Permit Caught At TX City Dike!

Quite a few anglers think they’ve caught a permit in Texas, but are disappointed to find out it was a southern pompano (a close relative) or even a jack crevalle (similar shape and colors).

Christy Real caught and released a permit while fishing the Texas City Dike in late March. The Galveston ecosystem has had several small permit caught in net samples over the last few years according to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department sources. Congrats to Christy on the catch of a lifetime!

Permit are stunning flats species that get big and are part of the prestigious Flats Slam which includes bonefish and tarpon. Permit are said to be the moodiest of flats slam species and will often ignore the most perfectly placed lure or fly.

We have a full feature on the Flats Slam with a special emphasis on Texas in the July/August 2022 edition of Texas Fish & Game.

Permit are also present in Texas in small numbers.

Jared Guinn caught the Texas state record in the Gulf of Mexico in 1993. It only weighed 1.50 pounds. I’ve heard anecdotal evidence of permit close to this size caught in the Galveston Bay complex in recent years, from very informed anglers.

One of Capt. Brian Barerra’s young clients, Rider Colvin, caught a permit in the South Padre area. It wasn’t a monster but in a very real way, it was the catch of a lifetime.

Have you ever caught a permit in Texas? Or a bonefish?

If you have send photos and we will publish in a future story.

Email chester@chestermoore.com.

You can listen to an intriguing program on permit via the player below.