Searcher Sportfishing | San Diego, CA | Saltwater Fishing
View our 2026 schedule
Interested in chartering a trip in 2026 or 2027. Send us an email at office@searchersportfishing.com or call the office, 619-226-2403.
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Want an opportunity to catch bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, yellowtail, dorado, wahoo, and other saltwater fish? Head to San Diego and join Captain Mike, Chef Josh, and the Searcher Crew on our 95-foot double-planked mahogany wood sportfishing boat for 2-day to 8-day long-range trip to prime fishing locations in Southern California and Baja California, Mexico.
Searcher is docked at Fisherman’s Landing, 2838 Garrison Street San Diego, CA 92106.
Check out Fisherman’s Landing fish reports on YouTube for the latest updates. https://www.youtube.com/@fishermanslanding.
If you have tackle questions, give Fisherman’s Landing Tackle Shop a call, 619-221-8500.
Trip Report
Nov 16 (Nov 14-22) 8-day Limited Load
Check out some tackle tip videos before your trip here: Searcher Sportfishing YouTube channel
Captain’s Blog
Aug 19 (Aug 18-20) Lady Angler Searcher Special #1
Due to the weather coming our way, this trip was shortened from a 3-day to a 2-day and the team is focusing on bluefin fishing.
Weather from the bluefin ground at 3:15 p.m. Saturday!
Searcher Crew
Searcher Crew Profile
Kenny Merrell, Captain
more profiles
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 February 4 – 15, 2026. We would be thrilled to share one of the most exciting wildlife destinations with you, guided by our expert leadership team.
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: Baja Whale Tour Itinerary
If you have any questions, please feel free to email searcher.tours@bajawhale.com or call 619-226-2403.
Tackle Tip Thursday
Tackle Tip Thursday Vol. 97 (Popper/Spinning reel)
It's Tackle Tip Thursday and Throwback Thursday! Today we have Steve C. from Penn Fishing back from the Fred Hall Show. Steve gives us all the must-haves for tuna and yellowtail fishing. We were asked about spinning reels on the last Tackle Talk live so Steve gives us a tackle tip with a spinning reel and tackle [...]
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.