Permit
Trachinotus falcatus
How to tell it
Pompano's big cousin: taller body, dark dorsal lobe, orange wash near the anal fin.
Often mistaken for
One fish that gets called permit, and what gives it away.
- Florida pompano: Smaller, yellower, no dark lobe. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida (Atlantic) | 11–22 in slot · Keys zone: 22 in min | 2 per person · Keys zone: 1 | Open all year · Keys zone: closed Apr 1–Jul 31FWC 2026 · checked | Check |
| Florida (Gulf) | 11–22 in slot · Keys zone: 22 in min | 2 per person · Keys zone: 1 | Open all year · Keys zone: closed Apr 1–Jul 31FWC 2026 · checked | Check |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 8 lb 8.8 oz | 2022 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Florida | 56.13 lb | 1997 · Ft. Lauderdale | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Louisiana | 5 lb | 2020 · Gulf of Mexico | LOWA Louisiana State Fish Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Mississippi | 2 lb 4 oz | 2006 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 4.1 lb | 2025 · Galveston Bay | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
On the table
Good; ciguatera caution far south.
In the app
Point the camera at a permit and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about permit
What is the size limit for permit?
It depends on the state. Florida (Atlantic): 11–22 in slot · Keys zone: 22 in min; Florida (Gulf): 11–22 in slot · Keys zone: 22 in min.
How many permit can you keep?
Florida (Atlantic): 2 per person · Keys zone: 1; Florida (Gulf): 2 per person · Keys zone: 1.
How do you tell permit from Florida pompano?
Permit: Pompano's big cousin: taller body, dark dorsal lobe, orange wash near the anal fin. Florida pompano: smaller, yellower, no dark lobe.
What is the record permit?
56.13 lb in Florida (1997), Ft. Lauderdale. Other states’ records are in the table.