Honduras

6. Roatan, Honduras

Roatan, in the Bay Islands of Honduras, isn't often thought of as a permit destination. But as I found out last year, there are plenty of fish there. I had the opportunity to fish out of Mango Creek Lodge with outfitter Jason Balogh of Honduras on the Fly.

Although we didn't catch any fish, we did see plenty of fish and have a number of shots. This is primarily a wade fishery. It's one of the most challenging and rewarding ways to fish for perms — particularly when they decide to swim off the edge of the reef into deep water, spelling shredded fly line.

Nearly all of the fish here are tailing, and very small flies are the key to success. Whereas crab patterns seem to work best elsewhere, Balogh has had the most success with small patterns like Bonefish Bitters.

U.S. Destinations

Without a doubt, some of the best permit fishing in the world — particularly for big fish — can be had right here in the Lower 48. Areas like Mexico and Belize may offer the 101 course on permit fishing, but South Florida is the Ph.D. program.

7. Biscayne Bay, Miami, Florida

Starting in Miami's Biscayne Bay, anglers can target some of the largest permit in the world. Although there is some traditional fishing for tailing permit available, the majority of fish are cruising deeper edges or hanging over coral heads.

8. Key West, Florida

The same is true of Key West and the Marquesas, home to probably more big permit than any place else in the world. The flats and channels between Sugarloaf Key and the Marquesas are the same waters that the legendary Del Brown fished to catch the majority of his 500-plus permit.

"If you want to catch a truly large permit, there's probably no place in the world better than the Lower Keys," says flats guide Chris Aubut of The Salt Water Angler. "We've also got a variety of situations to fish them, whether it's tailing in shallow water, holding over coral heads on the edges of flats or laid up in channels slurping crabs floating out on the tide. The options are endless."

Because of the size of the fish in both areas, heavier rods in the 10- or 11-weight class are necessary to loft larger, heavier crab patterns like Del's Merkin or Borski's Chernobyl. A heavier rod also helps combat the ever-present trade winds.

"Our best permit fishing is during the spring and fall," says Aubut. "But we do have the chance to fish for permit year-round, as long as the weather cooperates. Ideally, you want a little bit of a breeze to put a ripple on the water. That seems to make the fish less skittish. It's kind of a fine line between just enough breeze to keep the permit off guard and white caps."

The Bahamas

Most anglers don't think of the Bahamas when they talk about chasing permit. But according to Klug, there are some exceptional opportunities both on the west side of Andros and in the Abacos.

9. Andros Island, Bahamas

Prescott Smith's Stafford Creek Lodge offers some of the best permit fishing in the island chain. Most of the time, the permit (averaging more than 15 pounds) are caught on the west side of the island or in the Joulter Cayes while fishing for tarpon. It's not uncommon for the Stafford Creek guides to have anglers ready with two different outfits, one for 'poons and one for perms. This is more like fishing in the Florida Keys, and Smith's staff uses a unique approach to access the best waters available around Andros — they actually trailer their skiffs to numerous boat ramps around the island — saving anglers from what can be back-breaking skiff rides.

10. Abaco, Bahamas

Another serious permit locale in the Bahamas is the Abacos. Anglers fishing out of Sandy Point have the chance to chase these elusive game fish from Dolphin and Action Craft skiffs around Gorda Cay and Mores Island.

Both Bahamian locations offer large fish that can be as challenging as their southern Florida cousins.

So, there you have it — permit destinations in a nutshell. Like we said, some folks might not agree with this list. They might have had better or worse experiences at these or other locations. These are a starting point. And chances are, once you see those giant, rubbery lips open up to gobble down a crab fly, you'll catch permit fever. And like several generations of anglers have already found out — there is no cure.