The spin fisherman has a real advantage when going after permit because of the option of using live crab for bait. Live crabs are a permit's one and only weakness. They will attack them with little hesistation.

As with fly fishing, artificial lures should be fished slowly and patiently. The presentation should "creep" along the bottom with frequent stops and starts. Lures listed in the bonefish section can all be productive. A spinning variety of the McCrab or a Gaines Phillips Wiggle Jig 1/8 oz. (pink or white/brown) are good choices. Most permit taken of spinning tackle are caught using a 1/8 oz. Wiggle Jig with a hermit crab trailer.

Spinning Tackle For Permit

The same as listed in the bonefish section. Reels must hold at least 200 yards of 8 lb. line. Permit are larger and significantly stronger than bonefish and will strain 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