Captain
Joe Curtis

Member since August 2020 Jacksonville, United States
Background
Captain Joe will provide you with an exciting and safe fishing experience in the waters of Jacksonville. He'll do everything in his power to put and keep you on the best bite in the area. Captain Joe considers himself a jack of all trades. Over the years, he has spent time working the deck offshore either charter or commercial fishing for local Snapper and Grouper species. He's also worked on private sport fishing boats trolling the blue water around Florida, all the while spending as much time as he could learning Florida's vast backwater fishing for Redfish, Flounder, Trout, Black Drum, and Sheepshead. His goal with fishing is to create you and your family and friends memories that will last a lifetime.
Techniques
With his background, Captain Joe feels very comfortable most places on the water. Whether that be in a couple of thousand feet bluewater trolling, anchored up Grouper and Snapper fishing, or in a couple of inches of water chasing Redfish.

Hey, I'm Captain Joe Curtis

Jacksonville, United States
Background
Captain Joe will provide you with an exciting and safe fishing experience in the waters of Jacksonville. He'll do everything in his power to put and keep you on the best bite in the area. Captain Joe considers himself a jack of all trades. Over the years, he has spent time working the deck offshore either charter or commercial fishing for local Snapper and Grouper species. He's also worked on private sport fishing boats trolling the blue water around Florida, all the while spending as much time as he could learning Florida's vast backwater fishing for Redfish, Flounder, Trout, Black Drum, and Sheepshead. His goal with fishing is to create you and your family and friends memories that will last a lifetime.
Techniques
With his background, Captain Joe feels very comfortable most places on the water. Whether that be in a couple of thousand feet bluewater trolling, anchored up Grouper and Snapper fishing, or in a couple of inches of water chasing Redfish.
Anglers Choice
115
Reviews
18
Fishing Reports
Verified
Our Team
Joe C.
Captain

My Charter Listing

Set ‘Em Up Fishing Charters

Federally permitted
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(115 reviews)
Angler's choice
Jacksonville
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $700

