Searcher Sportfishing | San Diego, CA | Saltwater Fishing
Searcher’s 2025 Schedule – Click here to view!
Dreaming of catching bluefin, yellowfin tuna, yellowtail, dorado, wahoo, and other saltwater fish? Head to San Diego, the gateway to some of the best deep-sea fishing in Baja California, Mexico. Join Captain Mike and The Boys on our 95-foot boat for 1.5-day to 8-day long-range sportfishing excursions to the prime fishing destinations of Baja California.
Book your 2025 Searcher Sportfishing trip and gain access to prime offshore fishing areas for fishing for bluefin, yellowfin, dorado, yellowtail and more!
View our schedule and book online or call the office at 619-226-2403.
Latest from Captain’s Blog
Trip 53 – Denio’s 40th B-Day Bash – Day 6 Update
Good afternoon,
We spent the day in the same zone as we arrived in late yesterday but today brought much different results. We had a steady pick all morning on beautiful 18–30 pound yellowtail. Everyone was able to catch and tag a handful and get in on the action. As it seems to be shutting down this afternoon we will be traveling up and taking a look at the big tuna zone for hopefully a couple more trophy bluefin before we call it a trip and point the boat back towards the dock.
We will be arriving back at Fisherman’s Landing early Wednesday morning. We’re all looking forward to finding out the weight of the yellowtail. If you’re area the area, stop by.
If you haven’t already, make sure to check out our 2025 schedule and come fish with us next year.
Captain Mike, Captain Shane and The Boys
Trip 53 – Denio’s 40th B-Day Bash Update
Good evening,
Epic day out here at Alijos! Hammering 70-90lb yellowfin tuna all day long, with some beastly yellowtail and a token wahoo. We’re going to camp out for the night and see what the dark hours have in store. Weather has been beautiful all week long.
If you haven’t already, make sure to check out our 2025 schedule and come fish with us next year.
Captain Mike and The Boys
Did you know?
Searcher Offers Whale Watching Tours!
As you’ve experienced and enjoyed being aboard the Searcher, fishing and spending time with our crew, we’d like to introduce you to another type of trip we offer, Whale Watching through Baja.
We have a 12-day trip from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico, scheduled for March 25 to April 5, 2025. We would be thrilled to share one of the most exciting wildlife destinations with you, guided by our expert leadership team.
On this journey, we’ll stop at San Benito Islands to disembark and hopefully see the Guadalupe fur seal aggregation, along with many Northern Elephant seals! We’ll then spend two days in Laguna San Ignacio, where we can hang out with gray whales and their calves. As we travel south, we may encounter various whale and dolphin species—rest assured, our team works tirelessly to find them!
Around the point of the Baja Peninsula, we may witness humpback whales in groups, either mating or mothers with their calves. For the final four days, we’ll explore the magic of the Gulf of California, including an optional snorkeling session with whale sharks in La Paz, along with other snorkeling and hiking opportunities in the southern Gulf, all while continuing our search for whales and dolphins!
This is the perfect opportunity to not only spot gray, blue, fin, humpback, sperm, Bryde’s, and pilot whales but also sharpen your photography skills!
Review the detailed itinerary and additional trip information. 2025 Baja Whale Tour Itinerary
If you have any questions, please feel free to email searcher.tours@bajawhale.com or call 619-226-2403.
We look forward to hosting you aboard Searcher again!
Searcher Crew Profile
Kenny Merrell, Captain
more profiles
Trip Report
Trip 53 – Denio’s 40th B-Day Bash – Day 6 Update
Good afternoon,
We spent the day in the same zone as we arrived in late yesterday but today brought much different results. We had a steady pick all morning on beautiful 18–30 pound yellowtail. Everyone was able to catch and tag a handful and get in on the action. As it seems to be shutting down this afternoon we will be traveling up and taking a look at the big tuna zone for hopefully a couple more trophy bluefin before we call it a trip and point the boat back towards the dock.
