Top 10 Best Permit Flies

Use these crab fly patterns to catch a whole bunch of permit.

There’s nothing tougher to catch on the flats than a permit. There’s also nothing more satisfying to catch either. While they are tough to catch these flies just could give you the best shot at catching one.

1. Bauer Flats Crab
   
   
   
   This is one of our favorites for fly fishing permit in Belize and Mexico.
2. Cathy's Fleeing Crab
   
   
   
   Cathy’s Fleeing Crab is a staple in every saltwater fly fisher’s arsenal. Want to catch permit? Gotta have this one. This is one of our favorites for Mexico’s Ascension Bay.
3. Ehlers Fat Boy Crab
   
   
   
   The Fly Fishers’ own Pat Ehlers worked with Rick Murphy, host of the Sportsman’s Adventures TV show, to build a permit fly designed to fall quickly to the bottom and perfectly imitate a crab. It’s tied reverse style to get to the bottom quickly to flee from permit and tease them into biting.
4. Craven's Flip Flop
   
   
   
   The Flip Flop is a great choice for permit & bonefish as well. Add this one to your fly box before your next saltwater fly fishing trip.
5. EP Ascension Bay Mantis Shrimp
   
   
   
   “Ascension Bay” is in the name for a reason…If you’re heading to Ascension Bay in Mexico for some permit fly fishing, this is a must-have. We like using these for permit found laid up or rolling in deep water on the flats.
6. EP Palometa Crab
   
   
   
   Palometa is Spanish for “permit,” so this fly has one purpose: to attract permit! This works very well in Caribbean waters of Mexico and Belize.
7. Kung Fu Crab
   
   
   
   The Kung Fu Crab is excellent for permit and bonefish as well. The swimming action imitates a crayfish and is irresistible to permit and even some freshwater fish.
8. Lexo Pop Up Crab
   
   
   
   Lexo’s Pop Up Crab from Umpqua is tied on a 45 degree jib hook, putting this fly fishing pattern into a “fighting stance,” replicating how crabs react when a fish sizes them up as a snack. This takes crab imitation to another level…
9. Del Brown Permit Crab
   
   
   
   This might be the most successful permit fly in our fly box. It’s a staple and a must-have for your collection. Don’t got fly fishing for permit without it!
10. Rag Head Crab
    
    
    
    The Rag Head Crab is a smaller size permit fly that works great at destinations like Ascension Bay and Turneffe Island. This one also doubles as an effective bonefish fly.

Need advice? Contact the fly shop and we’ll help you fill your fly box with permit flies that will give you the edge out on the water.