FISHING NEWS - september 2025 - PERDIDO KEY, FLORIDA
September 27th, 2025
June Grass Perdido Key
September 26th, 2025
Parking Lot Fishing Lessons. Our lessons start as soon as we get out of the truck. 3.5 hours of continuous information.
September 21st, 2025
There’s Crap, and then These. #luckysinkers has been making a splash in the Sputnik game.
September 21st, 2025
Do You Trust Tackle Like This? These have a great theory, but what if they don’t release? I’ll have to play with them for a while before deciding.
September 18th, 2025
Prepping The Most OP Bait on the Market.
September 16th, 2025
The SMART Pompano Float.
September 15th, 2025
The Big Ones Always Do This.
The Best Kid-Friendly Beach Activity in Perdido Key & Pensacola (Fall Guide)
September 17th, 2025
Why surf fishing is a win for families
- No seasickness: You’re on solid sand, not a rocking boat.
- Low cost: Basic setup (rod, spike, small tackle box) beats charter boat pricing.
- Safe & supervised: Guided, land-based, with clear rules and beach awareness.
- High excitement: Fast bites from whiting, pompano, bluefish, and ladyfish keep kids engaged.
- Hands-on learning: Reading waves, catching bait, reeling in fish—real skills kids remember.
Why fall is the sweet spot on the Gulf Coast
Cooler mornings, lighter crowds, and clean water lines make September–November prime time around Perdido Key and Pensacola. Bait runs close to the beach, and family schedules (fall break trips, long weekends) line up perfectly with dawn/dusk windows.
What a kid-focused session looks like
We tailor the pace to your crew—attention spans included.
- Quick setup: How to use a sand spike, bait a hook, and reel in safely
- Active fishing: Short, upbeat intervals so rods stay bending and kids stay stoked.
- Mini lessons: Find the troughs/sandbars, identify fish, measure and release properly, catch sand fleas.
- Memory moment: Photos, a first-fish pin if it’s their very first catch, and a simple “what we learned” recap.
Our trips are 3.5 hours, so we are not spending all morning on the beach. We have little ones. We know the attention span struggles.
Safety first (how we keep it calm & controlled)
- Beach brief: Where to stand, where not to stand, and why.
- Handling. Knbowing what we can hold, and what fish we should be awaer of.
- Spacing: Rods spread with safe casting lanes; no lines near swimmers.
- Weather calls: If lightning or dangerous surf pops up, we pivot or reschedule. Simple.
Best kid-friendly areas to fish (easy access)
- Perdido Key: Johnson Beach (Gulf Islands National Seashore) & Perdido Key State Park—room to spread out, clean structure, bathrooms nearby.
- Pensacola Beach: Fort Pickens (west end) for current edges and wildlife sightings; east of Portofino Towers for long, uncrowded stretches and classic pompano water.
Make it a Fall Tradition
If you’re planning a Perdido Key or Pensacola family vacation, surf fishing is a zero-drama, high-reward add-on. You’ll beat boat motion sickness, skip the high ticket price, and give kids a memory that outlasts the beach day.
Stop by the shop or book a family lesson:
Panhandle Salt Surf Fishing
13595 Perdido Key Dr • Pensacola, FL 32507
Family-Friendly, Niche Bait & Tackle
Charters & Lessons Available
Live here? A kid-paced lesson now sets your family up for DIY fall weekends—we’ll help you dial rigs, pick tides, and choose Pensacola/Perdido Key access points that fit your routine.
We promise your kids won’t be bored surf fishing.
But if they are, we’ve always got a mop ready. 😅
September 14th, 2025
Watching Josh Roth climb the ranks has been inspiring. I met him back in 2022 when Thunder and I saw him battle a 300lb nurse shark with his Swellpro drone. Since then, he’s gone all in on River’s Edge Reproductions—and recently landed the honor of reproducing one of Bill Dance’s trophy catches.
September 13th, 2025
Owen Gilley with a nice red caught on the 4" Al Gag Whip It Fish plastic.
All new items are live on the website and stocked on the shelves!
Thanks for the support, and see you on the Beach!
Happy 4 Years to Our Facebook Group!
September 13th, 2025
This month marks a special milestone for the Panhandle Salt community — our Facebook group just turned 4 years old. What began as a small space for sharing tournament updates has grown into a hub for Florida Panhandle surf fishing events, tournaments, and community news.
Over the years, we’ve seen surf fishing brands rise through the ranks using this group as a launchpad, with some once-unknown names now recognized across the Gulf Coast fishing community. That kind of growth is exactly what we hoped for when we started this group.
As our business has expanded with charters, tournaments, and the shop, managing the group year-round has become more challenging. To keep things active and valuable for anglers, we’re exploring adding new admins. With more hands on deck, the group can stay fresh, encourage more events, and continue to support surf anglers throughout the year.
We’re grateful for the support of every member who’s been part of this journey. Four years in, and the mission remains the same — to provide a one-stop spot for surf fishing events hosted by Panhandle Salt and our partners. Here’s to many more years of growth, tournaments, and community connections.
