Best Knots for Permit Fishing

Permit (Trachinotus falcatus) complete the grand slam of flats fishing alongside bonefish and tarpon. They are arguably the most technically demanding flats target in the world — powerful, selective, and deeply uncooperative. Anglers who consistently catch permit on fly are considered among the most skilled flats fishers. The knots and leader setup are less critical than in most fishing because the challenge is in the presentation, but the terminal connections must be absolutely clean — permit inspect flies and baits closely before deciding to eat.

Permit at a Glance

Flats Grand Slam

Catching all three in one day:

• Bonefish — multiple fish typical; easier to find and fool
• Permit — hardest; even experienced anglers may need many attempts
• Tarpon — large, powerful; requires strong tackle and precise hookset

Spinning Tackle Setup

The leader is longer than most inshore applications (8-10 feet) because permit are extremely alert to the braid main line and need the clear fluorocarbon section well separated from the bait.

Fly Fishing Setup

Why heavier tippet than bonefish: Permit are larger and more powerful — 20lb fluorocarbon tippet is standard where 12lb is used for bonefish. The heavier tippet also helps turn over larger, heavier crab patterns in the cast.

Best Knots for Permit

Non-Slip Loop Knot — Tippet to Crab Fly

The Non-Slip Loop Knot is essential for permit crab fly fishing. The loop allows the crab pattern to swing and sink naturally, imitating the fall of a real crab in the water. A tight clinch knot reduces the fly’s natural movement and produces fewer eats.

FG Knot — Braid to Fluorocarbon (Spinning)

The FG Knot for the longest possible clear-water leader on spinning tackle. The smooth profile of the FG Knot passing through guides allows an 8-10 foot leader to be cast and retrieved without catching.

Palomar Knot — Fluorocarbon to Circle Hook (Live Crab)

The Palomar Knot to a 2/0-3/0 circle hook for live crab fishing. The Palomar’s strength is important — a large permit makes hard initial runs and the circle hook hookset (reel-down and sweep) applies significant load to the knot immediately.

Crab Presentation (Spinning / Live Bait)

Hooking the Crab

1. Use a 2-3 inch juvenile blue crab — a 50-cent-piece-size crab is ideal
2. Hook through the rear corner of the top shell (carapace) from underneath, exiting through the top
3. The crab should be alive and able to move its legs actively
4. Remove large claws to prevent the crab from tangling the line with its claws

Presentation to a Feeding Permit

1. Spot the permit — tailing, mudding, or cruising
2. Identify the direction of travel or feeding orientation
3. Cast the crab 4-6 feet ahead of the fish, leading the fish
4. Allow the crab to sink to the bottom — do not move it
5. As the fish approaches, a slight twitch may trigger a reaction; more often, holding still is better
6. When the permit takes the crab and moves: reel down to the fish and sweep

The refusal: Permit frequently swim up to a crab, inspect it for 3-10 seconds, and then refuse and swim away. This is normal. Change cast angle, depth, or presentation style on the next opportunity.

Fly Presentation

1. The fly must land 3-6 feet in front of the permit with a quiet entry — a hard landing spooks the fish
2. Allow the fly to sink immediately — permit eat sinking crabs, not surface ones
3. Match the fly’s sink rate to the water depth: heavier lead eyes in 2+ feet of water, bead chain in shallower water
4. One or two slow strips after the fly sinks may trigger a permit following the fly; extended stripping typically does not produce eats

Permit Locations by Season

Related Guides

• Best Knots for Bonefish — lighter-weight flats fishing; similar leader approach
• Best Knots for Tarpon — the third fish of the grand slam
• Non-Slip Loop Knot — essential for fly-to-tippet connection
• FG Knot — low-profile braid-to-leader for flats spinning