Anna Maria fishing charter insiders know that permit are awesome. And we are jumping into the best permit season starting right now, in March. If you’re looking for fabulous, exciting sport fishing, Bradenton in the springtime is the place to be. We’re talking kingfish, cobia, and soon tarpon, too. And now you can add permit to your sport fishing goals.
These massive silver fighters certainly get most of their attention from recreational outings. (According to Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, nearly 90% of permit landings are from recreational fishing.) But, in my opinion, permit don’t get pursued anywhere near as much as they should. This is obvious when you compare permit pompano, a super-popular species that looks like permit’s “mini-me.” In fact, the annual pompano haul is 10 times bigger than the total permit taken.
The point is, if you’re looking for an amazing AMI sport fishing adventure with an incredible fight, a huge fish, and a delicious dinner as your reward, then tell your favorite Bradenton fishing charter captain to take you to the permit. Chances are, you’ve never landed one. And I’m here to change that.
About Permit
Permit are striking to look at. So many of the fish we see in the Bradenton area—sport fish especially—have long, torpedo-like bodies, and some have sharp, pointy faces. But permit’s size is displayed as much as much in their depth as their length. They have thin, “tall” bodies and rounded forehead, with a long dorsal fin that’s mirrored on the bottom and similarly elegant tailfins.
And they’re big. Adult permits start at about 20” and almost as many pounds, though it’s not unusual to see them at more than 25 lbs. In fact, they commonly grow as big as 50 lbs, though I’m not making any promises there. (When it comes to permit vs. pompano, the quick summary is this: Permit look a whole lot like pompano, except permit are basically twice as big.)
And awesomely for us fishing charters in Bradenton, permit love warm waters. And as always, our Sarasota Bay and inland waters are a favorite spawning spot for them, especially as they provide plenty of protected areas for the juveniles to grow big and strong.
AMI Permit Fishing
Like cobia, I fish for permit around our nearshore wrecks and reefs. And they love live bait, especially crabs and sometimes shrimp. If you hook one, watch out. Permit are famously ferocious fighters, putting every ounce of their size (and then some) into their pull. So be patient. If you fight too hard, too fast, I swear you might wear out before the fish does.
The season runs year-round in our local waters and the bag limit is generous (six per harvester). Now’s the time to take advantage.
Permit on the Dinner Table
Permit are so much fun to catch that you have to call them a sport fish. But the bonus is that they’re delicious, too. Like I just said, permit love live crabs. They eat a lot of different things, but crab is among their favorites. And like with so many species that like shellfish, that buttery flavor translates to the fish’s meat. On permit, that flavor is subtle, which means it works with all kinds of dishes, seasonings, and preparations. It’s even firm enough for the grill.
Book Your Bradenton Sport Fishing Charter This Spring
This is such an exciting time of year for AMI fishing charters. We’re hitting the water daily and having a blast, and the selection of fish species available is unbelievable. If you’re looking for excitement, this is definitely the time of year for some world-class sport fishing. Book your spot today to sign up for an adventure.
