Key West, FL is home to some of the world’s most famous fishing grounds – what better way to discover them than alongside a captain who grew up exploring these waters? Captain Joe Mercurio comes from a long line of Floridian fishermen, and can’t wait to pass on the knowledge he’s inherited. Come aboard Jolly Roger II and get ready to discover plenty of local tips and tricks – you’ll be fishing like a native Floridian in no time!

Capt. Joe has been fishing these waters for over 37 years. He bought the “Jolly Roger II” boat from his father, and his grandfather owned one of the first charters boats in Key West in the 40s – it’s safe to say that a passion for angling is a true family tradition for him! He uses his wealth of knowledge to provide a variety of angling adventures that are suitable for guests of all ages and skill levels, all on board a luxurious fishing machine.

The vessel in question is an impressive 39’ Chu Chu sportfishing vessel, able to accommodate up to 6 anglers. She’s the perfect choice if you’re looking for a fun family getaway, or want to tangle lines with some of your best angling buddies. On board, you’ll find top-of-the-line navigational and safety gear, as well as a full toilet. There are 5 fishing chairs on the back deck, a fighting chair for battling big game, and outriggers to cover plenty of ground when trolling.

Speaking of trolling, your captain specializes in putting guests on fish by using his “reef to bluewater” trolling method. This means that you’ll be exploring fishing grounds around the local reefs, as well as up to 25 miles offshore. You’ll have the chance to hook Mahi Mahi, a variety of Marlin, Barracuda, Wahoo, Tuna, and more. Don’t worry if you’ve never fished before – your captain and first mate will be on hand to show you the ropes.

Your trip includes rods, reels, bait, tackle, and a fishing license. Your captain will fillet your catch, too. Come aboard Jolly Roger II and learn how to fish like a true Floridian!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    In demand! Last booked: 19 hours ago
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
    US $950
    This 4-hour morning trip is the perfect option for anglers looking for an introduction to Key West's stunning fishing grounds! You'll mostly be trolling from 5–25 miles offshore for the chance to hook Barracuda, King Mackerel, Wahoo, and plenty of other saltwater favorites. You'll be joined by your captain and a friendly first mate, who'll show you the ropes. Your captain is very adaptable, so just let him know what you want to reel in. Your trip includes rods, reels, bait, and a fishing license.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 12:30 PM
    US $950
    Spend your morning exploring Key West by land, and then join your captain for a 4-hour trip out to the hottest fishing grounds! Your captain mostly takes guests trolling – he calls it "reef to bluewater trolling," as these are the areas you'll be targeting. You'll have the opportunity to hook anything from King Mackerel, Wahoo, Barracuda, and maybe even a Mahi Mahi or two. Your captain loves tailoring trips to suit your needs, so let him know what you want to catch. Rods, reels, bait, and tackle included.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip PM – Later Departure
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:30 PM
    US $950
    Spend your morning exploring Key West by land, and then join your captain for a 4-hour trip out to the hottest fishing grounds! Your captain mostly takes guests trolling – he calls it "reef to bluewater trolling," as these are the areas you'll be targeting. You'll have the opportunity to hook anything from King Mackerel, Wahoo, Barracuda, and maybe even a Mahi Mahi or two. Your captain loves tailoring trips to suit your needs, so let him know what you want to catch. Rods, reels, bait, and tackle included.
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip (AM)
    In demand! Last booked: 6 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
    US $1,200
    This 6-hour trip will give you more time out on the water, which means you'll have plenty of time to hook your dream catch! You'll mainly be "reef to bluewater" trolling with your captain, which means you'll be targeting the local reefs and waters 5 to 25 miles offshore to hook anything from Mahi Mahi, a variety of Tuna, King Mackerel, and plenty more. Your captain loves customizing trips, so let him know if there's a species you'd like to catch. Rods, reels, bait, tackle, and your license are included.
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip (PM)
    In demand! Last booked: 6 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 12:30 PM
    US $1,200
    This 6-hour trip will give you more time out on the water, which means you'll have plenty of time to hook your dream catch! You'll mainly be "reef to bluewater" trolling with your captain, which means you'll be targeting the local reefs and waters 5 to 25 miles offshore to hook anything from Mahi Mahi, a variety of Tuna, King Mackerel, and plenty more. Your captain loves customizing trips, so let him know if there's a species you'd like to catch. Rods, reels, bait, tackle, and your license are included.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    In demand! Last booked: 2 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
    US $1,500
    This full day trip is a great option for anglers looking to explore the best fishing opportunities that Key West has to offer! You'll have the chance to head up to 25 miles offshore, as well as exploring the local reefs, using a method that your captain calls "reef to bluewater trolling." You'll be targeting anything from Mahi Mahi, to King Mackerel, to Skipjack and Albacore Tuna, as well as Sailfish and White/Blue Marlin. Your captain will provide top-notch rods and reels, bait, tackle, and your license.
There are 34 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Jolly Roger II

