permit
Species Facts

Science Name: Trachinotus falcatus
Other Names: round pompano, great pompano
Ideal Temp: 75 to 85
World Record: 56 lbs., 2 oz, Fl.
Environment: inshore, coastal, reef
Techniques: light tackle, saltwater fly
Description

A greenish gray on back, shading to silvery sides; fish in dark waters showing gold on throat, pelvic, and anal fins; deep flattened body with small mouth; no scutes; 22 to 27 soft dorsal rays; 20 to 23 soft anal rays; origin of anal fin slightly behind origin of second dorsal.

This is an extremely adaptable fish. They can be found in both mucky and reef bottoms, and in either deep, offshore environs or shallow flats. Young permit school but become more solitary with age.

On the flats, permit feed much like redfish, rooting around the bottom in search of food. They will eat shrimp, crabs, mollusks, and urchins. The roof of a permit's mouth has a hard plate that is used to crush the shells of crabs and crustaceans. It often mashes many anglers' hooks completely flat.

The permit is considered an excellent food fish. They are very meaty and taste similar to pompano.