Key West Permit Fishing Charters

Key West Permit Fishing Charters

Best Permit Fishing Charters in Key West

Key West: 45 fishing charters available
Excellent
4.7 / 5
(196 reviews)
Key West
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $750
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(86 reviews)
Key West
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $500
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(69 reviews)
Key West
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $650
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(16 reviews)
Key West
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $550
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(56 reviews)
Key West
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $600
Excellent
4.7 / 5
(136 reviews)
Stock Island
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $500
Excellent
4.8 / 5
(236 reviews)
Key West
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $500
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(100 reviews)
Stock Island
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $500

Permit Fishing in Key West

Permit
  • Size 10 to 30lbs
  • Food Value Good
  • Game Qualities Excellent
  • Habitats Inshore, Nearshore, Reef, Flats, Backcountry

(Trachinotus falcatus)

Discover the “Permit capital of the world” with a Key West Permit fishing guide. At the southernmost point of the US, the warm, shallow waters are ideal for Permit. Head to the inshore flats or beyond to “The Lakes” and Marquesas Island Toll and discover some of the best Permit fishing in the world.  

What to Expect

Permit put up an incredible fight but catching their bite isn’t straightforward. These spooky fish need a lot of attention, skill, and carefulness to land.
 
While Permit eat a range of different crustaceans, they’ll flee at the hint that they’re being hunted. Fishing enthusiasts will love this game of cat and mouse, while beginners may not find it to their taste.
 
You want a light vessel with a shallow hull for these flats. A skiff or a flats boat will do the job. Light and agile, your captain will pole you along. This will get you on top of the spooky fish without causing a disturbance.
 
The beauty of fishing out of Key West is that it's right there! Within minutes, you’ll be on the productive flats, casting away. Even on a four-hour trip, you’ll still get to test your angling skills.
 
On six and eight-hour trips, you’ll explore a range of fishing grounds. Head to “the lakes” and Marquesas Island Toll, where you’ll find some of the largest Permit around. Along the sand flats and grassy-bottomed shallows, you’ll sight cast for the tailing fish. You can also try fly fishing here!
 
You could combine a trip to target Permit with hunting Tarpon and Bonefish to complete the inshore “Grand Slam.” Take a Key West Permit fishing guide from early spring through summer and for the best chance of the prize.

How to Prepare

Key West Permit fishing guides will have everything set up ready for you. There’s no need for a fishing license, and all rods and reels will be provided. Just check with your captain if he provides live bait. If you fancy going fly fishing, then you may also need to bring your own gear. 
 
Bottled water may be provided, but you should bring your own drinks and snacks. Stay refreshed and make the most of your time on the crystal clear waters. Get ready to battle it out with prized Permit in Key West, and see why this is one of the best spots in the world!
 

Key West Permit Fishing Seasons

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Seasonality

Permit fishing in Key West varies moderately throughout the year. High season is April to October. Low season is January. There is no closed season.
Key West
Excellent
4.6 / 5
Based on 27,944 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