September 13st, 2025
300-Pound Fish caught Off Perdido Key.
September 12th, 2025
Not What I Was Expecting. We get these guys here and there along the Gulf Coast. Not huge ones, but still a treat.
September 11th, 2025
What Would You Do? This is why I avoid popular beaches in and around Perdido. You get people like this.
September 10th, 2025
The Pink Crustacean has giving me 3 species in 24 hours. I got 2 back to back 25” Reds this afternoon, and a few pomp’s and permit yesterday.
Sand Fleas and FishGum Candy.
September 10th, 2025
I Get In Trouble for Doing This. The Forgotten Angler always yells at me when I neglect my rods to fiddle with my cameras. Got to get the footage Larry or it doesn’t count.
September 9th, 2025
Decent afternoon. Permit and the two pomp’s came on the Crustacean Rig “Pink” shrimp and Pomp Candy FishGum Wet Sand #perdidoleader
Out deep.
September 9th, 2025
New Leader and Braid Update
September 8th, 2025
Experience the lines that had surf fishing in mind during creation.
What’s in a Name?
September 8th, 2025
When we chose the name Panhandle Salt, I got some pushback from friends in the industry. They worried I’d be boxing myself in, tied too closely to the Gulf Coast. I understood their concern, but I countered with examples: Columbia, North Face, Arizona Tea — brands with geographic names that aren’t limited by them. A name is just a handle. What matters is the work behind it.
Yes, we focus hard on teaching the Gulf, selling gear for this region, and highlighting the species that live here. But surf fishing is surf fishing — and most of what we share translates far beyond the Panhandle.
Looking back over our online sales from the past year proves the point.
Our #1 shipping destination for FishGum? St. Augustine, Florida — the Atlantic.
North Carolina came in close behind. Most of our rigs, weights, lures, and leaders go out of area. That tells me one thing: our community is bigger than our zip code. So while we are proudly Panhandle-based, we are United States strong.
Black Friday Deals… Not Always a Bargain
September 8th, 2025
Back in 2022, Frisky Fins and I scored what felt like a steal, a couple of offshore kayaks on a Black Friday deal. The catch? Neither of us had any experience offshore in a plastic boat. Guess who got to be the test dummy? Yep… me.
Let me just say: if you’re thinking about taking one of these things offshore, bring a friend or two. Being out there solo was sketchy enough, and this could have gone a whole lot worse. Luckily, I made it back in one piece with nothing more than a story and a reminder that some “deals” come with extra risk baked in.
Lesson learned.
September 7th, 2025
Look at this Freaking Glow Daddy. G-Eye Jigs Rain Minnows now available in house, and online at our shop.
Installing Beach Tires on my Cart
September 6th, 2025
Benjamin's Beach Wheels — Install & Tips
Benjamin’s Beach Wheels are getting ready to drop their next design, and we’re lucky enough to have a set on the way. While getting prepped, I remembered a video I filmed installing the current version and clipped it down to share, hopefully it helps anyone who’s looking to buy a set from the company.
Pro tip: Take your time with the install and think through all the scenarios, including how the cart will ride in the back of your truck once those wheels are on. A little planning up front saves a lot of headaches latrer
September 6th, 2025
My boy Owen Gilley stopped by this morning to let us know he has been slaying the trout on the 1/2oz Chrome Assassin we just got in. Chrome spoon with a glow assist hook.
Thanks for tackle testing for us buddy.
FWC & Florida Sea Grant Stop By Panhandle Salt
September 5th, 2025
This week we had the honor of hosting MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife Erin Pereira. and Rick O’Connor from Florida Sea Grant at the shop. Two key items were on the agenda:
Land-based surf fishing charters, how to get our profession organized, protected, and respected along the Gulf Coast.
Upcoming Spotted Seatrout Rulemaking Workshops, a chance for anglers to directly shape the future of this iconic fishery.
These workshops are open to the public, and your input as a saltwater angler is needed. Bring your ideas, experiences, and recommendations about the future of speckled trout management.
Workshop Schedule (6:00–8:00 PM each night):
Pensacola — September 8th @ Pensacola Public Library (239 N Spring St)
Panama City — September 9th @ Bay County Public Library (898 W 11th St)
Destin — September 11th @ Destin Fishing Museum (108 Stahlman Ave)
This is your chance to have a voice in how regulations are shaped. The more input, the better the outcome for our fisheries. For more information visit https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/rulemaking/workshops/...
Comments can be submitted here: https://myfwc.com/.../rulem.../saltwater-public-comments/...
New Invasive Species Alert
We also discussed a recent FWRI press release about a new invasive species to the northern Gulf — the thrush cowrie.
Native to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, it was first reported on Florida’s east coast in 2022 and is now showing up along the Panhandle.
They thrive in waters under 25’, feeding on vegetation.
Their larvae are planktonic, carried by currents or transported in ship ballast water.
They secrete eggs on hard surfaces like jetties and seawalls.
