Upper Limit Fall 2025 Wrap-Up
A Huge Thank You to Everyone Who Fished The Upper Limit
October 30th, 2025.
Our third Upper Limit Tournament is officially in the books — and once again, it reminded us why this community is so special. From all of us at Panhandle Salt Surf Fishing, thank you to every angler who hit the sand, weighed their fish, and kept the Gulf spirit alive all month long.
A huge shout-out to our sponsors —
Sig’s Breakfast & Burgers, Perdido Key Bike Rentals, and NOEoutdoors — for making this month-long grind possible. Without their support, events like this wouldn’t happen.
What We Learned This Year
Every tournament brings lessons, and this one was no different. Here’s what stood out:
*Asking out-of-area anglers to drive to the weigh station isn’t ideal — it adds stress and eats up valuable fishing time.
*The two-scale system didn’t work the way we hoped (we learned that again this spring).
*The “guide division” didn’t serve its purpose — most surf guides still work full-time like everyone else.
Because of this, we’re exploring a 365-day format for The Upper Limit: a year-long challenge where anglers can build their six-fish Florida pompano limit over time and watch the leaderboard evolve. More updates coming soon.
Shoutouts to the Anglers Who Left It All on the Beach
These anglers showed dedication — juggling work, family, and tides to make it happen:
Brandon Crockett • Asa Shaw • Ethan Harper • Bill Cox • David Miller • Chip Jackson
You all made the leaderboard and represented the Gulf Coast well.
Congratulations to Our Champions
Guides Division
🏆 Larry Grossman — The only guide to post a full limit, and he didn’t just win his division — he beat everyone.
Heaviest limit and heaviest single fish in both divisions. $500 cash winner.
When Larry enters a tournament, you pay attention. Congrats, Larry — see you on the 9th!
Warriors Division
1. Sean Olson — 15.78 lbs. Sean fishes more than me. Congratulations, my friend. $500 cash winner.
2. Justin Sawicki — 15.56 lbs (held first place for two straight weeks — what a run!)
3. Mack Spruill — 14.38 lbs and the heaviest fish in the division at 3.28 lbs — the only angler to weigh two 3-pounders.
Next Up: The Main Event
The Fall 2025 Panhandle Salt Pompano Showdown kicks off November 7–9! First Place: $2,000 CASH Plus stacked prize buckets for podium finishers The warm-up is done — now it’s time for the 3-day banger we all wait for. See you on the sand and in the shop.
leaderboard
October 30th, 2025 AT 3:15 PM
October 28th, 2025. There has been a shift. New 1st place sitting at 15.78 as of 10:15am October 28th. Weekend Warriors division.
October 25th, 2025 at 8:30 AM
October 22th, 2025 at 3:30 PM
October 18th, 2025
October 18th, 2025
October 11th, 2025
October 11th, 2025. New Leader Angler W57. 14.2 lbs total weight.
FALL 2025 UPPER LIMIT UPDATES
October 30th, 2025
24 Hours Left in The Upper Limit.
W53 and W57 are trading punches, neck and neck after a week of grind-it-out sessions and last-minute weigh-ins.
W58 started late but came in hot, posting a 12.52 and proving there’s still room to climb. Another ~3 lbs on the board puts W58 right in the fight.
I’ve loved watching the chess match from behind the counter and talking strategy with everybody rolling through the shop. 24 hours is a long time in this game—one tank can flip the script.
Final weigh-in 3:00pm Friday Oct 31st
W53: 15.78 W57: 15.56 W58: 12.52
Larry Grossman 16:68 Guide Division
October 18th, 2025
A quick shout-out to some anglers putting in serious work during the Fall Upper Limit!
Let’s recognize a few names that have been showing up day after day, Brandon Crockett, Chip Jackson, Asa Shaw, Justin Sawicki, and Ethan Harper.
These guys are giving every spare minute they can to the tournament. Sure, there’s a little friendly competition between them, but the sportsmanship has been awesome to watch — cheering each other on, sharing reports, and even planning trips together.
This is exactly why the Upper Limit was created, a month-long event that gives the weekend and after-work anglers time to get out there, have fun, and build community. Huge thanks for all the support, both on the sand and in the shop. Keep grinding, fellas, it’s still anybody’s game!
Current Big Fish Weekend Guys, Mac Spruill with 3.38
Current Big Fish Guides, Larry Grossman with 4.26
A special shout out to Panhandle Salt Surf Fishing Guide Donnie Hickey for holding first place in smallest fish at 1.00lb on the nose. I was scared to measure it was so small. No tail clip needed. That little thing probably disintegrated on the way home.
October 18th, 2025
The Forgotten Angler climbing the ranks. The Upper Limit and Gulf Breeze. Way to go my friend.
October 16th, 2025
Upper Limit sponsor Sig’s Breakfast & Burgers will be opened back up this coming weekend.
Located in front of Lillians Pizza, thisw is a great spot to swing in for a breakfest sandwiche, or early lunch when you get off the beach in the mornings. Homemade fries and hash browns, sliders, bacon, all the good stuff.
Keep him in mind when you need a re-fuel after, or before a surf session.
October 12th, 2025
Congratulations to Upper Limit angler #W53 for being the first on the board. 6 pompano weighed in.
