Know your target
Permit fishing around Tampa Bay
An occasional visitor around pass edges and deep pier pilings. Small crabs are the first choice; identify carefully because permit and pompano have different rules.
Also known as: Trachinotus falcatus
Harvest status today: Open (as of Oct 26, 2026)
Season: Open year-round outside the Special Permit Zone (Tampa Bay)Slot: 11–22 inches fork length; may possess 1 over 22 inches within the bagBag: 2 per harvester; no more than 2 over 22 inches per vessel
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FWC regulations (Tampa Bay region)
| Season | Open year-round outside the Special Permit Zone (Tampa Bay) |
|---|---|
| Slot/size limit | 11–22 inches fork length; may possess 1 over 22 inches within the bag |
| Bag limit | 2 per harvester; no more than 2 over 22 inches per vessel |
| Special rules | Tampa Bay is outside the Special Permit Zone. State waters: hook and line only. No multiple hook with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited. |
Source: FWC: Permit · Checked 2026-10-26
“Checked” is the dataset reference date.
Regulations change; always confirm with FWC.
A year on the water
When they're biting
Best months and baits are general guidance, not official.
JanFair
FebFair
MarGood
AprPeak
MayPeak
JunPeak
JulPeak
AugPeak
SepPeak
OctGoodThis month
NovFair
DecFair
Swipe or scroll the table to see all months. General guidance: 0 = Rare, 1 = Fair, 2 = Good, 3 = Peak. Current month: Oct. Harvest status as of 2026-10-26 (America/New_York), at build time.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | OctThis month | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permit | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair |
- winter
- Treat permit as an occasional sighting rather than a dependable winter shore target.
- spring
- Try a small crab near deep pass edges and identify the fish before keeping it.
- summer
- Look around reachable pilings and pass structure with clear water; make a quiet crab presentation.
- fall
- Warm pass water may still produce a visitor before sustained cooling.
Top baits
Bait guide: hook placement, rigs and local seasonal tips →
Best months and baits are general guidance, not official.
From the tackle bag
How to catch
General guidance; adapt tackle to conditions and follow current rules.
- Hook
- 1/0–3/0 inline circle
- Leader
- 20–30 lb fluorocarbon
- Weight
- Free-line or 1/4–1 oz
- Rig
- Free-line a small crab, hooked through a shell corner clear of the legs
- Technique
- Cast ahead of a visible fish and let the crab sink naturally.
- Best tide
- Moving water near a sand or structure edge; ease back when current makes bait control difficult.
- Time of day
- Dawn or late afternoon within posted access hours
Find your shoreline
Where to go
Habitat suggestions, subject to access. Check each spot's status before going.
- Skyway Fishing Pier State Park — North Pier Deep pier or pass structure offers a place to try; this is habitat guidance, not a confirmed catch report. Open
- Fort De Soto Gulf Pier Deep pier or pass structure offers a place to try; this is habitat guidance, not a confirmed catch report. Open
- Pass-a-Grille Fishing Jetty Deep pier or pass structure offers a place to try; this is habitat guidance, not a confirmed catch report. Call ahead
Hours not listed — call during business hours
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