Best Times & Seasons to Catch Permit in Florida (Full Guide)

Permit are some of the most popular fish to target in Florida. Knowing the best times and seasons to catch permit in Florida helps anglers maximize the success of their fishing trips.

The best times to catch permit in Florida are during the late spring to early fall, especially from April to September. Early morning and late afternoon during incoming tides are often the most productive times to find them.

Florida offers world-class permit fishing throughout the year. Permit can be found in Florida’s shallow flats, near coral reefs, and along the edges of channels.

Best Times to Catch Permit in Florida

The best time to catch permit in Florida is during the warmer months, from late spring to early fall, especially between April and September. These fish love warm, shallow waters like flats and coral reefs. Early morning and late afternoon are the ideal times of day to fish for permit because that’s when they’re most active and looking for food like crabs and shrimp.

Tides are important too; the incoming tide is usually a great time to fish as it brings in food for the permit. They can also be found near areas where shallow waters become deeper, like channels or the edges of flats.

Seasonal Breakdown: Florida Permit

Winter

Winter is not the best season for catching permit in Florida, but you can still find them. During colder months, permit often move to deeper, warmer waters. The best times to fish are usually early morning and late afternoon.

Even in winter, they like to be near features like coral reefs or the edges of channels where the water gets deeper. Incoming tides can still be good times to fish because they bring in food.

Spring

Spring is one of the best seasons to catch permit in Florida, especially from April to June. The fish start to become more active as the water gets warmer. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to go fishing for permit.

They like to be in shallow areas like flats and close to coral reefs. Try to fish during the incoming tide, as it brings in food like crabs that permit like to eat. You’ll often find them near places where the depth of the water changes, such as channel edges.

Summer

Summer is a great time to catch permit in Florida, especially from June to August. The fish like the warm, shallow waters during these months. The best times of day are early morning and late afternoon, when permit are actively searching for food. They often hang out near coral reefs and shallow flats.

The incoming tide is a good time to fish because it brings in crabs and shrimp, which permit love to eat. You can also find permit where the water depth changes, like the edges of channels.

Fall

In Florida, fall can still be a good time to catch permit, especially in September and October. During these months, the water is often still warm. You’ll have the best luck in the early morning and late afternoon when permit are looking for food. They hang out in shallow areas like flats and near coral reefs.

For tides, the incoming tide is usually the best time to find permit because it brings in their favorite foods like crabs. You can also find them near spots where shallow water gets deeper, such as the edges of channels.

Best & Worst Time/Tides of Day

The best times of day to catch permit in Florida are early morning and late afternoon. That’s when they are most likely to be looking for food. The worst time is usually when the sun is really hot in the middle of the day. During that time, permit often go to deeper water, making them harder to catch.

Tides play a big role in catching permit. The incoming tide is usually the best time because it brings in food like crabs, which permit love to eat. The early part of the outgoing tide can also be good, as permit may still be searching for food.

As for places, you’ll often find permit in shallow waters like flats or close to coral reefs. They also like to be near areas where the water depth changes, such as the edges of channels. During incoming tides, these are the spots where you’re most likely to catch them.

Recommended Fishing Guides in Florida

These Florida-based charters are the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Captain Chris Fishing Charters	St. Augustine, FL
Great White Charters	St. Augustine, FL
Fish Slapped Charters	Clearwater, FL
Wet Lines Fishing	Clearwater, FL
Amelia Family Fishing Charters	Fernandina Beach, FL
850 Charters	Destin, FL
Neptune Fishing Charters	Clearwater, FL
Leisure Life Charters	St. Petersburg, FL
Old Town Charters	Panama City Beach, FL

Night Fishing for Florida Permit

Catching permit at night is a bit more challenging, but it’s still possible. The best times are usually just after sunset and just before sunrise. These are times when permit might come closer to the shore to look for food.

You’ll often find them near places where the water changes from shallow to deep, like the edges of channels. The middle of the night is usually the worst time because permit are less active and harder to find. Aim for the hours right around sunset and sunrise, and focus on areas where the water depth changes.

Top Florida Permit Locations

Florida Keys: The Keys are one of the best spots for permit fishing, especially from April to September. Fish the flats in the early morning or late afternoon during incoming tides.

Tampa Bay: Here, late spring to early fall is ideal for permit. Look for them near underwater features like reefs and the edges of channels.

Biscayne Bay: This spot is great from May to October. You’ll find permit in shallow flats, especially during the incoming tide.

Charlotte Harbor: Go fishing here during the late spring and summer. Permit often hang out near the mouths of rivers and the edges of channels.

Sarasota Bay: Late spring to early fall is a good time to fish. Try fishing the shallow flats during incoming tides.

Fort Myers: April to September are good months for permit here. Fish near underwater structures like reefs and the edges of deeper water areas.

Islamorada: Known as the sportfishing capital, the best time is late spring to early fall. Look for permit in shallow areas, especially near coral reefs.

Naples: Good fishing can be found from April to October. Look for permit in the deeper waters of the bays and near channel edges.

Miami: Late spring to early fall is the best time. Look for permit near coral reefs and in areas where the water depth changes, like the edges of channels.

Sanibel and Captiva Islands: These islands are good for permit fishing from May to October. You’ll find them in shallow waters, especially during incoming tides.

Florida Permit & Weather

Weather can really affect where you’ll find permit in Florida. On sunny days, permit like to hang out in shallow waters like flats and near coral reefs. They’re easier to spot because they often swim near the surface when it’s bright out.

On cloudy or overcast days, permit might go a little deeper but they’re still usually close to places where the water depth changes, like the edges of channels. They may not be as easy to see, so you’ll have to rely more on your fishing skills.

When it’s windy, the water gets choppy. This can make permit move to even deeper waters or areas that are more sheltered, like bays or harbors. They also might hang out near underwater structures to avoid the strong currents.

Rainy weather can be tricky. Sometimes the rain can make it hard to find permit because the water gets murky. But right after a rain, you might find them searching for food in areas where fresh water mixes with saltwater.

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