October 3rd, 2025
First pompanos weighed in. 4 more for this angler and he is on the board.
October 3rd, 2025
It’s on! Good luck anglers.
Registration for the Upper Limit closes within the hour!
October 2nd, 2025
Thank you to everyone who has already signed up.
A quick note on weigh-ins:
*If you plan to fish afternoons and the shop is closed by the time you get off the beach, you’ll need to weigh in the following morning.
*On mornings we have charters, we’re at the shop by 5:30 AM prepping and gone by 6:00, returning by 9:30-10:00.
*On non-charter mornings, we’re in by 7:00 AM.
*Text us the night before to gather store hours for the following day.
*Official registration numbers will be posted tomorrow on the tournament page.
Good luck, anglers! October could be your month!
NOEoutdoors Named Headline Sponsor for The Upper Limit Pompano Tournament
September 10th, 2025
We’re proud to welcome NOEoutdoors as the Headline Sponsor for the Fall 2025 Upper Limit Pompano Tournament, starting October 3 on Perdido Key.
Led by Carl Noe, NOEoutdoors is known for their fishing expos in Cartersville and Greenville, with plans to bring the new Pensacola Coastal Fishing Expo in 2027. Panhandle Salt already has a booth secured, and this partnership helps bring even more attention to Gulf Coast anglers.
A big thanks to NOEoutdoors for backing a grassroots pompano tournament built for weekend warriors and after-work anglers. October is just the beginning as we roll into Showdown season.
Local Flavor: Sig’s Breakfast & Burgers
September 22th, 2025
Fuel your day at Sig’s Breakfast & Burgers, a proud sponsor of the Upper Limit Fall 2025 Pompano Tournament. Founded by Chandler Mathieson, Sig’s is the go-to spot in Perdido Key for locals, tourists, beach-goers, and get-homers who want something quick, delicious, and made right.
Whether you’re grabbing breakfast before hitting the sand or a burger after a long day on the water, Sig’s Breakfast & Burgers serves up flavor that keeps the Gulf Coast moving.
📍 Sig’s Breakfast & Burgers
14508 Perdido Key Dr.
Pensacola, FL, United States
+1 (678) 551-8671
Perdido Key Bike Rentals – Sponsor Spotlight
September 22th, 2025
Visiting Perdido Key for the Upper Limit Fall 2025 Pompano Tournament? Make the most of your trip with Perdido Key Bike Rentals. They’re the island’s first full-service rental shop offering beach cruisers, electric bikes, and slingshots—with free delivery and pick-up to your vacation spot.
Explore Johnson Beach, Perdido Key State Park, or just cruise the coast in style. Quick, easy, and built for fun—Perdido Key Bike Rentals is your go-to for adventure.
📍 Perdido Key Bike Rentals
13700 Perdido Key Drive, Suite 104
Pensacola, FL, United States
+1 (850) 490-2100
Surf Fishing Breakfast.
September 22th, 2025
Did you know we have a quick and easy, grab and go breakfast spot here in Perdido Key?
Sig’s Breakfast & Burgers opens early and runs through lunch. If you know where Lillian’s Pizza is, you can find it. Inexpensive, homemade breakfast and lunch.
Sponsor the Fall 2025 Upper Limit Pompano Tournament
September 22th, 2025
The Upper Limit is more than just a fishing competition; it’s a community event that brings anglers from across the Florida Panhandle together. By sponsoring this one-of-a-kind surf fishing tournament, your business will gain exposure to a dedicated audience of local and visiting anglers while supporting the Gulf Coast fishing community. With registration already open and excitement building, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase your brand alongside a premier event.
Join Panhandle Salt in making the Upper Limit a success and let’s build lasting connections on and off the beach.
Become a Sponsor
Why Sponsor?
Supporting the Fall 2025 Upper Limit Pompano Tournament connects your business with one of the fastest-growing fishing communities on the Gulf Coast. Our audience includes both locals and traveling anglers who will see and engage with your brand across multiple platforms.
Benefits include:
*Hyper-local reach with visiting anglers and Gulf Coast locals
*Evergreen content (Reels, posts, YouTube clips) featuring your business
*Direct in-shop recommendations through the Fall season from Panhandle Salt staff
Every sponsor receives:
*Social Media Exposure
2 sponsor shout-out posts on Facebook and Instagram before the event
1 recap post tagging all sponsors after the tournament
Inclusion in Stories throughout the month-long tournament
*Video Footage of Your Business
Short B-roll clips filmed at your location
Footage included in YouTube long-form videos, Reels, and recap posts
*In-Shop Referrals
Our staff will recommend your business to customers visiting Panhandle Salt during the season
Price:
$200 per sponsor. Limited spots available to maximize visibility.
Audience
*Who: Surf anglers (beginner to advanced), vacationing families, and locals
*Where: Perdido Key, Pensacola, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach
*Channels: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube (via What’s Happening Surf Fishing Podcast)
What We Need From You
*Your logo (PNG or vector)
*Short tagline
*Website and social media handles
*Optional offer (example: “10% off with code UPPERLIMIT”)
*Best contact person for filming and coordination
Dates: October 3–31, 2025
Location: Perdido Key / Pensacola Area
Host: Panhandle Salt & Gulf Coast Land-Based Fishing Guide Association