Fishing Reports

Get the grease hot if not plenty else to
Get the grease hot if not plenty else to
Nov 2, 2023 Jacksonville
It's finally here folks! Cool weather that is. With that comes epic numbers of sheepshead, redfish and trout! Lots of mangrove snappers around as well. Wind has kept us inshore for the last month or so but I have a handful of offshore trips scheduled for November and the forecast looks great after next weekend. For a for sure shot at some great fishing a 4-8 hour inshore charter is the trip of choice. Most of the sheepshead we are seeing are coming from the inlet rocks. While sometimes calm they can get rough. But never fear there is plenty else to do when it gets that way. As we approach middle of winter the fishing for light tackle shallow water reds heats up. I expect numbers of fish to reach a peak around November full moon at the end of the month. While windows get shorter for the bite the fish tend to go nutso when the tide does get right. Send me a message on FishingBooker to get look at prime tides and days!
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Inshore is back in action!
Inshore is back in action!
Sep 9, 2023 Jacksonville
With the first hurricane sweeping across Florida it has started the signal for some awesome Inshore action. Even with record high water temperatures we are seeing a load of sheepshead. These guys provide stellar table faire on quick inshore runs around slack tides and rocks. That's of course after you master the tricky bites! On some days we are seeing pods of mullet starting their annual winter migration. This is great news for folks looking for lots of rod bending drag screaming action over take home fish. Tarpon from size Xtra-Small like the one pictured to over a 100 Pounds have been fought this week. on top of lots of Redfish, Snook, Jacks and many more. It is key to be ready for a challenge pulling the fish away from the sharks, as the water cools I expect them to get outta town.
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Summer Outlook
Summer Outlook
Jun 22, 2023 Jacksonville
Overall this June has been a great month for fishing but has presented some serious challenges with weather. Unseasonable wind, rain and lightning have put charters into a day by day scenario. But the end Is near on our crazy low pressure system, next week presents some awesome looking winds with lower chance for storms and likely subscribing to the afternoon only. Now let's talk fishin'. Our normal summer King Mackerel fishery has been hit or miss and it seems live bait is getting tougher and tougher. I do suspect when the bait returns we will have some great days with bent rods and tight lines. But until then I have been having a blast with up to 4 people bottom fishing on 6+ hour trips. Typical species coming over the rail have been Amberjacks, Gag Grouper, Red Snapper (closed to harvest) Vermillion snappers, Triggerfish, Porgies and many more. If a longer trip isn't in the cards let's hit some rod bending action and not worry about take home. Plenty of Red snappers with a lucky shot at a grouper. Otherwise nearshore shrimp boats have been creating some awesome shark fishing opportunities if you're up for a challenge!
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Summer time and the fishin is fun!
Summer time and the fishin is fun!
May 17, 2023 Jacksonville
Fishing has been absolutely awesome the past few weeks as we get into our summertime groove, King Mackerel, Mahi, Cobia and more all on 6 hour Offshore trips. With water temps flirting with 80* our runs to find fish will shrink until the temps get to hot around end of August. While bottom fishing with dead bait can be a great way to enjoy all the fishing time. Live bait has been the key to steady to epic fishing, Pogeys, Sardines and cigar minnows. While some days are easy some aren't. The more patience we have while getting the bait the better the results while fishing. Inshore fishing has been hit or miss as the water warms. Sheepshead action has slowed down, redfish, jacks, ladyfish, mangrove snapper, snook, trout and flounder have been the go to on Early Morning Inshore trips. Even a few bonus Snook around!
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Bangin to the beat of a different Drum!
Bangin to the beat of a different Drum!
Mar 31, 2023 Jacksonville
Black Drum that is! incredible bite going on for large breeder Black Drum! Average trip boasting 2 or 3 big drum a trip. Overall these guys provide an awesome time on shorter 4 and 6 hour inshore trips or cap off your all day inshore trip experience. The largest fish during the last few weeks was caught by an awesome regular Customer Ray pushing 50+ pounds! a true giant! Book yours today!
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Cold, windy and more sheepshead.
Cold, windy and more sheepshead.
Nov 25, 2022 Jacksonville
With the wind blowing consistently every day offshore has been closed since the beginning of the month. This has forced the whole fleet to fish inshore, while far more technical and precise inshore had been absolutely pumping out some great trips. Whether focusing on trout fishing or sheepshead with a few reds mixed in lots of bent rods with plenty of patience. While not the numbers of sheepshead we were experiencing earlier this month the quality has gotten much, much better. With a handful in the 18” range about 4 pounds. The go to has been casting fiddler crabs at the inlet. But dont worry if wind and waves arent your thing there are plenty of yellow mouth and speckled trout rolling around. This allows us to fish up river out of the weather. While not a trophy fish this allows familys and young kids to enjoy action comfortably. It does look like a few offshore windows opening up next week. I expect cobia fishing, bottom fishing and tuna trolling to be as good as it gets. As always, in the winter i would reccomend a 4/6 hour inshore or the 8/10 hour offshore. The 4/6 nearshore is still a great option for bending a rod on red snappers (closed to harvest) but overall the keepers will be ringtail porgies, triggers and on the nice days vermillion snappers until that water drops into the 60s for sea bass fishing. Inquire with any questions! Otherwise book your trip and lets go!
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 115 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (259)
awesome day!
off shore fun
Knows the area very well
+256
Angler rating
115
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
99%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
98%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
97%
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5 of 115 reviews
Angela C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Experience

VERIFIED   4 Hour Half Day (AM) on November 9, 2025
If you’re looking for an unforgettable fishing trip in Jacksonville, look no further than Captain Joe. From start to finish,...
Angela C. recommends Set ‘Em Up Fishing Charters
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Kevin B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Perfect day in north florida

VERIFIED   6 Hour 3/4 Day (AM) on November 13, 2025
I did a 6 hr inshore trip with Captain Joe and it was a great experience. We targeted Red fish early and Sheepshead after....
Kevin B. recommends Set ‘Em Up Fishing Charters
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Matthew C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Off shore fun

VERIFIED   6 Hour 3/4 Day (AM) on April 23, 2026
6 hr off shore fishing. caught our limit of vermillion snapper pretty quick. went after bigger fish afterwards and had a great...
Matthew C. recommends Set ‘Em Up Fishing Charters
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Neil A.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Fishing

VERIFIED   6 Hour 3/4 Day (AM) on March 18, 2026
It was cold and windy, so we stated in shore.  Captain knew the spots, and we caught large fish as well as a great variety...
Neil A. recommends Set ‘Em Up Fishing Charters
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Scott W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Awesome day!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Half Day (AM) on May 16, 2026
Captain Joe was awesome. his boat is very nice. weather was perfect, we caught fish and had an awesome time.
Scott W. recommends Set ‘Em Up Fishing Charters
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