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We’ve pared down a few long trips and made room for two 1.5 day trips! Click here to book thru Fishermans Landing: https://fishermanslanding.fishingreservations.net/sales/?boat_id=265

Hello anglers: We had great news last weekend from the SAC spotter plane. They spotted lots of schools of bluefin tuna in U.S. waters. There are fish up to 100 pounds in some of the spots, so make sure you have a two speed reel with you. We will keep you posted on what size line to have as we get closer to departure. The spotter plane will be flying for us weekly so we can keep track of those schools.
Capt Aaron and crew did an outstanding job painting Searcher‘s cabin and bulwarks, while Celia and I took a break for a week.
The new deck will go on in the near future and it will be great! Stand by for some photos of the new paint job.
Capt Art

If you’ve called or emailed in the last 10 days, you reached Jen Kim, our new office assistant. She was busy here while we were out of town for pre-season R&R. Jen tackled some issues while we were away, including some updated enforcements on having a valid passport for MOST sportfishing trips entering Mexico. Please know that we are trying hard to stay informed and get information to you quickly.

Please make sure to have a valid passport…EXCEPT if you are booked for a 1.5-day trip with us. Since those trips typically fish offshore, the need for a visa (and thus a passport) aren’t in effect. It is possible that the longer trips will not require a passport or visa, but that depends on fishing conditions close to the day of departure. It’s imperative you are prepared so we can take you where the fish are! See Jen’s recommendations below:

PASSPORT
Make sure your passport (card or book) is valid and hasn’t expired. Good idea to check it now! if you don’t have a passport, don’t delay in applying or renewing.

Here’s a link to the Department of State website to answer questions:
• Click here for info about passports and passport cards  http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/information/card/Difference-Between-Passport-Book-and-Card.html The passport card applies to sea crossings, and thus your fishing trip.
• If you prefer, you can search your local area for a passport expediting service for a quicker turnaround time for an extra fee.

Closer to your trip, we will request information from the details page from your passport.
This passport requirement allows our captains to make the best fishing choices in Mexican waters for your trip. if the choice is made to fish within Mexican territorial waters, we’ll arrange for the necessary visa and the cost will be $25, due and payable on the day of departure. That decision is made on the day of departure, based on fishing conditions. If your trip is an offshore one, then the visa will not be required.
FISHING PERMITS (Mexican and California)
The cost of Mexican fishing permits (required despite an annual Mexican license, if you have it) is included in your trip cost.
if a California fishing license is necessary (determined by location of the fish), these can be purchased at the landing for residents and non-residents.
We don’t recommend purchasing these in advance since the fishing location won’t be decided until the day of departure. your annual license does cover these trips, so bring it along if you have one.

Click the photo for Capt Art’s video recap of the new deck going down on Searcher!

The waterfront festival, held at the landing parking area and boat docks, is this Sunday, April 19. Unfortunately, our boat will NOT be home, nor will the crew. The boat is finishing up our natural history tour season and will be back in San Diego on April 22. That is when the maintenance work begins! We’ll be ready when the fish are….

Don’t miss it! March 4-8, 2015 at the Long Beach Convention Center in downtown Long Beach. Capt Art, long-ranger Dave Bell and celia will be at the Searcher Sportfishing booth in the 600 aisle, next to Pompanette chairs and outriggers, and on the same aisle as M&M rods. You can sign up for your 2015 trip, get some tackle tips, or just talk fishing.

All the details (dates, hours, prices, discounts) here: www.fredhall.com, See you in Long Beach!

Hello anglers: We had our most successful haul out in several years. We came out of the water at Al Larson Boat Shop in San Pedro on Monday, Dec 8. We had the bottom power washed, the intake screens taken off and the propellors taken off to be checked and balanced.
On Tuesday both the US Coast Guard and the American Bureau of Shipping inspected the hull internally and externally.  We were required to extract 12 fasteners (screws) from the hull which is a process we go through every five years. The fasteners were in great condition and could have been put back in the hull but we used new fasteners. They only found two deficiencies, which were easily repaired.
On Wednesday the bottom was prepped for paint, a little caulking in the seams, and a few bare spots were sanded. The bottom was painted that afternoon. The props were installed and a coat of Prop Speed was applied to help save fuel.
On Thursday morning after the Coast Guard and ABS came to inspect the deficiencies, we got their blessing to go back in the water. The yard launched us at 11 am. Out total haul-out time was 3.5 days. Wow!

Here’s a short video of the re-launch: http://youtu.be/nsRnS2AHIIk
Capt Aaron and the crew brought the boat back to San Diego that afternoon and arrived at 9 pm. I guess we deserve a pat on the back for taking care of the Searcher really well.
On the inside of the boat we have made some improvements to four cabins in the stern by widening the bunks by six inches. You wouldn’t think that sounds like a lot but it really makes a big difference. For those of you that prefer to be in the stern you will be amazed at the difference. The sink cabinets are new in those rooms as well.
Looking forward to seeing you all in 2015. Don’t wait too long to get your reservation as some of the trips are close to full.
Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year from Team Searcher

Hello anglers,
There’s been some exciting news for the start of our 2014 fishing season with biting bluefin and yellowfin tuna! We have just scheduled two new 2.5-day trips weekends at the end of June. Check on line or call Fishermans Landing 619-221-8500 to book your spot now.
Team Searcher