"...there are only four locations with outstanding permit fisheries"

by Garrett VeneKlasen

Realistically, there are only four locations with outstanding permit fisheries:

1. the Florida Keys,
2. Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula,
3. Belize, and
4. Honduras.

As all these destinations are located fairly close together in the Caribbean. As previously stated, optimal permit fishing often coincides with windy weather. This means March and April are good bets, with May and June coming in a close second. If you're just after permit, plan to book in the spring. If you want to include tarpon and other species in your daily routine, book in May and June when the wind calms down.

While on the subject of wind, it's probably important to mention a few tackle details. Fly rod/line-weight choice is essential. Virtually all permit flies are quite heavy and wind resistant. Some of them, like the McCrab, are almost a health hazard to cast. Throw in a 20-knot crosswind and it is impossible to fish anything less than a stiff 10-weight rod.

Fly choice is more simple than one would think. Though I've seen as many as a dozen different crab patterns offered by a single tackle retailer, I prefer to fish exclusively with either the "Merkin" or "Raghead" crab patterns. Off all the artificial crabs, they are the easiest to tie and cast. Fly size and color is important. I usually carry two colors -- a light beige/cream for light bottoms and an olive brown for muddy/grassy flats. If I'm fishing a shallow flat, I'll use a lightly weighted (1/24th oz. lead/barbell eyes) size #2 crab. A heavier (1/16 oz. lead eyes) 1/0 pattern is better for fish working deeper water.

The Florida Keys -- There are perhaps more permit caught in the Florida Keys than any other flats destination. The reason is not because there are necessarily higher numbers of fish, rather Florida guides are far and away superior at consistently putting their clients onto permit. Once the fish are found, the fine-tuned boat handling combined with the guide's play by play instruction gives anglers the added edge often-times missing in other locations. This is an important consideration especially for the unseasoned individuals who need the coaching.

The majority of the Keys' permit fishing is done out of Key West and Sugar Loaf Key (especially below 7-mile bridge). Optimal fishing periods actually often coincide with the Key's windiest months, as permit are most comfortable on the flats in choppy water conditions. Mid-March through April is considered prime with a slight lull in June, July and August. Permit fishing picks up again from September through mid-October.

Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula -- The Yucatan Peninsula is undoubtedly one of the best permit destinations worldwide. The fish population is probably second to none. The expansive flats from Boca Paila to Ascension Bay hold tremendous numbers of permit, and it is not uncommon to see dozens of them in a single day's angling.

Mexican guides (generally speaking) are quite good and know their particular flats fisheries intimately. Many lodges' flats boats are poorly designed and make quite a bit of noise when the water gets choppy. This factor often scares permit off before the angler has a chance to get into casting range. Casa Blanca Lodge (located on the southern edge of Ascension Bay) is one outfitter who's remedied this situation by completely upgrading their flats skiffs.

Aside from great permit fishing there is an equally-impressive bonefish population. Depending on the location, decent tarpon and snook action can be encountered (especially from late May through June). Reef and offshore fishing are an added attraction.

Belize -- Belize's permit action can generally be broken down into two specific areas which include Placencia and the Turneffe Islands. These two locations differ greatly in many ways, but the permit fishing in both remains constant and dependable during the peak months of April-June. Aside from traditional lodges, one other option is to book a mother ship based trip. Several outfitters offer packages based out of luxury yachts that cruise sections of the Barrier Reef (accessing new flats on a daily basis).

Turneffe Islands -- Though the expanse of surrounding flats is somewhat small, Turneffe Island's permit fishing is quite excellent. There are two full-service lodges on Turneffe; Turneffe Flats Lodge and Turneffe Island Lodge. Turneffe Island Lodge is a bit more diver oriented, while Turneffe Flats focuses more on angling and fishes with high-quality Dolphin flats skiffs. Aside from tarpon, Turneffe offers strong summer tarpon, reef and offshore (and decent bonefish) fishing.

Placencia-- Located some 80 miles (as the tern flies) south of Belize City, Placencia is a sleepy little resort town located on the south-central coastal mainland (Placencia can be reached bi-weekly by Maya air).

Honduras -- Much like Belize, Honduras offers two separate permit fisheries. One is a lodge-type scenario on Guanaja Island. The other is a do-it-yourself trip on Roatan Island.

Guanaja Island -- Posada del Sol Lodge operates a beautiful operation catering both to divers and anglers. Though the bonefishing would be rated as decent, high permit numbers keep things quite interesting [call (800) 642-3483 for more details].

Roatan Island -- Permit fishing here is outstanding, but Roatan island is definitely for the adventure-seeking individual who's looking for the no-frills permit excursion. There is only one part-time guide for hire on the island -- Sedrin Baudin can usually be reached by calling the following numbers (011-504-45-2271/2163/0900). Sahsa airlines has a weekly flight direct to Roatan from Houston, Texas.