Fishing glossary
Your Reference Guide
Everything you need to know before stepping on the boat — species, techniques, gear, and local water terms explained by our captains.
Fish Species
INSHORE
SHALLOW FLATS
YEAR-ROUND
Redfish
Sciaenops ocellatus
Best Season
Year-round
Difficulty
Moderate
The crown jewel of inshore fishing. Redfish (Red Drum) are powerful fighters found in the shallow grass flats and marshes of Choctawhatchee Bay. Known for their signature copper-bronze color and the distinctive black spot near their tail.
SEAGRASS BEDS
GREAT TABLE FARE
ALL SKILL LEVELS
Speckled Trout
Cynoscion nebulosus
Best Season
Spring & Fall
Difficulty
Beginner Friendly
Speckled Trout (Spotted Sea Trout) are one of the most sought-after inshore species along the Gulf Coast. They inhabit seagrass beds and are prized for both their fight and their table fare. Prime targets in Choctawhatchee Bay.
SANDY BOTTOMS
EXCELLENT TABLE FARE
FALL SEASON
FLOUNDER
Paralichthys albigutta
Best Season
Fall Peak
Difficulty
Challenging
Gulf Flounder are masters of camouflage that lurk on sandy bottoms near structure. They’re a prized catch for their delicious white meat. Our captains know exactly where to find these elusive flatfish in the local waters.
JETTIES
DOCK STRUCTURES
SPRING
SheepsheaD
Archosargus probatocephalus
Best Season
Spring
Difficulty
Advanced
A black-and-white striped fish with strong, human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and crustaceans. Sheepshead congregate around bridge pilings, docks, and structure. They are notoriously difficult to hook — hence the saying ‘set the hook before they bite.’ Fiddler crabs are the top bait. A great winter species in the Bay.
INSHORE
EXCELLENT TABLE FARE
FALL SEASON
Spanish Mackerel
Scomberomorus maculatus
Best Season
Spring & Fall
Difficulty
Beginner
Spanish Mackerel are the speedsters of Choctawhatchee Bay — sleek, iridescent, and blazing fast. Their silver bodies with blue-green backs and distinctive yellow-gold spots make them one of the most beautiful fish in the bay.
SANDY BOTTOMS
BAY PASSES
SPRING
Florida Pompano
Trachinotus carolinus
Best Season
Spring
Difficulty
Moderate
One of the most highly prized table fish in Florida. Pompano are found over sandy bottoms in the Gulf and bay passes, especially in spring and fall. They are fast, strong fighters and command top dollar at restaurants. Catching a pompano is always a treat.
INSHORE
HARD BOTTOMS
SUMMER
Mangrove Snapper
Lutjanus griseus
Best Season
Summer
Difficulty
Moderate
The Mangrove Snapper — also called Gray Snapper — is the summer specialist of Choctawhatchee Bay. Reddish-brown to gray with a distinctive dark stripe running from the snout through the eye, are cunning, leader-shy fish that require a finesse approach.
DEEP BAYOU BOTTOMS
EXCELLENT TABLE FARE
FALL & WINTER
Black Drum
Sciaenops ocellatus
Best Season
Fall & Winter
Difficulty
Moderate
The Black Drum is the gentle giant of Choctawhatchee Bay. Deep-bodied, dark grey to black, with distinctive chin barbels used to feel for food along the bottom, Black Drum are powerful, methodical fighters that can reach impressive sizes — 30+ lbs in the bay is not uncommon.
Fishing Type & Techniques
Inshore Fishing
Fishing inside bays, estuaries, tidal creeks, and shallow coastal waters — generally under 30 feet deep. Inshore fishing targets species like redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and sheepshead. This is exactly what Rising Son Expeditions specializes in on Choctawhatchee Bay.
Offshore / Deep Sea Fishing
Fishing in the open Gulf of Mexico, typically 30+ miles from shore, targeting species like grouper, snapper, mahi-mahi, and tuna. This is not what Rising Son does — we are an inshore specialist. We define it here so visitors understand the difference when comparing charter options.
Light Tackle Fishing
Using lighter rods, reels, and line (typically 10–20 lb test) for a more sporting, hands-on experience. Light tackle makes even smaller fish feel like a real fight and is the preferred approach for inshore species.
Fly Fishing
A specialized technique using a weighted fly line to cast an artificial fly lure. Fly fishing for redfish and speckled trout is a growing pursuit along 30A and Choctawhatchee Bay. The clear, shallow flats make for ideal sight-casting conditions.
Sight Fishing
Visually spotting fish in clear, shallow water and making a precise cast to them. This is one of the most exciting forms of inshore fishing and a specialty of Choctawhatchee Bay on calm, sunny days. Polarized sunglasses are essential.
Bottom Fishing
Presenting bait near or on the bottom to target species that feed there. Bottom fishing is the primary technique for sheepshead, flounder, and black drum — all of which hug structure and the bay floor.
