In this solo episode of the Tom Rowland Podcast, Tom Rowland shares decades of expertise as a professional fishing guide and charter captain based in the Florida Keys on permit fishing with spinning tackle. Permit are one of saltwater fishing's most challenging species, and while fly fishing gets most of the attention, Tom explains why spinning tackle is far more effective for catching these elusive flats fish. He covers everything from rod and reel selection to live crab presentations, jig techniques, and the mental game required to succeed with permit. Whether you're fishing the flats or nearshore wrecks, Tom's approach combines technical precision with practical field-tested strategies that will dramatically increase your odds of landing one of these prized fish.
What is the best spinning tackle setup for permit fishing on the flats?
Tom Rowland recommends a seven foot medium light or light fast action spinning rod paired with a 2,500 size reel like the Shimano Vanford or Stella, spooled with fifteen pound braid and a two to three foot leader of twenty or twenty five pound fluorocarbon. This setup provides exceptional casting distance for sixty to seventy foot presentations while maintaining the sensitivity needed to feel subtle permit bites on the bottom.
Who is Tom Rowland?
Tom Rowland is a professional fishing guide, charter captain, and host of the Tom Rowland Podcast based in the Florida Keys. He has decades of experience targeting permit and other saltwater species on the flats, and has dedicated much of his career to understanding and pursuing these notoriously difficult fish.
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Visit Star brite →Why Spinning Tackle Outperforms Fly for Permit
Tom doesn't hold back on this one. While fly fishing for permit gets all the glory and prestige, he makes a compelling case for why spinning tackle is objectively more effective. The casting distance alone changes everything—you can put a quarter ounce jig sixty to seventy feet with ease, opening up shots that would be impossible with a fly rod. Add in the ability to use live crabs and shrimp, which are what permit eat all the time, and you're working with a natural presentation that flies simply can't match. Tom explains why the fifteen pound braid on a 2,500 size reel gives you unmatched sensitivity to feel those subtle bottom bites, and how you can quickly adjust your weight based on water depth and current. His full breakdown of why spinning tackle is more effective starts at 00:02:29.
The Rod, Reel, and Line Setup That Actually Works
Tom gets specific about his go-to setup, and it's not what most people reach for. While many anglers grab those super flimsy snook rods, Tom explains why he wants a fast action rod that gives him the sensitivity to feel the bottom and detect those barely-there bites. He's particular about the 2,500 size reel—it's light enough to hold at the ready for long periods, casts exceptionally well, and has plenty of drag for fish that typically run eight to twenty pounds. The braid versus mono debate gets settled here too, with Tom explaining why he's transitioned to fifteen or even ten pound braid for the casting distance and zero-stretch sensitivity. There's a method to every component choice, from the two to three foot fluorocarbon leader to why he doesn't go longer. The complete tackle breakdown begins at 00:05:04.
Hear Tom explain exactly why lighter tackle keeps you ready longer
Live Crabs, Jigs, and the Presentation That Gets Bites
Tom reveals that live crabs are the number one bait for permit—nothing else comes close. He uses pass crabs, which are juvenile blue crabs about the size of a silver dollar, hooked through the corner of the shell to keep them alive and kicking. The challenge is getting them, either by netting them on the flats at night with a light or buying them from local bait shops when available. For jigs, Tom's go-to is a quarter ounce or eighth ounce jig head with a small paddle tail in tan, root beer, or natural colors to match the bottom. The key is working it slow—barely hopping it along the bottom because permit aren't chasing anything down. They're picking crabs and shrimp off the bottom, so the presentation has to be natural. Tom also explains when to tip the jig with a piece of shrimp for scent, and why you should never try to strip the bait toward the fish. His detailed bait and presentation techniques start at 00:09:32.
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Tom gets honest about what permit fishing really is—seventy percent mental. You're going to see fish and not get them to eat. You're going to have perfect presentations they just swim away from. That's the nature of permit fishing, and if you can't handle those stretches, you'll never last. Tom explains why the approach has to be dead quiet—permit are incredibly spooky and will just vanish if you shuffle your feet, drop something, or make a sloppy cast. He talks about reading the fish, looking for tails, shadows, and that telltale flash when they turn on their side to feed. Feeding fish are your target because cruising fish have somewhere to go and aren't interested. Tom emphasizes being ready at all times because permit shots happen when you least expect them, and by the time you get organized, the window closes. His insights on the mental game and reading permit behavior begin at 00:13:42.
