Antigua & Barbuda · Antigua Coast
PERMIT FISHING
IN ST. JOHN'S
St. John's is an outstanding destination for permit fishing, with peak season in March, April, May and good catches in January, February, July. Book a charter and target permit with local experts.
About Permit Fishing in St. John's
The permit is the holy grail of flats fishing — a large, powerful member of the jack family that feeds on crabs and shrimp on Caribbean flats. Notoriously wary and difficult to hook, landing a permit on the flats is considered one of saltwater fishing's greatest achievements. Their broad, silver bodies and sickle-shaped tails make them unmistakable as they cruise the shallows.
Permit (Trachinotus falcatus) are widely considered the ultimate flats fishing challenge — a species that combines the wariness of bonefish with the brute strength of a jack. These deep-bodied, silvery fish roam Caribbean flats, reef edges, and channels feeding on crabs, sea urchins, and small crustaceans. Permit are notoriously selective feeders, refusing flies and lures that are even slightly off in size, color, or presentation. Landing a permit on fly is considered one of sportfishing's greatest achievements. They are closely related to pompano but grow much larger, with a deeper body profile, longer sickle-shaped dorsal and anal fins, and a distinctive dark patch on the side near the pectoral fin.
Scientific name: Trachinotus falcatus
Permit Seasonal Calendar — St. John's
Month-by-month availability for permit in St. John's, AG.
How to Catch Permit in St. John's
Techniques & Bait
Sight-fishing on sand and turtle grass flats for tailing permit is the pinnacle of the sport. Cast a weighted crab pattern (Merkin, Raghead Crab, or EP Permit Crab) directly in the fish's feeding path, let it sink to the bottom, and wait — permit often take off the bottom with no strip needed. Spinning anglers use live crabs (blue crabs or small spider crabs) freelined or on a light jig, cast ahead of tailing or cruising fish. On reef edges, small jigs tipped with cut crab or shrimp work well for permit feeding in deeper water. Patience is essential — permit may follow a lure for minutes before committing or refusing entirely.
Recommended Tackle
Fly fishing: 9-10 weight rod, large arbor reel with a strong, smooth drag and 200+ yards of backing, tropical floating line, 9-12 ft leader tapering to 12-16 lb fluorocarbon tippet. Spinning: 7 ft medium rod, 3000-4000 reel, 10-15 lb braid, 20 lb fluorocarbon leader. Permit make powerful, sustained runs toward structure and can easily reach backing on the first run — quality drag is non-negotiable.
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in St. John's
Top spots where local captains target permit and other inshore species.
St. John's Harbour
St. John's Harbour is Antigua's main port where tarpon, barracuda, and jacks patrol the cruise ship docks, commercial wharves, and channel edges. The harbor's deep-water access close to shore means larger fish venture into the harbor structure, especially during early morning hours before commercial traffic increases.
Five Islands Harbour
Five Islands Harbour west of St. John's is a sheltered bay with mangrove edges and coral rubble shoreline that hold bonefish, barracuda, and mangrove snapper. The harbor's calm waters and scattered reef patches provide diverse inshore habitat accessible from the capital city.
Deep Bay
Deep Bay northwest of St. John's features a sandy beach sloping to reef structure where barracuda, jacks, and yellowtail snapper cruise the shallow reef edge. The wreck of the Andes, a historic ship in the bay, attracts fish to its deteriorating structure in waist-deep water.
Dickenson Bay Reef Edge
The reef edge fronting Dickenson Bay north of St. John's holds yellowtail snapper, bar jacks, and barracuda along the coral-to-sand transition in 5-15 feet of water. The bay's calm conditions and accessible reef make it popular for shore-based light-tackle fishing.
Other Species in St. John's
More fish you can target while visiting St. John's.
Permit Fishing in St. John's — FAQ
The peak months for Permit fishing in St. John's are March, April, May, June, October, November, December. During these months, Permit are most active and abundant in the St. John's area.
Permit fishing charters in St. John's are typically inshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Sight-fishing on sand and turtle grass flats for tailing permit is the pinnacle of the sport. Cast a weighted crab pattern (Merkin, Raghead Crab, or EP Permit Crab) directly in the fish's feeding path, let it sink to the bottom, and wait — permit often take off the bottom with no strip needed. Spinning anglers use live crabs (blue crabs or small spider crabs) freelined or on a light jig, cast ahead of tailing or cruising fish. On reef edges, small jigs tipped with cut crab or shrimp work well for permit feeding in deeper water. Patience is essential — permit may follow a lure for minutes before committing or refusing entirely.
No — when you book a charter in St. John's, your captain provides all required Antigua & Barbuda fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Permit regulations in Antigua & Barbuda include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Permit in St. John's, you may also catch Bonefish, Mangrove Snapper, Mahi Mahi, King Mackerel, Yellowfin Tuna. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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