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October 17, 2025
The Lower Keys and Key West are well known for being a fantastic permit fishery. Permit are often called the “Holy Grail” of the Big Three flats species and are widely considered the most difficult to catch.
The Lower Keys and Key West are well known for being a fantastic permit fishery. Permit are often called the “Holy Grail” of the Big Three flats species and are widely considered the most difficult to catch. In recent years, the Florida Keys fishing guide community has worked extremely hard to protect and conserve this incredible fish.
Permit spend part of their lives offshore on coral reefs and shipwrecks, and part of their time on the flats of the Florida Keys. They push onto shallow flats to feed on the plentiful crabs and shrimp found throughout the Lower Keys.
Permit anglers are a different breed. Ask any permit angler how many they’ve caught, and they’ll know the number immediately. Anyone who’s spent time chasing permit knows that you may only get one real shot in a day — sometimes none. Permit fishing demands a level of patience and focus that many anglers simply don’t have.
Sure, there are other destinations where you can catch permit, but it’s widely accepted that Florida Keys permit are the largest and most challenging in the world. If you want to see how you measure up as an angler, get up on the bow — let’s find out what you’re made of.
Permit fishing on the flats is best from July through mid-October, with another strong window in the spring. Anglers need to be ready to make long casts in all kinds of conditions. And remember: the wind is your friend. When there’s a breeze pushing across the flat, permit tend to let their guard down just enough.
Permit in the Lower Keys are big, smart, and rarely forgiving — exactly what makes this fishery so addicting. The combination of white sand flats, turtle grass meadows, shallow edges, and deeper basins creates a mix of perfect environments for permit to feed.
Unlike some destinations where permit are more opportunistic, Keys permit require accuracy, patience, and an understanding of how fish behave in different conditions. Every shot matters. Every cast is a chance to make something incredible happen.
Depending on tides, weather, and time of year, we may fish:
Permit are highly sensitive to light, wind, and tide stages. Each piece of their behavior helps decide where we fish on any given day. That’s a big part of what makes this fishery challenging — and unbelievably rewarding.
A permit trip often involves long, quiet stretches of scanning for wakes, tails, and shadows. When a fish appears, things happen fast — from identifying the angle, to choosing the fly, to making the cast before the fish senses the boat.
You’ll learn:
Whether you’re an experienced permit angler or chasing your first one, Jesse will help set up the shot and coach you through the moment.
For permit, we typically use:
Spin anglers can use:
Everything you’ll need for the day is provided — flies, leaders, and top-tier gear.
Peak windows are:
Because permit fishing is so dependent on weather and tide, flexible dates often lead to the best chances for success.
Permit fishing requires a guide who’s patient, calm, observant, and willing to grind all day for a single opportunity. Jesse’s years of guiding in the Lower Keys — combined with his own obsession with challenging fish — make him a perfect fit for anglers serious about permit.
No shortcuts. No rushing. Just real shots at one of the hardest fish in saltwater.
These trips fill quickly, especially during summer and spring tides. Lock in your dates early and let’s get you on the bow.
Call/Text: (407) 448-2017
Email: Capt.JesseRegister@live.com
(407) 448-2017
Let’s get your trip on the books. Send over a few details and I’ll reach out personally to lock in your dates.