Permit in Florida
Best waters and rules for permit.
- 56.13 lbrecord
Photo: Fish and Dive, CC BY 4.0
Permit in Florida waters
Permit (Trachinotus falcatus) is managed by FWC as a saltwater species. The Florida record permit weighed 56.13 pounds (Ft. Lauderdale, 1997).
About permit
Permit habitat
“Offshore near structure; inshore over grass flats, sand and in channels.”
Spawning and feeding, permit
“Spawning occurs primarily in early summer and again in fall.”
“Permit have a specialized plate at the back of their mouth that helps them crush hard-shelled animals such as clams and crabs.”
“Feeds on small fishes and invertebrates.”
Quoted from the FWC species profile.
Florida permit limits
| Where | Bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Permit Zone (South Florida/Keys) | 1 a day | 22 in minimum | Closed April 1 – July 31 |
| Outside Special Permit Zone | 2 a day | 11-22 in. FL; may possess 1 over 22 in. included in the bag | Open year-round |
Inside the Special Permit Zone (SPZ: state and adjacent federal waters south of 25 40 N on the Atlantic side, Biscayne Bay south of Rickenbacker Causeway, and south of 25 09 N off Cape Sable). No more than 2 per vessel.
All other state and federal waters outside the SPZ. No more than 2 over 22" per vessel.
FWC saltwater regulations, checked October 2026. All Florida limits.
Florida record permit
| Category | Weight (lb) | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| All tackle | 56.13 | Ft. Lauderdale | 1997 |
| Fly | 41.5 | Key West | 1986 |
| Length | |||
| Youth length | Key West | 2025 |
FWC freshwater state records and Catch a Florida Memory saltwater records. Angler names left out.
Florida bays for permit
Big Bend region
- Alligator HarborFranklin
- Apalachee BayWakulla
- Deadman BayTaylor
- Ochlockonee BayFranklin, Wakulla
- Suwannee SoundLevy
- Waccasassa BayLevy
- Withlacoochee BayLevy
Charlotte Harbor region
- Charlotte HarborCharlotte, Lee
- Estero BayLee
- Gasparilla SoundCharlotte, Lee
- Lemon BayCharlotte, Sarasota
- Matlacha PassLee
- Pine Island SoundLee
- San Carlos BayLee
Indian River Lagoon region
- Banana RiverBrevard
- Hobe SoundMartin
- Indian River (Indian River Lagoon)Brevard, Indian River
- Jupiter SoundMartin, Palm Beach
- Loxahatchee River estuaryMartin, Palm Beach
- Mosquito LagoonBrevard, Volusia
- St. Lucie River estuaryMartin, St. Lucie
Northeast region
- Cumberland SoundNassau
- Halifax RiverVolusia
- Matanzas RiverFlagler, St. Johns
- Nassau SoundDuval, Nassau
- Tolomato RiverSt. Johns
Panhandle region
- Apalachicola BayFranklin
- Big LagoonEscambia
- Blackwater BaySanta Rosa
- Choctawhatchee BayOkaloosa, Walton
- East Bay (Bay County)Bay, Gulf
- East Bay (Franklin County)Franklin
- East Bay (Santa Rosa County)Santa Rosa
- Escambia BayEscambia, Santa Rosa
- North Bay (Bay County)Bay
- Pensacola BayEscambia, Santa Rosa
- Perdido BayEscambia
- Santa Rosa SoundEscambia, Okaloosa
- St. Andrew BayBay
- St. Andrew SoundBay
- St. George SoundFranklin
- St. Joseph BayGulf
- St. Vincent SoundFranklin, Gulf
- West Bay (Bay County)Bay
Sarasota Bay region
- Little Sarasota BaySarasota
- Palma Sola BayManatee
- Roberts Bay (Siesta Key)Sarasota
- Roberts Bay (Venice)Sarasota
- Sarasota BayManatee, Sarasota
Southeast region
- Barnes SoundMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Biscayne BayMiami-Dade
- Card SoundMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Florida BayMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Lake Worth LagoonPalm Beach
Southwest region
- Chokoloskee BayCollier
- Fakahatchee BayCollier
- Naples BayCollier
- Ponce de Leon BayMonroe
- Whitewater BayMonroe
Tampa Bay region
- Boca Ciega BayPinellas
- Clearwater HarborPinellas
- Hillsborough BayHillsborough
- Old Tampa BayHillsborough, Pinellas
- St. Joseph SoundPinellas
- Tampa BayHillsborough, Manatee
Other Florida saltwater fish
Quick answers on permit
What is the bag limit on permit?
1 a day (Special Permit Zone (South Florida/Keys)), size: 22 in minimum.
How big is the Florida record permit?
56.13 pounds, caught in 1997.
Where are the best places to catch permit in Florida?
The lists above show where permit are caught.
Do hatcheries raise permit?
No recent FWC stocking of permit is listed.
Can I get a Big Catch certificate for permit?
FWC lists no Big Catch minimum for permit.
How are permit classified?
Trachinotus falcatus.
What license covers permit?
Yes, unless exempt; buy the saltwater license.
Is there a closed season for permit?
Yes: Closed April 1 – July 31.
Where do the permit numbers come from?
FWC rules and records, checked October 2026.