Permit fishing in Monroe County
11 rated shore spots in Monroe County hold permit — ranked below with today's live forecast score for the species.
Permit forecast map for Monroe County
Every spot colored by how it fishes for permit right now. Scrub the timeline, tap a pin for its forecast, or go full screen.
When to go
In season nowJFMAMJJASOND
🌊 Fish the flood tide.
Size, bag and season rules in Monroe County
Open: keep up to 1 a day of 22 in or more
Monroe County
Rules set by FWC
- Minimum size
- 22 inMeasured nose to the fork of the tail
- Bag limit
- 1 a day
Source: FWC · checked Sep 30, 2026
A summary of the rules these authorities publish for anglers, checked on the dates shown. It is not legal advice: the authority's own page is the rule, and rules can change.
Check FWC rulesBest permit spots in Monroe County
1Long Key ViaductFair · 57Worth a tryBridge permit show from late summer, often around slack water; a live crab near the pilings. Check FWC rules.2Bahia Honda State ParkFair · 61Worth a tryOccasional fish on the flats on calm, bright days. A small live crab on light fluorocarbon, placed softly ahead of them.3Curry Hammock State ParkFair · 55Worth a tryAlso named by the park on its flats. A small live crab or crab jig cast well ahead of the fish; patience is part of the game.4Long Key State ParkFair · 53Worth a tryThe park map names permit among the area's flats fish. Rare and wary; a small live crab or crab jig on the deeper edges of the flats.5Channel Five BridgeFair · 56Worth a tryAn occasional fish around the pilings; a live crab near slack water. Check FWC rules.6Tom's Harbor BridgesFair · 59Worth a tryBig bridge permit show in late summer, often around slack water; a live crab near the pilings. Check FWC rules.7Little Duck Key Veterans Memorial ParkFair · 59Worth a tryOccasional on the flats on a small live crab; check FWC rules.8Sombrero BeachFair · 64Worth a tryOccasional on the flats on a live crab, spring and fall; check FWC rules.9White Street PierGood · 66Shows occasionallyRare, but they do nose along the sand edges. A live crab on a light fluorocarbon leader is the bait if you see one.10Garden Key, Dry Tortugas National ParkFair · 62Shows occasionallyThe park shows schools of permit on its reef-fish page; a crab or shrimp on a circle hook along the sand edge may draw one.11Pigeon KeyGood · 65Shows occasionallyLocal guides target permit in the shallower water near Pigeon Key by boat; one near the dock is a rare bonus.
Tactics for permit
Top baits, best first
- Blue Crab
- Sand Fleas (Mole Crabs)
- Pompano Jig
- Live Shrimp
Rigs that work, best first
- Pompano Rig
- Fish-Finder Rig
- Freeline Live Bait
