DNA Sportfishing
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DNA Sportfishing

State licensed
9 reviews
In demand!
U.S. 1 5110
Key West FL, United States

Experience Key West fishing in comfort and cruise through the beautiful backcountry and flats of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. DNA Sportfishing offers some of the best inshore fishing Key West has to offer. Conveniently based out of Oceans Edge Resort & Marina, one of the new premier resorts in Key West, Captain Dave Irwin, a third-generation commercial fisherman and guide, will ensure you have an enjoyable and productive day out on the water.

Your fishing vessel for the day will be a 24’ Yellowfin bay boat. Powered by a 300 HP Mercury outboard, she has a max cruising speed of 50 knots, so you can rest assured you won’t be wasting much time getting to your fishing spot. Fully equipped with all the navigation, communication and fish-finding electronics, safety equipment, and even a JL Audio system, the boat has every feature you’d need for a fun day of fishing.

Captain Dave specializes in a variety of styles of backcountry fishing and welcomes anglers of all skill levels. From the first time fisherman to the pro angler he’s committed to adapting to every client’s needs and goals. He uses only the best tackle, gear, and equipment and is on the Van Staal Pro-Staff Program for spinning reels, Hatch Outdoors for fly reels, Biscayne Rod Company for spinning rods, and the Thomas & Thomas Pro Guide Program for fly rods.

Thanks to the world-renowned diversity of fish that the Keys offer the types of fishing grounds and species you can target is unlike anywhere else. Fish around the mangrove islands for Mangrove Snapper, Goliath Grouper, Barracuda, Tarpon, Redfish, Snook, and Shark. Or fish the channels in the backcountry for Tarpon, Permit, Cobia, Goliath Grouper, and Shark.

Apart from fishing tackle, also included in the price of all trips is your fishing license, live bait, bottled water and catch cleaning. The only things you should bring along are any food or drinks you’d like, some sunscreen and your sunglasses and you’ll be ready for your adventure!

  • Fishing License
  • Live Bait
  • You Keep Catch
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Drinks
  • Child Friendly
  • Ice Box
  • Rods, reels & tackle

Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Full Day trip – Marquesas Keys
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    $900
    If you’re feeling especially adventurous, you may want to take a cruise some 30 miles west of Key West and see what fishing is like at North America’s only atoll. This is a great sport for flats fishing and the sight of great beauty. You won’t regret taking the extra time to get to it.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    $850
    The full-day trip is great for all those anglers who just can’t get any rest until they chase down the fish they’re after. It’s a serious adventure that requires serious commitment and will test your angling skills to the max. Consult with the captain to figure out what the trip will look like in terms of targeted species and spots you visit.
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    $700
    This trip will allow you to use the extra couple of hours to get more particular about the type of fish you’d like to catch. Spend the trip chasing the catch you’ve been dreaming of, visiting multiple spots and trying out different techniques to see which one gives you the best shot at some seriously big fish.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    In demand! Last booked: 5 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    $550
    If you’re an angler wanting to get a feel for the are and get familiar with the local fishing spots this trip will allow you to do just that. Fish around the mangrove islands and target the elusive species hiding among them. Practice your casting accuracy and land yourself a nice catch!
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    $550
    Great trip for families looking to run away from the fast-paced cities and spend some quality time in nature. Capt. Dave will take you on a trip around the areas richest fishing grounds depending on the fish you’d like to target and what’s biting the day of your visit.
There are 9 people looking at this charter.

About the Captain

Capt. Dave Irwin
Key West, Florida, United States
Angler's Choice
1 Fishing Reports
ID & License verified
9 Customer Reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since July 2018
My name is Capt. Dave Irwin, I hold a USCG 100 ton Masters License. I am a fourth-generation fisherman in the Florida Keys. My family homesteaded Flamingo in the 1940s. Which is now known as "Everglades National Park." I started commercial fishing as a mate for my dad, Capt. Johnny Irwin, when I was 12 years old. That's when he taught me about the water and how to fish for a variety of species. I chose to become a professional fishing guide to be able to share some of my experiences with others that have the same passion for the outdoors and fishing as I do. I am on multiple Pro-Staff programs in the fishing industry. As the charter logo states: "It's in our blood. " Come on down to Key West, FL and let me take you on your next fishing adventure. Fishing isn't just a way to make a living for me, it's a way of life.

About this listing

Targeted Species

Barracuda (Great) Barracuda (Great)
Bonefish Bonefish
Cobia Cobia
Permit Permit

Redfish Redfish
Shark (Blacktip) Shark (Blacktip)
Shark (Bull) Shark (Bull)
Snapper (Mangrove) Snapper (Mangrove)

Snapper (Mutton) Snapper (Mutton)
Spanish Mackerel Spanish Mackerel
Tarpon Tarpon

Boat Specs

Yellowfin (Bay boat) originally built in 2009. Powered by a 300HP Mercury engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 50 knots.

Length
24 ft
Capacity
4 persons

Types of Fishing

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Fishing Techniques

Light Tackle
Spinning
Fly Fishing

Amenities

GPS
Life Jackets
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Multimedia System
Ice Box
GPS
Life Jackets
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Multimedia System
Ice Box

Trip Includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Drinks
Fishing License
Fly Fishing Equipment

Policies

FREE Cancellation
You can cancel or reschedule your booking up to 14 days before the trip. If the captain cannot run the trip due to unsafe weather conditions, your booking can be moved to another date or canceled free of charge.
Pickup agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 25% deposit
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 25% deposit to guarantee your reservation.
Pay remaining balance to captain
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
Checks

When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, there is a 4% fee.

Key West Fishing Calendar

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Customer Reviews

Rating Summary
Photos by reviewers (21)
5.00
out of 5 stars from 9 reviews
See details
Boat
Crew
Experience
Awesome
Awesome
Awesome
+18
Angler Rating
9
0
0
0
0
Anglers Claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Catch intended fish
100%
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5 of 9 reviews
Mike C.
Orlando, Florida
 5.00
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall

A great day on the water

VERIFIED   NEW  June 21, 2020
Captain Dave was a wonderful guide and worked hard to put us on fish. The weather was perfect and the beautiful boat was well...
Mike C. recommends DNA Sportfishing
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John B.
Loganville, GA
 5.00
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall

6 hour trip with Captain Dave

VERIFIED   February 29, 2020
What an awesome day of fishing considering the weather wasn’t the greatest today, very windy, but Captain Dave had us on...
John B. recommends DNA Sportfishing
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Steven L.
Belleville, New Jersey
 5.00
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall

"Bucket List" Fulfilled by Capt. Dave

August 9, 2019
Landed in Key West at 12:30 PM with my son Nick for a two day fishing weekend with DNA Sportfishing…. On Capt. Dave’s...
Steven L. recommends DNA Sportfishing
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  Capt. Dave Irwin Captain replied
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Jeffrey Z.
Plant City, FL
 5.00
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall

Awesome

VERIFIED   NEW  July 10, 2020
Captain Dave got us on some snook and tarpon and grouper real quick. Highly recommend.
Jeffrey Z. recommends DNA Sportfishing
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David L.
San Juan
 5.00
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall

Half Day with Captain Dave

VERIFIED   January 20, 2020
We had a amazing trip.  The weather was not the best to catch fish but Captain Dave did a great job putting us on fish. ...
David L. recommends DNA Sportfishing
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