We will be arriving back at Fisherman’s Landing early Wednesday morning. We’re all looking forward to finding out the weight of the yellowtail. If you’re area the area, stop by.
If you haven’t already, make sure to check out our 2025 schedule and come fish with us next year.
Captain Mike, Captain Shane and The Boys
Captain Art at SD Rod and Reel Club May 2
Captain Art and Team Searcher will be at the May 2 club meeting of the San Diego Rod and Reel Club. Join us for fishing updates, tackle talk and Searcher news! San Diego Rod and Reel Club Meeting Info Location: VFW Post 5985 853 Turquoise St, San Diego, CA 92109. First [...]
Tackle Tip Thursday
Tackle Tip Thursday Vol. 234 (How to Use Dart Lures)
Happy Tackle Tip Thursday! Steve Carson, pro-staffer with Penn Fishing, demonstrates a very popular technique used when fishing bluefin tuna during the day. Using the dart lures and the casting methods Steve shares here, an angler can target bluefin that are feeding on smaller bait fish. Dart-type lures come in many [...]
What our anglers say…
It’s a welcoming atmosphere, professional attention to detail in all aspects, commitment/drive to put anglers on fish, expert help in helping everyone maximize biting fish opportunities.
Captains Mike and Ryan work hard to get us on fish, plus jump on deck when needed. Deck crew are not only highly competent technicians but display a positive and extremely customer-first attitude. Booking, payment and checkin are seamless! Chef Dan and Josh’s meals and snacks were perfect, enjoyable meals with great variety. I really enjoy your limited load trips!
Captain, crew and cooks were absolute professionals. Boat is extremely clean and comfortable. Everyone worked **very hard**.
The crew directing traffic while you have a fish on was done to perfection. Very happy with the positive energy from the whole boat.
The crew’s attitude was over-the-top great. Everyone was very positive, helpful and patient. I know this reflects Art, Celia and our captain. I just can’t say enough good things about the positive attitude of this crew. It made a huge impression on me. Thank you!
The crew was awesome, great food and immediate attention to the deck, gaffing, and help with tangles.
Another great trip on the Searcher. Captain Mike did a nice job of putting us on the fish. Crew did an amazing job from there. Any other boat would have been heading back to shore. This guy doesn’t give up. He made a lot of happy customers! Well done, Team Searcher!
The crew makes everyone feel so welcome. They go up and beyond making sure everyone is having a good time, helping with tackle setup and overall making sure everyone one is having fun.
Cooking was on point every meal! Deckhands are always there to help you out with your setups. They take the time to answer everyone’s questions while staying on top of their game. Just overall make it feel like an amazing experience, as well as a family.
Every crew member, including Mike and Josh, was very willing to teach us new techniques and how best to fish the targeted species. The working relationship among the crew was outstanding. It is a pleasure to see men enjoy their job and work so well together. Keep up the great attitude and spirit.
Your operation hires solid crew members that make the trip fun. Catching yellowtail on the iron while listening to music in the sun was the highlight of my trip.
When you have a great crew and good fishing you remember the good times!
Best run operation I’ve ever been on as far as desire of captain and attitude/ teamwork of the crew.
The crew is top notch. Mike knows how to fish hard and find the fish. Josh puts out 5 star meals every meal. The deck crew is always attentive to what’s happening on deck. They want to help with a great attitude and they all work together and get along great. The whole operation is smooooth.
They did everything possible to make it a successful adventure for everyone willing/able to participate.
Absolute top notch operation. I always enjoy fishing with Team Searcher.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time fishing with the Searcher crew. You guys are the best and most professional operation I’ve fished with in San Diego.
Customer service and great attitude is always abundant on Searcher!
Deckhands exceptional, food was excellent, accommodations were great.
Searcher attracts a nice group of anglers. Experienced fisher persons, work well together.
Great vibe; welcoming/professional/skilled/hospitable. The Searcher Team rocks!
There’s a reason why I come back each year…I’m hooked with the Searcher.