If you find this snail, remove it and report the sighting to your local Sea Grant Agent at the Extension Office. https://www.facebook.com/escambia.extension
This is a reminder that we’re all stewards of the Gulf. From attending workshops to pulling invasive species, every action helps keep our fishery strong.
September 4th, 2025
Two Pomp Donnie does it again. Panhandle Salt Surf Fishing Guide Donnie Hickey has has a steady streak this week of bringing back 2 pompano along with a half a dozen Whiting.
Donnie took our friend Doug here, and I ran a lesson with local Robert Leveronne. Robert is making the boat to surf transition, and left the shop a new Assassin Tackle USA Rod owner.
Fall is right around the corner my friends.
September 3rd, 2025
Thank you Assassin Tackle USA. It’s been great working with you guys over the past year. Panhandle Salt has been officially brought onboard as an Assassin Ambassador, and will be giving the new products a go as they are released.
September 3rd, 2025
This Thing is Going to Work. The Chrome Assassin. .5 and 1oz versions with a glow assist hook. These should cast a mile.
Surf Trout
Solo Mission Success
Solo Mission Success
September 3rd, 2025
They have been picky, but after 3 days I believe I have them dialed in. They are after one thing before the sun comes up, and something totally different after we get some light.
This one was a baby compared to the one Derf interfered with. That one had my heart pumping. Derf swooped in, hit the line, loss tension, and gone.
It took me a few minutes to recover after that mentally. Derf and I are not on good terms right now.
27lb Grass #perdidoleader was the right choice this morning. They are hitting hard, and the line blends into the vegetation we have out there right now.
Solo Mission Success
Solo Mission Success
Solo Mission Success
September 2nd, 2025
Our friend Jacob has been on a solo surf fishing run from Texas the last few days. With no one to slow him down, he’s been sprinting up and down the Panhandle, dodging grass, chasing clean water, and hunting a pomp or two to take home.
We teamed him up with Panhandle Salt guide Donnie to cap off the trip. Jacob left a happy fisherman; Donnie left with a pocket full of tip money. Win–win.
Now we’re rolling into what I call our “Fall Guys” season—anglers who wait for the summer traffic to fade, then slide in for a saltwater fix. It’s my favorite time of year to surf fish: hoodie weather, shorts and flip-flops, holidays on deck, and plenty of species in play (pompano, reds, flounder, and trout).
It won't be long now. See you on the sand.
Beach Clean Up (Post Labor Day)
September 2nd, 2025
Couldn’t be more proud of our volunteers this morning who donated their time:
Sig’s Breakfast & Burgers + Perdido Key Bike Rentals covered Access 1
Gillikin's Island handled the Parasail spot down to Access 2
Larry Grossman the The Forgotten Angler worked Access 2 west into the State Park with Thunder and MariTirado on his trail.
Rick Choate hit Johnson Beach
In just over an hour we cleared a ton of debris off the sand. Amazing what gets done with a few friends and a willingness to give back.
Thank you to everyone who showed up and supported the Gulf Coast Land-Based Fishing Guide Association. This is how we work with our beaches—not against them.
See you on the sand.
Where to Go Surf Fishing in Perdido Key and Pensacola
There’s nothing quite like digging your toes into warm sand while reeling in a feisty fish from the surf. For many locals and visitors, “going with the flow” means casting into the Gulf with the chance of bringing home a fresh dinner.
Whether you’re brand new to the sport or an angler with years of experience, Perdido Key and nearby Pensacola are loaded with fishing-friendly beaches where you can unwind, rod in hand, and worries left behind. And with Panhandle Salt Surf Fishing right here on the island, we’re always ready to point you in the right direction — from gear and bait to lessons and charters.
Top Spots Around Perdido Key
Johnson Beach (Gulf Islands National Seashore): Wide stretches of sand, excellent for pompano, whiting, and reds.
Perdido Key State Park: Family-friendly access with great surf fishing opportunities.
Perdido Pass: Just across the bridge — a hotspot for Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and bull reds when the current is running.
Top Spots in Pensacola
Fort Pickens (Gulf Islands National Seashore): Legendary for its access to both surf and deeper water species. Expect pompano, reds, and even a shot at larger predators when the tides are moving.
East of Portofino Towers: This long stretch of undeveloped beach is a hidden gem. With less foot traffic and wide sandbars, it’s perfect for targeting pompano, whiting, and speckled trout — especially in the spring and fall runs.
Pro Tips Before You Hit the Sand
*Use a double-hook rig with circle hooks paired with a pyramid or Sputnik sinker to hold steady in the surf.
*Look for structure — sandbars, drop-offs, or shadows in the water where fish feed.
*Fish early mornings or late evenings when the beach is quieter and fish are more active.
*Avoid crowded swimming areas. Not only is it safer, but fish spook easily.
Visit Us In Perdido Key
Surf fishing in Perdido Key and Pensacola isn’t just about fish! It’s about slowing down, connecting with the water, and experiencing the Gulf in a whole new way. Whether you’re a visitor or a local, the beach is waiting.
📍 Visit us at 13595 Perdido Key Dr. or check us out online to book a lesson, a charter, or gear up for your next trip.