Ghost Shrimp Pumping System. How to Find and Catch Ghost Shrimp February 2nd, 2026February is...
SPRING 2026 FISHING TOURNAMENTS
Spring 2026 Upper Limit
$40 Entry | April 1 – 30, 2026
A month-long surf-fishing grind for serious anglers. Weigh your six biggest pompano and climb the leaderboard all April long.
Spring 2026 Pompano Showdown
$45 Entry | April 10 – 12, 2026
Three days, one fish, and over $2,000 in prizes. Bring your best pompano to the weigh-in at Panhandle Salt and see where you rank.
Spring 2026 Pompano Showdown KIDS
$15 Entry | Ages 15 & Under | April 10 – 12, 2026
A family-friendly division built for young anglers ready to hit the sand. Cash and prize buckets for top finishers.
Pusching Forward: From Trial to Triumph
You have probably seen Melissa at past Panhandle Salt tournaments spreading the word and raising awareness about addiction and the fentanyl crisis. She has shown up for this community again and again, and now we get to show up for her family.
With every Panhandle Salt tournament, we donate to a cause that matters. This season, our donations are going to Pusching Forward to support Matt Pusch, who has now received his liver transplant. The surgery is a huge step forward, but the journey is not over — recovery comes with ongoing costs, including prescriptions, follow-up care, nursing support, living expenses during recovery, and transportation to frequent medical appointments. We are partnering with Help Hope Live to continue raising funds to help Matt and his family through the recovery process.
Thank you for being part of these tournaments and for helping us push Matt forward.
BECOME A SPONSOR
Be part of the tradition. Support your community. Grow with us.
Support local anglers, grow your brand, and be part of one of the Gulf Coast’s biggest surf fishing traditions. This spring marks the 10th Panhandle Salt Pompano Showdown, and we’re inviting local businesses, brands, and community partners to join us as sponsors.
As a Showdown sponsor, your contribution helps fund cash prizes, expand community participation, and strengthen the Gulf Coast fishing community. Sponsors receive on-site exposure at the weigh-in, stage mentions, social media promotion, and direct engagement with anglers and families.
Whether you choose to attend the weigh-in or send prizes to represent your brand, every sponsor is featured across both tournaments — the month-long Upper Limit and the 3-day Pompano Showdown — giving your business maximum visibility.
OUR SERVICES
Charters
Experience the Gulf Coast like never before with our guided surf-fishing charters. We provide all the gear, bait, and local knowledge you need for a productive day on the beach. Perfect for families, friends, or solo anglers ready to chase pompano, whiting, and more. Book your spot and fish the surf with confidence.
Rentals
Travel light and fish right with our full-service surf-fishing rentals. We offer rods, reels, spikes, and gear packages ready for the beach. Pickup is available around Perdido Key and Pensacola. Everything you need to fish the Gulf—without the hassle of bringing your own equipment.
Lessons
Learn the art of surf fishing with hands-on instruction from our local guides. We’ll teach you how to read the beach, retrieve fish, locate sandfleas, cast effectively, and safely handle your catch. Our lessons are designed for all ages and experience levels. Gain real skills you can use every time you hit the sand.
Gulf Coast Land Based Fishing Guide Association
Panhandle Salt is the founder of the first land based fishing guide association on the Gulf Coast. The Gulf Coast Land Based Fishing Guide Association unites surf fishing guides across the Florida Panhandle and Alabama Gulf Coast to collaborate on laws, ethics, safety standards, conservation, and professional best practices for running surf fishing charters. The association’s mission is to elevate guide professionalism, protect beach access, and serve anglers through training, resources, and community events.
Ready to learn more or join the network of certified surf fishing guides? Visit the association website below.
LATEST FROM BLOG
Winter Surf Fishing in Perdido Key: Snowbird Guide to Gear, Bait, and Tactics January 1st,...
2025
onPlanning a beach trip to Perdido Key and want to finally try surf fishing? December...
FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA
Panhandle Salt (Surf Fishing Charters & Shop)
Out of 5 stars
Overall rating out of 100 Google reviews
I just want to thank spencer, our guide. We did a shore fishing tour with our 16 year old daughter. We didn't catch anything, probably due to how late in the season it was, but this guy literally did not stop moving. Changing baits, checking poles, talking to us. He was amazing, and probably the best I've seen, and just want to say thank you. Even though the fishing was bad, you made the time very enjoyable, and you are very good at what you do. Thank you so much for everything you did. 10 out of 10.
If you wanna surf fish or learn how to surf fish, I would definitely recommend booking with these guys. Very friendly, accommodating and informative. I was only down for a few days and prior to going with these guys i was getting skunked fishing the surf. After my morning trip i went back to the condo took a hr nap, got up loaded my gear and went to beach. From about 230 to about 630 I was able to catch my limit of pompano. It was a complete 180 from what i had been doing prior. Made small adjustments to my gear, tatics and used the information i was taught and SLAYED them. If you go pay attention to small detials and you to can catch them like the guides
Great people and great experience. Guides and owner are very laid back yet professional- great with the kiddos and enjoyed the time. Highly recommended!!
Donnie was a great guide! Very personable and would fish with him again any day of the week. Conditions were rough but he accomplished the mission and didn’t go back to Texas empty handed. Highly recommend!
Great guide, great trip, very educational
We hired Blane Roberts with Panhandle Salt charter services, and it was one of the smartest decisions we made in our new love for surf fishing. From the very beginning of contact to the day of our charter, Blane was super knowledgeable, punctual, communicative, and a pleasure to be around! We'll definitely be using him again for the future as well as passing on his name and his services! He’s awesome!
My guide‘s name was Spencer, he was great. He worked his butt off and got us three nice Pompano right at sunset, very professional. I would recommend him to anybody definitely worth the money. Panhandle Salt as a class organization.
We’ve done this tournament for 3 years now and it’s so much fun! It’s always great to be on the beach but to be there fishing with family and friends is the best! Then meeting other anglers during fishing and at weigh in is so much fun!
We had the most amazing time surf fishing with Panhandle Salt! Blaine was informative and answered all questions when we booked our trip. Donnie was an amazing guide. We caught multiple different kinds of fish. He taught us so much and we enjoyed every minute of it. I would highly recommend Panhandle Salt if you are looking to do some surf fishing! You won’t be disappointed! Jeff & Cammy
We booked a last minute trip and Blane put us with Donnie. We had a great time, caught several pompano and learned a lot about teniques from a guide who has been chasing fish from the beach for many many years. I highly recommend coming by and supporting these guys in spreading the word about the fun of surf fishing. It can be so relaxing and exciting all in one package. You definitely can't beat the view of the sun coming up on the Gulf Coast while catching fish.
Had an absolutely fantastic time surf fishing with Panhandle Salt! Blane was our guide and he was excellent. Even though we had to navigate challenging June grass from Florida to Alabama, we found clean water, and got on the fish! Blane's response time was super quick when booking and coordinating, he was constantly checking poles and bait, answering all our questions, and giving great pointers. We'll definitely be booking again! Highly recommend!
Had an awesome time fishing with Blane. We had about six of us guys out there and we all got a chance to reel one in(it’s okay that mine was the smallest). Crazy part was the fish were biting within minutes of the lines being casted out, Blane knows what he’s doing. 10/10 would recommend for any group to do while along the Gulf shores! The biggest two fish we caught that day made for a great post fishing trip lunch, Thanks for a great experience Blane ✊🏽
We had the most memorable and fun experience with Panhandle Salt! Multiple wild moments and landed a black tip shark which made the whole trip worth it! Great group of people and our guide was an awesome human. Can’t wait to come back and do it all again!
Blaine was super accommodating and friendly. He set us up with two great guides that taught us a bunch about surf fishing and it was clear they were just as passionate about it as we were. Caught some delicious Pompano and took home some great memories!
