Southern Belize is the epicenter for tailing permit. The vast pancake flats provide suitable feeding grounds for a hungry permit. When the tide shifts and the water moves onto the flats, permit move in and gorge on the crabs, shrimp, baitfish, even the sea urchins and small lobsters. Typically, this feeding frenzy will result in tailing permit.

A tailing permit is a happy permit and a happy permit is one that will eat a well-presented fly. So when you do encounter a tailing permit it is your time to shine here are some tips to follow.

Go for the Jugular.

“Hook him or spook him,” is the rule to live by on a tailing permit. 

When you see a permit tailing and feeding, put that fly right in front of that fish. Think of a dinner plate and land it within a dinner plate of the permit’s mouth. You can aim for the head of the permit and hope that fly drops write into the feeding fish’s mouth. This is different from when you have a cruising permit or a school of permit. A tailing permit is less spooky, take advantage of this.

Get Close to the Fish.

Since a tailing permit is preoccupied with actively trying to stuff crabs into it’s mouth use this to your advantage. If you are in a boat, get out of the boat and take the hunt on foot. This allows you to get closer and have a good shot. It’s not uncommon for a tailing fish to come within 10-20 feet of you and not notice as it’s mind is on food.

Don’t Let Your Emotions Get in the Way

A tailing permit will absolutely get your heart rate going. So with this tell yourself before you go fishing that if you do encounter a tailing fish you are going to take a deep breath and relax, just focus on what you know and don’t let the pressure get to you. The mental game of permit fishing is real, so step up out of it and show the permit that you have confidence. You have control to catch that fish, so make it happen.

If you want to book a trip to have daily shots at tailing permit, there is no better place than the Blue Horizon Lodge with Blue Horizon Fly Fishing guides, led by legendary guide Lincoln Westby. To check availability you can email us at info@bluehorizonbelize.com.