If you’re not sure if you’ve just caught a large pompano or a small permit, just reach in its mouth and rub the fish’s tongue. If you feel “teeth” on its tongue, you’ve caught a juvenile permit. Pomps have toothless tongues.

When young they sure look alike and are definitely some of the best tasting fish that swim in local waters, as well as being great fighting sportfish. As they grow, the difference is easy to spot as permit grow to over to 50 pounds with its little cousin considered big at 5 pounds. The permit world record stands at 60 pounds with the Florida record at 56 pounds 2 ounces.

On the flats, the permit is considered to be one of the toughest fish in the world to fool using a fly, even tougher than the always skittish bonefish. These hard-fighting fish are a lot easier to catch in deeper water during the near and offshore early summer spawn, and then again in fall.

To permit small crabs are king. If your livewell contains small crabs (2-3 inches, up to 4 inches) you’re in business even though permit also dine on shrimp and a variety of small bait fish. When fishing crabs for permit or tarpon always check your hook point after running it through the crab’s shell. Touch it up with a small file before casting if you aren’t confident.

I always get a kick out of watching new inshore anglers fight the smaller pompano on a deeply bent, light weight trout rod. Almost all say, “Wow! I’ve got a huge fish on the line!” Then minutes later totally surprised, “Wow, I thought it was going to be a whole lot bigger?”

Both permit and pompano are part of the always hard-fighting jack family which, of course, includes the “Mr. Bad Attitude” and not so tasty, jack crevalle.

Although we’re lucky to have permit on near shore structure, this area isn’t really known as a permit flats destination. Luckily, world class skinny water stalking grounds are a short drive away in Biscayne Bay and, of course, all through the Keys. (If you can afford the gas for the truck and boat, which may be up another quarter more per gallon before you finish reading this.)

When fishing near shore, don’t be surprised if you hook a snook of a lifetime as many frequent near-shore structure in summer. Diver buddies often report huge snook sightings on coastal rocks.

While hunting offshore this week, watch for curious cobia that will inhale brightly colored bucktail jigs, 12-inch plastic eels, pinfish or whitebaits. Don’t “sky bomb” the fish; cast ahead so you cross paths on the retrieve.

Heading out to deeper water you’ll find assorted snappers and groupers. For those that enjoy catching and eating red snapper, your time is coming as the season opens June 17 through July 31 with 5 more weekend dates starting in October, then ending Thanksgiving weekend.

It’s humidity and lightning time in Southwest Florida. If someone on the boat exhibits signs of heat exhaustion, get them in the shade and off the water ASAP. Basic signs include: headache, nausea, thirst, dizziness and general weakness.

Keep wet towels in the ice chest to wrap around your neck for a nice cool down while fishing and drink lots of water.

Of the years I’ve fished in freezing Canadian musky tournaments, dangerous Great Lakes high winds, torrential rains, to Florida Keys sweltering heat conditions, but when it comes to lightning I don’t gamble, I’m going in. Southwest Florida is lightning central and like alligators, will take you out. Waiting to leave to catch “just one more” could be fatal. As captain, it’s your responsibility to keep everyone safe.

For lite tackle, flats shark fans, the action is heating up. A 50-pound shark on a heavy snook rod in 2 feet of water puts on quite a rod bending, drag screaming show.

Capt. George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide. Contact him at 239-282-9434 or captgeorget3@aol.com.