Captain Mike’s Blog

NEW! Parking Update

May 22nd, 2024|Captain Mike's Blog|

Note from Team Searcher:

There are two different owners of the lots surrounding our landing which can lead to confusion. We suggest you park in an ACE parking lot and pre-pay for your parking at an ACE parking lot pay station (or use app). The ACE fee is $14/day.  Most of their spots are numbered. Then look for the ACE parking logo on the pay station nearest your spot.

if you park in the non-ACE lot, make sure to pay at their pay station (no ACE logo on them). They have different pricing, and their spots are labelled “Paid Parking.” Those lots do not have a business name OR phone number to contact them if you have a dispute.

Examples of ACE parking spots, pay stations, and signs:

Ace Parking Sign

Ace Parking Payment Kiosk

Ace New Prepaid Parking Program

Sportfishing Parking Press Release (Received via Fisherman’s Landing)

The Port of San Diego has been working with San Diego Sportfishing and other neighboring businesses to address parking policy, add more parking spaces, and streamline the time it takes to exit the parking lot.

SPORTFISHING PARKING RATES WILL REMAIN THE SAME!  ONLY THE PROCESS HAS CHANGED.

This pay process will reduce the number of vehicles that are left for long periods or abandoned in our lots.  This alone will create more opportunities for sportfishing customers.

ANGLERS MAY DOWNLOAD THE ACE PARKING APP BEFORE ARRIVAL.

Payment may now be made via pay machines or the online app, using credit card or cash.  Pay stations are in use everywhere now and offer a variety of ways to pay.  In the past, credit cards were not accepted in the sportfishing lot.  Now they will be, creating a benefit to the fishermen.  Pay stations will be conveniently located in all parking areas and the app will provide a fast and simple way to pay.  One difference is that payment will be made in advance instead of paying when you leave.  Also, there will no longer be a need for a pay booth in the lot, allowing for a much quicker way to exit the lot.

The Ace parking app. can be downloaded from the app store at any time and works like any other app where you simply follow the prompts.  If an angler is not comfortable using apps, the machines may be used to make payment.

The San Diego Sportfishing Landings are confident that this new process will result in more available parking spaces, more payment options, and more streamlined egress from the lot.

For more information, please contact any of the three San Diego Sportfishing Landing.

Tackle Tip Thursday Vol. 233 (Drop-shot Rig)

May 16th, 2024|Captain Mike's Blog, Tackle Tip Thursday|

Happy Tackle Tip Thursday!

Steve Carson, pro-staffer with Penn Fishing, showcases a good outfit to have and a technique to become familiar with before targeting bigger-size bluefin tuna. 

This requires an angler to select and use an outfit with heavy line, and a circle hook and sinker to reach fish when at depth and when live bait is working best.

Thank you to Steve for his time and experience in all things having to do with saltwater angling and Penn Fishing Tackle!

Check our variety of trip lengths and angler loads here: www.SearcherSportfishing.com. Or call the office 619-226-2403.

To review our tackle suggestions for your upcoming trip, click here:SEARCHER TACKLE SUGGESTIONS

Reel in more Tackle Tips here! Subscribers get hooked up to new videos first!

 

Tackle Tip Thursday Vol. 232 (Surgeon’s Loop)

May 11th, 2024|Captain Mike's Blog, Tackle Tip Thursday|

Happy Tackle Tip Thursday!

Steve Carson, pro-staffer with Penn Fishing, illustrates the important Surgeon’s Loop. It’s a heavy-line loop that can connect to the appropriate knot or hook, depending on the fishing conditions. This set-up is used when targeting the larger size yellowtail on 7-8 day trips such as those offered in the fall months aboard Searcher. Book your spot and get in some practice time with the Surgeon’s Loop! Thank you to Steve for providing another helpful video in this yellowtail series.

Check our variety of trip lengths and angler loads here: www.SearcherSportfishing.com. Or call the office 619-226-2403.

To review our tackle suggestions for your upcoming trip, click here:SEARCHER TACKLE SUGGESTIONS

Reel in more Tackle Tips here! Subscribers get hooked up to new videos first!

 

Tackle Tip Thursday Vol. 231 (Sliding Sinker for Yellowtail)

April 25th, 2024|Captain Mike's Blog, Tackle Tip Thursday|

Happy Tackle Tip Thursday!