Topwater Fishing
Using surface lures that splash, pop, or walk across the water to trigger explosive strikes from fish below. Topwater bites are some of the most visually exciting moments in fishing — and they make incredible video content. Redfish and speckled trout are the primary topwater targets in the Bay.
Live Bait Fishing
Using live shrimp, mullet, pinfish, or other baitfish to attract and hook target species. Live bait is highly effective in Choctawhatchee Bay and is a go-to technique for clients of all skill levels. Rising Son captains know exactly where and how to fish live bait for maximum results.
Gear & Equipment
Spinning Rod & Reel
The most common and beginner-friendly fishing setup. A spinning reel hangs below the rod and uses a fixed spool, making it easy to cast and manage line. Most inshore fishing — including all Rising Son charters — uses spinning tackle.
Popping Cork
A float with a concave top that makes a loud ‘pop’ sound when the rod is jerked. The noise mimics feeding fish and attracts redfish and speckled trout from a distance. A shrimp or jig is suspended below the cork at a set depth. One of the most productive inshore rigs.
Jig
A weighted hook paired with a soft plastic body, bucktail, or other material. Jigs are one of the most versatile inshore lures — they can be bounced along the bottom for flounder, hopped through grass for redfish, or swum through the water column for trout.
Drag
The adjustable resistance system on a fishing reel. When a fish pulls hard enough, the drag allows line to slip out rather than breaking. Proper drag setting is critical — too tight and the line snaps; too loose and you can’t control the fish.
Hook Set
In recreational fishing terminology, the hookset or setting the hook is when an angler makes a sudden lifting motion to a fishing rod in order to pull the line and anchor the fish hook firmly into the mouth of a fish once it has gulped in the hook along with the bait/lure.
Location & Water Terms
Choctawhatchee Bay
A large estuarine bay that forms the back side of the 30A and Destin barrier island system in the Florida Panhandle. Spanning roughly 30 miles, it is fed by the Choctawhatchee River and drains into the Gulf through Destin Pass. It is Rising Son Expeditions’ home water and one of the most productive inshore fisheries in Florida.
30A
The scenic two-lane highway corridor along South Walton County, Florida, connecting communities like Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Grayton Beach, and Santa Rosa Beach. It is a major vacation destination known for its sugar-white beaches, clear water, and world-class inshore fishing access.
Backwater / Back Bay
Shallow tidal creeks, coves, and marsh areas inside the main bay system. Backwaters are prime redfish habitat — fish move in with the tide to feed on crabs and shrimp in the shallows, then retreat as the tide falls.
Flats
Expansive, shallow sandy or grassy areas in the bay, typically 1–4 feet deep. Flats are ideal for sight fishing — on calm, sunny days you can spot redfish tailing (feeding with their tails out of the water) or cruising in the shallows.
Estuary
A semi-enclosed coastal body of water where freshwater rivers and saltwater bays meet and mix. Estuaries are among the most biologically productive ecosystems on Earth — the nutrient-rich mix of fresh and salt water creates ideal conditions for baitfish, crustaceans, and the gamefish that feed on them.
Tide
The cyclical rise and fall of water levels driven by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun. Tides dictate where fish are feeding and how they move. Understanding the tide is one of the most important skills in inshore fishing — rising tides push fish onto the flats; falling tides concentrate them in channels and holes.
Slot Limit
A regulation that defines the legal size range within which a fish may be kept. Fish below the minimum or above the maximum must be released. For redfish in Florida, the slot is 18–27 inches total length. Slot limits protect both juvenile fish and large spawning-age fish.
Charter & Booking Terms
Charter vs. Guide Service
A fishing charter provides everything: the boat, captain, tackle, bait, and licenses. You just show up. A guide service may use your boat, or involve wade fishing or kayak fishing. Rising Son Expeditions is a full-service charter — we handle everything so you can focus on fishing.
Half-Day Charter
Typically a 4-hour fishing trip. This is Rising Son’s primary offering and is the perfect length for families, vacation groups, and first-time anglers. You’ll have plenty of time to target multiple species and locations without the fatigue of a full-day trip.
USCG License
The U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s License — specifically the OUPV (6-Pack) or Master credential — is required by federal law to take paying passengers on a vessel. All Rising Son Expeditions captains hold current USCG licenses. It’s your assurance of professional, safety-conscious service.
Catch and Release
The practice of releasing fish alive after catching them. All undersized fish, fish over the slot limit, and protected species are released carefully and unharmed on Rising Son charters. Proper catch-and-release technique — wet hands, quick photos, gentle release — ensures the fish survives.
Keeper
A fish that falls within the legal size and bag limits and may be legally harvested. On a Rising Son charter, your captain will measure every fish and let you know whether it’s a keeper. We follow all Florida Fish & Wildlife regulations.
Bag Limit
The maximum number of a given species that one person may legally harvest per day. Bag limits vary by species and are set by Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. Your captain knows current regulations for every species we target.
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