Jolly Roger II offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $950 per group - Half Day Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $950 per group - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $950 per group - Half Day Trip PM – Later Departure (4 hours)
  • US $1,200 per group - 3/4 Day Trip (AM) (6 hours)
  • US $1,200 per group - 3/4 Day Trip (PM) (6 hours)
  • US $1,500 per group - Full Day Trip (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Jolly Roger II, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet Full, enclosed
  • Fighting Chair
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Flybridge
  • Live Bait Well
  • Outriggers
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Jolly Roger II include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Shimano, Penn, Key Largo)
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (After the trip)
  • First Mate
  • Fishing License

Jolly Roger II offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing

Jolly Roger II offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Trolling

Top targeted fish species with Jolly Roger II include:
  • Amberjack
  • Barracuda (Great)
  • Cobia
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • Grouper (Goliath)
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Marlin (Blue)
  • Marlin (White)
  • Sailfish
  • Tuna (Albacore)
  • Tuna (Skipjack)
  • Wahoo

Meet the Captain

Joe Mercurio III
Key West, Florida, United States
ID & license verified
515 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since January 2019
Angler's Choice
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
Capt. Joe has been fishing for the past 37 years, and has been a licensed captain for 27 of then. He was born and raised in Key West, so it's safe to say he knows these waters like the back of his hand. When it comes to the boat you'll be fishing from, it's pretty much a piece of Key West history – Capt. Joe's father owned the boat before him. This family's tradition of fishing doesn't stop there, though. Capt. Joe's grandfather had one of the first charterboats in Key West in the late 40's. Come aboard and make yourself a part of Floridian fishing history!

About this listing

Targeted species

Amberjack Amberjack
Barracuda (Great) Great Barracuda
Cobia Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)

Boat specs

Chu Chu (Sportfishing) originally built in 1979, and restored in 2019. Powered by 2 350HP 3126 Cats engines, with a maximum cruising speed of 17 knots.

Length
39 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Trolling

Amenities

Toilet
Full, enclosed
Fighting Chair
GPS
Fishfinder
Flybridge
Live Bait Well

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Shimano, Penn, Key Largo
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
After the trip
First Mate
Fishing License

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 14 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
No minimum age
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3% charge will apply.

Key West Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 515 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (892)
Great Father and Son Trip!
Best Captain & Mate in Key West!
Best Captain & Mate in Key West!
+889
Angler rating
489
20
3
2
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
98%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
99%
Appropriate for children
95%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
92%
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Showing:
5 of 515 reviews
Jon B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Best Captain & Mate in Key West!

VERIFIED   NEW  3/4 Day Trip (AM) on March 25, 2024
Capt. Joe and Mate Kyle are first class fishermen. In less than ideal conditions, they took us out and though it was the only...
Jon B. recommends Jolly Roger II
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  Joe Mercurio III Captain replied

Ed W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Tight Lines & Great Times

VERIFIED   NEW  Full Day Trip on March 15, 2024
A knowledgeable captain, hard-working first mate, and a gorgeous boat - what more could you want from a charter? Captain Joe...
Ed W. recommends Jolly Roger II
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  Joe Mercurio III Captain replied

Matthew B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Day on the Water

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip (AM) on January 19, 2024
My wife and I booked the 3/4 day tour, and had a phenomenal time. Captain Joe and his first mate were exceptional at making...
Matthew B. recommends Jolly Roger II
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  Joe Mercurio III Captain replied

David F.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

WHAT A STORY TO TELL!!

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on December 29, 2023
We had an AMAZING day with AJ & Phil! FYI a full day is the way to go. These guys were fun to hang out with & boy did they...
David F. recommends Jolly Roger II
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  Joe Mercurio III Captain replied

Joe B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Amazing experience. Can't wait to come back!

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on November 7, 2023
My fiance and I did a full day of trolling with Captain Joe and First Mate AJ and had an amazing time. We caught two sailfish,...
Joe B. recommends Jolly Roger II
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful
  Joe Mercurio III Captain replied