What anglers said about Permit Fishing in Key West

Bring a jacket and sunscreen. Florida weather can be unpredictable during winter. Make sure you have something if you are prone to seasickness it will make or break your trip.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Bring a jacket and sunscreen. Florida weather can be unpredictable during winter. Make sure you have something if you are prone to seasickness it will make or break your trip.
Connie  W.
Connie W.
Don't worry about the weather or time of the year, you will have a great time regardless of conditions.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Don't worry about the weather or time of the year, you will have a great time regardless of conditions.
Kasey  Y.
Kasey Y.
To book with your company cause your mates that run the boats are very friendly & now the area very well
Excellent
5.0 / 5
To book with your company cause your mates that run the boats are very friendly & now the area very well
Richard  L.
Richard L.
If you want to make sure you get fish, book with a charter boat that take multiple people and has a variety of hours to go out. Check the ratings and read the reviews.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
If you want to make sure you get fish, book with a charter boat that take multiple people and has a variety of hours to go out. Check the ratings and read the reviews.
Julie  M.
Julie M.
Go with experienced Capt like Fishizzle. Watch the weather and schedule your trip early during your visit in event conditions cause cancelling. Have better shot of a makeup day possibly. 3/4 day will be more productive. I prefer going AM as conditions tend to get worse with heat of the Sun. This is apparently not as hard and fast rule as I thought in KW.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Go with experienced Capt like Fishizzle. Watch the weather and schedule your trip early during your visit in event conditions cause cancelling. Have better shot of a makeup day possibly. 3/4 day will be more productive. I prefer going AM as conditions tend to get worse with heat of the Sun. This is apparently not as hard and fast rule as I thought in KW.
Scott  T.
Scott T.
Bring some sandwiches, some drinks, theyโ€™ll have coolers with ice. Bring some shoes with grip as youโ€™ll be on a boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Bring some sandwiches, some drinks, theyโ€™ll have coolers with ice. Bring some shoes with grip as youโ€™ll be on a boat
Charles  K.
Charles K.
Absolutely! It was my first time and definitely not my last after that experience.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Absolutely! It was my first time and definitely not my last after that experience.
Alexandra  C.
Alexandra C.
Definitely depends on the month but the right captain will put you on fish!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Definitely depends on the month but the right captain will put you on fish!
Sean  Z.
Sean Z.
Was a little wet due to the wind, so maybe bring a rain jacket. Otherwise be prepared for fun.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Was a little wet due to the wind, so maybe bring a rain jacket. Otherwise be prepared for fun.
Michael  D.
Michael D.
These guys were prepared for everything. They listened to us and did whatever the. Oils to get is on the fish.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
These guys were prepared for everything. They listened to us and did whatever the. Oils to get is on the fish.
Davis  E.
Davis E.
This was our first time fishing in Key West, if you want to learn how to fish, these are the guys to teach you!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
This was our first time fishing in Key West, if you want to learn how to fish, these are the guys to teach you!
Michael  S.
Michael S.
Get out there! Great fishing Reef, Deep Sea and Backwater. Been a few times all good great fishing community.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Get out there! Great fishing Reef, Deep Sea and Backwater. Been a few times all good great fishing community.
Piper  H.
Piper H. Orlando, Florida
Sure this is a safe first trip in the keys. The four hour trip is just long enough to catch dinner and still learn bout open water fishing
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Sure this is a safe first trip in the keys. The four hour trip is just long enough to catch dinner and still learn bout open water fishing
Mary  K.  D.
Mary K. D.
The sun and heat are brutal. You may think you want to wear short sleeves and shorts but donโ€™t. Long breathable pants and a breathable shirt would be best.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
The sun and heat are brutal. You may think you want to wear short sleeves and shorts but donโ€™t. Long breathable pants and a breathable shirt would be best.
Aaron  L.
Aaron L. Tell City, IN
Don't eat breakfast or a meal before, wear sunscreen, bring drinks, use the bathroom before.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Don't eat breakfast or a meal before, wear sunscreen, bring drinks, use the bathroom before.
Gregory  L.
Gregory L. Mahopac, NY
Make sure you hydrate before you head out! Coconut water or electrolytes! The heat will get ya!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Make sure you hydrate before you head out! Coconut water or electrolytes! The heat will get ya!
Zachary  O.
Zachary O. Carrollton, TX
One of the toughest months to catch fish so you need an experienced captain and mate.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
One of the toughest months to catch fish so you need an experienced captain and mate.
Jason  B.
Jason B. Weissport, PA
He's an excellent skipper you make sure you have a good time. Couldn't ask for better
Excellent
5.0 / 5
He's an excellent skipper you make sure you have a good time. Couldn't ask for better
Mortgan  M.
Mortgan M. Auburn, WA
It was well worth it! We had a blast for our first deep sea fishing experience. Would definitely do it again.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
It was well worth it! We had a blast for our first deep sea fishing experience. Would definitely do it again.
Shannon  M.
Shannon M. Fordsville, KY
Just do it! And take your Dramamine the night before and then again in the morning.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Just do it! And take your Dramamine the night before and then again in the morning.
Rink  S.
Rink S. Las Cruces, NM

Fish Species Similar to Permit in Key West