Part Two: Spinning for Permit

SPINNING FOR PERMIT
The spin fisherman has the best chance of taking a permit because of the option of using live crab for bait. Live crabs are a permit's one and only weakness. Most permit taken on spinning tackle are caught using a 1/8 oz. Wiggle Jig with a hermit crab trailer.

SPINNING PRESENTATION
Presentation is the same as for fly fishermen but remember that the sound of a live-bait rig crashing into the water can scare the appetite right out of even the most voracious permit. Place your cast no less than 25 feet from a cruising fish, allowing the crab to settle to the bottom before the fish gets to it. If the fish is hungry the permit will usually pounce on it immediately. Make sure the fish has the crab for at least two seconds before firmly setting the hook. The mouth of a permit is very tough and leathery, so set the hook repeatedly and never allow the fish any slack line or the hook may become dislodged.

TERMINAL TACKLE
Small swivel, 1/8-1/4 oz. slip sinker and a #2 or #1 Mustad 9174 O'Shaughnessy bait hook or 1/8 oz. wiggle jig with a crab trailer.

Artificial lures can also be productive, but like a fly, must be presented and retrieved perfectly. As with fly-fishing, artificial lures should be fished slowly and patiently. The presentation should "creep" along the bottom with frequent and sporadic stops and starts. Lures listed in the bonefish section in slightly larger sizes can all be productive. A spinning variety of the McCrab or a Gaines Philips Wiggle Jig 1/8 oz. (pink or White/ Brown) are good choices.

SPINNING RODS
The same as listed in the bonefish section.

SPINNING REELS FOR PERMIT
Reels must hold at least 200 yards of 8-lb. line. Permit are larger and significantly stronger than bonefish and will strain spinning tackle to the limit. Large permit will often make such long runs that you'll be forced to follow them in the boat, so substantial line capacity is important. If you hook a large permit, expect the battle to last for over 40 minutes.