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
119
Reviews
22
Fishing Reports
Verified
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Set Em Up Fishing Charters

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Jacksonville Back Country Fishing

Federally permitted
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(12 reviews)
Angler's choice
Jacksonville
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Trips from US $500

Fishing Reports

Tis the season. SKIFF SEASON!
Tis the season. SKIFF SEASON!
Nov 25, 2022 Jacksonville
Looking for a budget friendly option for 1 or 2 anglers? Well look no further. The 16โ€™ Hewes was made for winter days As soon as the temperatures drop and the holidays roll around you can expect to have a blast in shallow water for big fish. While the new Redfish limit has taken effect meaning we can only keep 1 redfish per person I am already experiencing more fish for early in the season. I think having 50% of the fish harvested is going to lead to an incredible bite getting better every year. While focusing on redfish there bave been plenty of bonuses recently including shallow water sheepshead, speckled trout and even a 19โ€ croaker! I still laugh typing that up. World class fish! The 4 hour trip is great for quick redfish missions right now. The 6 hour lets us focus on other species for a few hours before getting on the redfish bite. Check out the adventure that works for you, send any questions! Otherwise lets go fishin!
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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 18โ€ 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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Sheepshead!
Sheepshead!
Nov 3, 2022 Jacksonville
The last week had provided world class sheepshead fishing! Great weather, low winds and an impending low pressure event had fishing incredible! Catching as few or as many fish as desired within the first few hours of the trips near the tide changes was the key. With a good catch of black drum and redfish to go with them. Expect cobia fishing to fire up as the water temperature cools offshore for the 6 and 8 hour offshore trips. Try the 10 hour for epic offshore meat haul action. Otherwise the 4/6 hour inshore both on the Pair and Hewes have been action packed!
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Running of the Bulls!
Running of the Bulls!
Sep 18, 2022 Jacksonville
Although typical for the time of year it still excites me every year. Whats that you ask??? The Mullet Run! With the first few NE winds of the year and a late summer full moon flips a switch for millions of bait fish to leave the Saint Johns river. Providing epic sights on the right days with sharks, big tarpon and jacks crashing pods of bait. EPIC drag screaming action. If your goal is to spend quality time while soaking up the first hint of fall then Bull Redfish are for you. Soaking big baits in the channel has lead to some great catches with even a few sharks!!! If the goal is a fish fry this time of year can be super productive for Flounder, Mangrove snapper and redfish. Keep in mind flounder closes October 15th until November 30th. Speaking of regulations, Redfish has also dropped to 1 fish per person. While Im sure it doesn't sound right, it should lead to epic fishing in years to come and plenty more bent rods. Offshore the Kingfish action has slowed down to a halt. Bottom fishing remains good and should only get better with the water cooling. Opportunities to get out are starting to thin out with winds and storms kicking up for hurricane season. Feel free to inquire with any questions otherwise LETS GO FISHIN!
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Close and Lots of Cigars
Close and Lots of Cigars
Jun 25, 2022 Jacksonville
Cigar minnows that is! Fishing has been excellent on the 4 and 6 hour Offshore trips this past month. Providing lots of action and meat hauls either trolling or bottom fishing. The Pogies (menhaden) have all but disappeared but the sabiki bait. Sardines and Cigar minnows have made up for it. While they do take more time to gather, they troll and get the fish fired up far better than the net bait. Plus, any kids will have a great time just catching the bait! Sea conditions have been a bit on the bumpy side. So if you're prone to seasickness i recommend getting a good night sleep, not drinking the night before and keeping a full stomach is key! Choose your adventure and lets GO!
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They donโ€™t call it MAYport for no reason
They donโ€™t call it MAYport for no reason
May 25, 2022 Jacksonville
To keep it simple things are absolutely on fire offshore and nearshore!! Offshore there has been an Incredible run of dolphin in the deep water had kept the rods bent and the bellyโ€™s full. Seeing them both trolling and bottom fishing with an awesome average size! Nearshore Kingfish have fired right up. Some days can be easy throwing the net on pogies and the days when that isnโ€™t possible taking a little more time on the jumbo sardines and cigar minnows has made its breeze and the majority of the 4/6 hour offshore trips have been spent with lines in. Inshore has started to slow down as the water has heated up. Lots of small flounder, mangrove snapper, jacks, ladyfish and a couple redfish still biting. But this has required a hit and run mentality. Sometimes fishing for less than 15 min on a spot before moving. It wasnโ€™t uncommon to fish 5/8 spots on a 4 hour trip last week with finding 2/4 keepers the whole day. With the ringing in of June 1st ends our shallow water skiff trips as well. For best action choose the 4-8 hour offshore trips!
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 119 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (253)
Awesome!
Captain Joe Curtis
Fishing with Captain Joe is a must in Jacksonville
+250
Angler rating
119
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
96%
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5 of 119 reviews
Brian O.
Manassas, VA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

So much fun!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Offshore or Inshore (AM) on January 14, 2022
If youโ€™re looking for a terrific captain to fish with in Jacksonville, look no further! Iโ€™ve been on dozens of fishing...
Brian O. recommends Set Em Up Fishing Charters
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Michael S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

May fishing trip

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip Offshore or Inshore on May 10, 2024
Captain Joe caught us fresh bait and put us on the fish. Within a short time, we hooked up a 30 inch red drum and large jacks....
Michael S. recommends Set Em Up Fishing Charters
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Jeanine L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Amazing experience to remember

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip Offshore or Inshore on March 9, 2024
We did a nearshore and river fishing trip with son, father and grandpa. Joe did a great job as Captain, guide and provided...
Jeanine L. recommends Set Em Up Fishing Charters
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Wendell H.
Round Rock, TX
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Awesome trip!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Offshore or Inshore (AM) on April 14, 2023
Captain Joe was fantastic from start to finish. The day began with Captain picking me up from a closer location that saved...
Wendell H. recommends Set Em Up Fishing Charters
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Andrew D.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Best charter Iโ€™ve had in years!

VERIFIED   8 Hour Trip Offshore or Inshore on May 26, 2024
One 8 hour day with Joe (not including what we lost to sharks): 1 Black Sea Bass (17in) 1 Cobia (40 in) 2...
Andrew D. recommends Set Em Up Fishing Charters
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