Fish daily Charters

Key West Permit Fishing Charters

Ready for Your Key West Permit Fishing Adventure?

Are you looking for one of the most challenging, most exciting fly fishing experiences found anywhere? Maybe you’ve heard of the legendary permit fishing in the Florida Keys, and want in on the action? You’ll need an outfit that knows where to find these fierce fish and how to hook them, and that’s where Fish Daily Charters has got your back. Our crew knows the waters of the Keys inside and out, and we are outfitted to take on the inshore flats, where the permit like to lurk!

Our skipper, Captain John, draws on his local knowledge as a fifth-generation native of the Florida Keys to put you on the fish…fast! Our vessel, the Heavy Hitter, is equipped with all the gear, bait and tackle you’ll need, so all you’ll need to bring is some sunscreen and a sense of adventure. And we’re able to take on up to six guests, so you can bring your buddies in on the action. Take a look at our pricing and charter options and find one that works for you, and we’ll get you started on your hunt for these well-known fighting fish.

Deposits And Cancellations

A 20% deposit is deducted at the time of booking; In the event of unfavorable weather or at the discretion of our crew, trips may be shortened or canceled. If this happens, we will work with you to reschedule or issue a refund.

$1000+

Deposit due today:

Please review our cancellation policy.

Permit
Fishing Charter

Why Choose Our Permit Fishing Charter?

Although permit can be found throughout the Keys for most of the year, finding them takes a skilled guide, and putting your fly in front of them without spooking them is even tougher. These fish are a challenge to get in the boat, but the rewards can last a lifetime.

Based out of Stock Island, Fish Daily Charters uses a combination of great gear and good old-fashioned local knowledge to get our guests out to where the permit are, and our upfront pricing and flexible cancellation policies mean you can rest easy if plans change. Whether you’re a novice angler or a champion looking for your next big record, Fish Daily Charters has the Florida Keys permit fishing experience you’ve been waiting for.

About Permit in Key West

Permit are medium-sized, roughly diamond-shaped fish that like to inhabit warm shallow waters from Massachusetts to Brazil, where they can reach up to 40 lbs in some cases. Although they spawn offshore, they prefer the shoreline marshes and mudflats that surround the islands of the Keys. They can be distinguished by their scythe-shaped dorsal fin, and their forked tail, which sometimes can be seen cutting the water like a little shark’s. After spawning, schools of permit can be found offshore near shipwrecks and other underwater structures into the fall season.

These fish are known for their fight; battling a permit from a boat as it runs out your line, while drifting through the reeds and alligator grass of the Keys, is a legendary fishing experience. Once hooked, they provide good eating, although we encourage our anglers to catch and release to keep the populations healthy.

How We Catch Permit

The gold-standard for permit is sight fish for them with fly rods. They go out to sea to spawn in April and return to the flats from May, which is when most of the big ones can be found cruising the inland waterways for prey. Permit spook easily, so we cut the engines and drift downstream while a crew member keeps a lookout for any fins at the surface, feeding activity, and other telltale signs of permit. Once sighted, we tie on our flies and get to casting!

After spawning season, permit can also be found on wrecks and other underwater structures offshore, but these are considered easier to catch (since they go after bait more aggressively) and harder to land (since your line is much more likely to get snagged on something underwater). Still, the result is the same and you’ll be more likely to head back into harbor with multiple permit in your cooler.

What Else You Can Catch With Us

Permit isn’t the only thing biting in the waters of the Gulf Coast! Some of the other species you might hook include:

This large and challenging game fish has a season from April through June.

Another legendary game fish that passes through the Keys in winter.

This is the fastest fish in the ocean, found year-round in the Keys.

This fish is feisty and tasty and is caught from fall through spring.

Several big species are found in out waters year round.

These fish are very heavy, but very tasty, bottom-dwellers.

We can reel in several snapper species, including Red and Mutton.

A delicious fish that is found in rivers and inland canals.

This very fast and very tasty fish is most often reeled in May to October.

This quick fish lives near offshore structures and is an angler’s favorite.

A big, torpedo-shaped fish that is mostly reeled in June and July.

This strange-looking fish is also very tasty, and is found from May to December.

A predatory, common fish that prowls reefs and wrecks offshore.

A good-tasting fish that lives far from shore, but is found year-round of the Keys.

A medium-sized, challenging fish that lives on reefs and wrecks all around the Keys.

This heavy, strong game fish can be reeled in all spring.

…and more!

Other Fishing Charters We Offer In Key West

Sunset Cruises

We offer special Sunset Cruises out on the waters of the Gulf for a tranquil evening viewing a tropical sunset, great for couples and seekers of peace and quiet.

Specialty Charters

In addition to permit, we also offer charters going after everything from Tarpon, to Sailfish, to Mahi Mahi, or even Shark! Ask our crew about our trips specializing in these iconic game fish.

Shrimp Boat Charter

This charter allows you to follow the shrimp boats of the Florida Keys haul in their catch, attracting fish of all sizes for miles around. Ideal for serious enthusiasts and adrenaline lovers.

Dry Tortugas Charter

This charter lets us take you out to the Dry Tortugas island chain, seventy miles west of the Keys, where a national park and a Civil War-era fort can be found. Perfect for family fishing trips and history buffs.

Testimonials

What reel People are saying about us!

Your Adventure Permit Fishing in Key West Begins Here!

The permit fishing in the sparkling, sunlit spring waters of the Florida Keys is an experience that no angler should miss, and Fish Daily Charters has the crew, the gear, and the inside information on where to find them, and how to hook them.

When you step aboard our boat, you’re gaining generations of local experience and a friendly, knowledgeable crew of salty dogs that will put you on the fish.

We will professionally clean, filet and bag any fish you want to keep, and our commitment to sustainable fishing and ecologically-conscious practices means you’ll feel good about signing on with us.

Call or email us to book your next great permit fishing adventure and we’ll see you out on the flats!