Key Takeaways
- • Spinning tackle is far more effective than fly fishing for permit because you can cast three to four times as far and use live baits that permit eat naturally
- • Tom's go-to setup is a seven foot fast action rod with a 2,500 size Shimano Vanford or Stella, fifteen pound braid, and twenty to twenty five pound fluorocarbon leader
- • Live crabs are the number one bait for permit, with pass crabs hooked through the corner of the shell being irresistible to feeding fish
- • The presentation must be slow and natural—barely hop the jig along the bottom and never strip it toward the fish or you'll spook them
- • Permit fishing is seventy percent mental—you'll go through long stretches of refusals and missed shots, but staying focused and positive is what separates successful permit anglers
- • The approach must be silent and controlled—permit are incredibly spooky and will vanish at the slightest sound or movement
- • Target feeding fish showing tails or flashes rather than cruising fish, as feeding permit are far more likely to eat your presentation
Final Thoughts from Tom
This episode is packed with the kind of specific, actionable information that only comes from decades of time on the water. I've spent so much of my career pursuing permit because they're just that special—they test everything about you as an angler, from your casting accuracy to your patience to your ability to stay positive through rejection after rejection.
The spinning tackle approach opens up permit fishing to more people because it's simply more forgiving and more effective than fly. You get more shots, you can use the baits they actually eat, and you can adjust on the fly based on conditions. That said, it's still permit fishing, which means it's still incredibly challenging and incredibly rewarding when it all comes together.
If you've been thinking about chasing permit or if you've tried and gotten frustrated, this episode will give you the tools and the mindset you need. Get out there with the right setup, find some crabs, and put in the time. Once you catch one, you'll understand why I've dedicated so much of my life to these fish. This one's worth your time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size spinning reel is best for permit fishing?
Tom Rowland recommends a 2,500 size reel like the Shimano Vanford or Stella for flats permit fishing. This size is light enough to hold at the ready for extended periods, casts exceptionally well, and has plenty of drag capacity for permit that typically range from eight to twenty pounds.
What is the best bait for permit?
Live crabs are the number one bait for permit. In the Florida Keys, pass crabs (juvenile blue crabs about the size of a silver dollar) are most commonly used, hooked through the corner of the shell to keep them alive and kicking, which is irresistible to feeding permit.
Should I use braid or monofilament for permit fishing?
Tom prefers fifteen or ten pound braid for permit fishing because it provides exceptional casting distance and zero-stretch sensitivity to feel subtle bottom bites. While monofilament has its place and helps sink the bait, braid's casting performance and sensitivity make it the better choice for most flats situations.
How do you present a jig to permit?
Cast well ahead of the fish, let the jig sink to the bottom, and then barely hop it along with minimal action. Permit are bottom feeders picking up crabs and shrimp, so the presentation must be slow and natural. They often eat on the drop or when the jig is sitting still.
Why is permit fishing so difficult?
Permit are incredibly spooky and will leave at the slightest sound or movement. Tom Rowland says permit fishing is seventy percent mental because anglers will go through long stretches of perfect presentations that fish simply swim away from. The challenge requires patience, precise casting, silent approaches, and the ability to stay focused and positive through constant rejection.
Related Episodes
The first episode in this three-part permit series covering when to target permit throughout the year in the Florida Keys
The third episode in this permit series covering fly fishing tackle, fly selection, and presentation techniques
Tom breaks down his approach to fishing the diverse flats ecosystems of the Florida Keys
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Nick Labatey - Fishing guide and permit expert who appeared in the first episode of this three-part permit series
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Tom Rowland Podcast Knot GuideAbout this Guest
Tom Rowland
Tom Rowland is a professional fishing guide, charter captain, and host of the Tom Rowland Podcast based in the Florida Keys. With decades of experience targeting permit and other saltwater species on the flats, Tom has become one of the most respected voices in saltwater fishing. He has spent much of his career understanding and pursuing permit, which he considers his favorite fish. In this solo episode, Tom shares his hard-earned expertise on spinning tackle techniques that have proven effective through years of guiding clients and personal pursuit of these challenging fish.
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