Steve Carson, pro-staffer with Penn Fishing, describes the perfect outfit when the 12-25# yellowtail are biting. It’s a 30# live-bait rig using the sliding sinker set-up, like on this Penn Fathom 15, 2-speed on a 8-foot rod. Yellowtail are the perfect target fish on a short or long trip out of San Diego! Make sure you are prepared on any trip you take when live bait are available.

Thank you to Steve for providing another helpful video in this yellowtail series.

Check our variety of trip lengths and angler loads here: www.SearcherSportfishing.com. Or call the office 619-226-2403.

To review our tackle suggestions for your upcoming trip, click here:SEARCHER TACKLE SUGGESTIONS

🎣Reel in more Tackle Tips here! Subscribers get hooked up to new videos first!

 

Three-Day Lady Angler Trip with Tonie Bangos from the CCA!

April 17th, 2024|Captain Mike's Blog|

You know her from BD Outdoors and the CCA, Tonie Bangos will join Searcher on our Three-Day Lady Angler Trip, 8/19/2024 – 8/22/2024. Sponsored by Turner’s Outdoorsman, Izorline, and Seeker Rods!

Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a newbie to the sport, this trip promises endless excitement and camaraderie! From the thrill of the catch to the breathtaking views of the open sea, each moment will be one for the books.
We have a few spots open!

For inquiries and bookings, please contact us at 619-226-2403 or visit Searcher Sportfishing.

Make sure to check out BD Outdoors and CCA for the up-to-date fishing reports, videos, and upcoming events!

Need fishing gear? Check out Turner’s Outdoorsman, Izorline, and Seeker Rods websites.

Tackle Tip Thursday Vol. 230 (Dropper Loop for Yellowtail)

April 11th, 2024|Captain Mike's Blog, Tackle Tip Thursday|

Happy Tackle Tip Thursday!

It’s a tackle tip you’ve been waiting for! Are you targeting yellowtail, and not just any yellowtail, but the big ones? This demonstration by Penn Fishing Tackle’s pro-staffer, Steve Carson, is the perfect way to get prepared. 

The Penn Fathom 2-speed, model 80 reel and the heavy dropper loop rigging will make it possible to catch that yellowtail of a lifetime on a longer trip aboard Searcher. Book one of our 7- or 8-day trips in the fall are a perfect opportunity to try this technique. 

Check our variety of trip lengths and angler loads here: www.SearcherSportfishing.com. Or call the office 619-226-2403.

To review our tackle suggestions for your upcoming trip, click here:SEARCHER TACKLE SUGGESTIONS

🎣Reel in more Tackle Tips here! Subscribers get hooked up to new videos first!

 

Day at the Docks is Coming

April 4th, 2024|Captain Mike's Blog|

Come on down to “Day at the Docks” on San Diego Bay, at the sportfishing landings. It’s a waterfront festival with fun for the whole family. Team Searcher will be there to talk to anglers and get you booked on a fishing trip.

There’ll be tackle pros to talk with, music, cooking demos, contests, raffles, boat rides, and fun at the waterfront!

Sunday, April 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bluefin Are Biting!

March 25th, 2024|Captain Mike's Blog|

Bluefin Fever Hits San Diego Waters!

Boats from the San Diego fleet have set their sights on bluefin tuna, with impressive catches weighing in between 90 to 130 pounds. These fish are making waves in the northern Baja fishing zones, signaling it’s time to gear up for some serious angling!

Thanks to the Sportfishing Association of California (SAC), their spotter plane has been scouting the northern Baja areas, spotting multiple schools of bluefin. Stay tuned for more detailed reports from these aerial surveys following the next weather window.

With most action happening at night, it’s essential to prep your terminal tackle accordingly. Check out our videos showcasing the necessary gear and tackle to optimize your nighttime fishing experience.

A few daytime bluefin were caught on the kite and the boat you are on will inform you of those options.

Trips to target bluefin have been in 1.5 day and 3-day trips out of Fisherman’s Landing and other San Diego landings. Our tackle experts tell us to have 400–500-gram lures and The Midnight Rider lures on hand as the recent bluefin catches have had success with those.

Nighttime Bluefin Terminal Tackle Ideas

Choosing Rods & Reels for Targeting Big Bluefin

Glow in the dark tackle

The Midnight Rider lures are sold exclusively at Fishermans Landing Tackle Shop including the glow-in-the-dark models shown here! Be sure to pick one up before your next bluefin trip.

Fish with us in 2024!

March 18th, 2024|Captain Mike's Blog|

Go to Top