http://www.tampabay.com/sports/outdoors/Captain-s-Corner-Swimmer-crabs-attract-big-permit_168487553
The outgoing tides of last weekend’s new moon washed thousands of small swimmer crabs, known locally as “pass crabs,” out of the estuaries and into the gulf. This suddenly abundant food source offshore works as a natural chum line and draws big permit to wrecks and structures within 25 miles of the coast. On several occasions lately, we have even found giant permit cruising on the surface in open water. We hooked a 35-pounder that was swimming with a school of offshore tarpon. If you like permit fishing, now is the time to check out your favorite spot. Some wrecks are better than others, but just about any high-profile structure in 25 to 80 feet of water may have a school of these tasty members of the jack family hanging around. Unless you are a diver, the best way to tell if permit are on a wreck is to drift live crabs over it. If the current is very light, try floating by the spot with two or three crabs cast out in different directions. When the water is moving faster, we usually anchor the boat and put three free-lined baits out with the rods in the holder. The key is to keep your crab in the upper half of the water column. Once they sink to the bottom, they seldom get picked up by permit. The terminal tackle needed is simple: a very long leader and a small but stout hook. No floats or sinkers should be used.
Ed Walker charters out of Tarpon Springs. He can be contacted at info@lighttacklecharters.com.
- Jay Mastry - March 26, 2024
- Captains Corner, Gorta - March 23, 2024
- Dave Zalewski - March 12, 2024
