish and cobia. Tackle: leader 20–30 lb fluorocarbon, hook 1/0–3/0, jig head 3/8–1/2 oz, braid 15–20 lb.
What are the rules for permit in The Everglades?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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All about permit · The Ten Thousand Islands & Everglades, the whole year