Bahamas Permit Fishing at Soul Fly Lodge

Challenging. Obsessive. Unforgettable. Permit fishing in the Bahamas is a pursuit that rewards patience, precision, and persistence. Soul Fly Lodge gives you access to prime permit flats, seasoned guides, and the kind of experiences that make permit anglers return year after year.

 

Permit Angling At Its Finest

Permit are elusive, powerful, and demand the best from every angler. For many, they’re the most rewarding fish to catch on fly. The Bahamas offer more permit habitat than most realize, and the Berry Islands hold secret zones where these fish tail, cruise, and feed in truly targetable situations.

Soul Fly Lodge is one of the few places in the Bahamas where seasoned permit anglers and first-time permit seekers alike can find legitimate opportunities thanks to our seasoned guide staff.

 

Permit Opportunities on Great Harbour Cay

Our waters offer technical permit shots over coral rubble, turtle grass, and white sand edges. You'll work with guides who understand their movement, behavior, and timing, helping you capitalize on the moment all flats anglers dream about.

From solo cruisers to small pods, permit sightings can happen year-round, with the best conditions often aligning in spring, late summer, and fall.

  • Real permit shots

  • Experienced, permit-savvy guides

  • Unpressured waters

 

Catch a Permit, Earn the Badge

At Soul Fly Lodge, landing a permit isn’t just another catch, it’s a huge milestone that deserves to be celebrated.

Successful permit anglers receive a handcrafted wooden sculpture and a custom medallion to commemorate the achievement. It’s our way of honoring the pursuit and the angler’s grit.

 

Soul Fly Journal: Explore Our Articles On Bahamas Permit Fishing

Learn more about fly patterns, gear recommendations, and what to expect when chasing permit in the Bahamas. These articles will help you prepare for your next shot.

 

Permit Fly Selection for Bahamas Flats

Lines, Leaders, & Terminal Tackle For Soul Fly Lodge

Soul Fly Permit Fishing Media Gallery

Bahamas fly fishing for permit client holding big permit
client stripping line at soul fly lodge while fishing for permit on the flats
Hero shot with big bahamas permit
Big Bahamas Permit Caught On Fly
Close up photo of permit caught on fly
Angler releasing permit under the water
angler tying on permit fly
Happy angler holding a permit at Soul Fly Lodge

Bahamas Permit Fishing FAQs

  • Permit fishing is available year-round, but we see our best windows during spring and fall when conditions align. Think stable weather, good light, and warming tides. That said, permit don’t follow a perfect calendar. When the weather and water cooperate, we get shots. Our team watches the tides and movement closely, giving you the best possible setup for success on any given day. Check out our post on the fishing seasons at Soul Fly for a thorough rundown.

  • The flats around Great Harbour Cay aren’t overpressured, and our permit habitat is special. Coral rubble edges, turtle grass transitions, and sandy troughs that create prime feeding zones. While permit fishing is always a challenge, the quality of our fishery and the experience of our guides give you real shots in real permit country. This isn’t a numbers game, it’s a quality-over-quantity pursuit built around stealth, strategy, and moments you’ll remember.

  • We recommend a fast-action 9- or 10-weight rod with a reliable saltwater reel and floating tropical fly line. Leaders are typically 10–16 feet of 16–20 lb fluorocarbon. Flies like the Alphlexo Crab, EP Spawning Shrimp, and Avalon Shrimp are go-tos for us — especially when tied with lead or heavy bead chain eyes. For deeper insight into how we approach fly selection for permit, check out our article on Fly Selection Methodology.

  • No, but you do need to be committed. Permit fishing rewards anglers who come prepared with sharp casting skills and the right mindset. Our guides will help you understand the approach, the shot, and how to react when it all lines up. And if you’re newer to flats fishing, no worries, you’ll likely get shots at bonefish too, which helps build that essential skill set. Here is a great look into what a day of fishing is like at Soul Fly Lodge.

  • Quiet boat. Good light. Patience. When a permit is spotted, we’ll position the skiff for your cast. You’ll usually want a lead of 4 to 6 feet, depending on current, depth, and fish behavior. Your guide will talk you through the shot. The goal is to deliver a crab or shrimp pattern that gets to the in front of the fish quickly and moves right when they see it. Timing and confidence are everything.

  • We mark the occasion with a custom wooden sculpture and a Soul Fly medallion to honor the moment. It’s our way of recognizing a serious achievement in saltwater fly fishing — and a way to connect you permanently to the Berry Islands!

  • Absolutely. We prefer that you do. While permit require specific conditions and focused effort, we often pair our days to take advantage of both species depending on tides, light, and fish activity. If conditions are right, it’s not uncommon to have permit shots in the morning and stalk bonefish in the afternoon — or vice versa. Our guides will adapt to give you the best opportunities.

  • Get your casting sharp, especially quick 40-foot shots into the wind. Know your knots, have your flies dialed, and show up ready to commit. Permit fishing can be slow and then instantly electric. Want to get your fly box dialed? Start with our Fly Selection Methodology and Our Fly Selection Guide—both lay out what works here and why.