Turneffe Tails: Fishing Belize's Fabled Atoll

Permit on the run

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The mysterious, elusive permit is one of the most challenging game fish anywhere, and Turneffe Atoll has them in spades.

During a recent stay at the decadent Turneffe Island Lodge, the fellow staying in the bungalow beside me sighted 56 permit in a single day, all within sight of the lodge! That's a lot of permit.

And to make matters even more interesting, Turneffe sports some very big permit that run well into the 30-pound range.

Turneffe Atoll's permit love Merkins more than any other fly, so always have one rigged on a 10-weight when fishing for bones, snapper, and other game fish. You just never know when one will show up.

But, don't think that these permit are all seen by accident: Tell your guide that you want permit and he will bring you straight to the most likely areas. You can only expect to see them when you're stalking them.

No Second Casts
Delicate, extremely accurate casts are demanded when after permit. You have got to get that fly right in front of them, but it can't land with a big splash.

And you must retrieve it properly, which might mean a dead drift or just a very slight twitch if the permit is ignoring it. One false move with that fly and the permit will "blow out," i.e., flee in terror at top speed.

Oh, and they don't look back when they do this.

The same positioning and presentation for bones apply to permit. Spinners should use a medium-weight spinning rod loaded with 10- to 15-pound test. Live crabs are best.