Catching the Elusive Permit

Tarpon Caye Belize Founder, Charlie Leslie has been guiding permit fishermen on the flats off Placencia for over 30 years. We think both beginner and expert alike will benefit from this sage advice, straight from the Master himself!

Preparing for your Permit Fishing Adventure at Tarpon Caye Belize: The Permit is one of the most difficult fish to catch on a fly. Fishing in Southern Belize where the flats are shallow; tides should be taken into consideration.

During the months of November through February its best you fish around the new and full moon; for that is when you get the spring tides, and also that’s the highest tides you will get in these months, due to regular cold fronts passing through that normally keeps our tides below average.

March through October, the first and the last quarter moons are best, for you can fish two tides in a day. We do have tarpon, bonefish and other species to fill your day between tides.

Preparing yourself for your fishing trip:

First of all, your casting should be above average. Make sure you do some practicing prior to your fishing trip, for your presentation and accuracy for most important for a hook up, and please do remember: wind is a big factor in this area; so you need to also practice some casting in the wind.

Selecting a rod, if you have not already have; a 9 or 10 wt rod will do. If you prefer a fast tip rod, you can underline your rod in normal wind. But, I personally prefer a medium action rod for a softer presentation under all conditions.

Here is some known fly pattern: Best tied on # 4 and # 6 hooks. - Merkins - Rag head - Mantis Shrimp - Magoo Special - Calvo Crab (new) - Etc…

Colors: - Tan - Brown - Half & Half - With Chartreuse thread - With Mini dumbbell eyes or Metal Bead chain eyes

Techniques: Here are some techniques we have developed over the years: presenting the fly to tailing fish as softly as you can, is very important. Especially if you are fishing to a school for they are spookier than the singles and doubles. Tailing permits on the flats are feeding permit. In order to stand a chance of getting a hook up, you must present the fly on his dinner plate, and don’t be in a hurry to strip it back in unless you made a bad cast. A permit will circle its dinner plate to see what comes on it when he is digging. If your fly is on the plate at that time that’s when you make one or two inch strips. If the fish goes down over your fly, make a short set with your line. DO NOT raise the rod, for you may not feel the take. You may feel a light tapping on your line if so, set right away; for the tapping you feel is the permit crushing your fly and if he does not like the taste, he exhales the fly in a heartbeat.

After the hook up: When the hook-up comes, raise the rod as high as possible and keep the line clear of your rod butt and other obstructions. The bigger fish may stay and try to take your fly off on the bottom, for he thinks it’s a crab nipping their lips. But, when he finds out differently, he takes off like a bat out of hell. Keep your hands off the reel when the fish is running; for one touch of the reel could snap your leader.

After all this is done, wait for further instructions from your guide; for that will come depending on the situation you are in at that time. Our guides are very knowledgeable of the sport, so he will be giving you a lot more information and instructions and will be talking you through this journey.