Florida targeted fish
Permit
Trachinotus falcatus · the ghost
Nearshore wrecks, gulf wrecks in 40–80 feet, and a few hard-sand flats on the lower coast.
Season on this coast
Late spring through early fall on the wrecks. Calm, clear days are required.
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
- Slow
- Fair
- Good
- Prime
How to fish them
Spot them on the wreck with polarized glasses, then drift a crab. They are leader-shy and current-smart. A well-placed crab beats any lure.
Typical size. Schoolie fish 8–15 lb; wreck permit commonly 20–40 lb.
Bait
- Live crabs
- Permit jigs
- Small pinfish
Regulations
Permit regulations are strict, including fly-fishing and harvest limits. Most gulf permit fishing is catch-and-release.
Captain’s brief
What’s biting, and where to start
Sign in and ask for a one-page briefing for a city, a month, and a target fish. Written for this coast — not a generic chatbot.