Searcher Sportfishing | San Diego Charter Fishing

Searcher Sportfishing | San Diego, CA | Saltwater Fishing

Our 2026 Schedule Is Available!! Click here to view our 2026 schedule

Inquire about chartering a 2026 trip, office@searchersportfishing.com.

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Searcher with satellite on crow's nest

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, Chef Josh and the Searcher Crew on our 95-foot boat for 1.5-day to 8-day long-range sportfishing excursions to the prime fishing destinations of Baja California.

Searcher is docked at Fisherman’s Landing, 2838 Garrison Street San Diego, CA 92106.

Book your 2026 Searcher Sportfishing trip and gain access to prime offshore fishing areas for fishing for bluefin, yellowfin, dorado, yellowtail and more!⁠

View our schedule, book online or call the office at 619-226-2403.

Fisherman’s Landing has been posting fish report videos on YouTube with the latest updates. You can check them out here Fisherman’s Landing YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fishermanslanding.

If you have specific tackle questions, feel free to give Fisherman’s Landing Tackle Shop a call. Their crew stays up to date on current conditions, what’s being caught, and what tackle is working best. 619-221-8500.

Trip Report

Jul 52023

Jul 5 (Jul 4-6) Let’s Talk Hook-up!

Good afternoon:

We’re on our Let’s Talk Hook-up sponsored 2-day trip with CCA’s Wayne Kotow as host. Giveways were distributed and we got down to business.

We headed out west last night to where we have been fishing and we didn’t stay very long. We stopped on a few decent schools for no result. It didn’t seem right. We made the decision pretty quickly that we were not where we wanted to be.
We ran back in 70 miles and we’ve had a few decent opportunities in mixed yellowfin and bluefin this morning. We’re not seeing a whole lot right now, and are looking for another stop. The fish are 20-40lbs
Captain Mike and the boys

Captain’s Blog

Mar 162023

Tackle Tip Thursday Vol. 216 (Connection Series: Albright Knot)

Watch this video from Rick Maxa at Fisherman’s Landing Tackle Shop to learn (and practice) a good connection knot for two lines, especially those of different sizes.

See Rick and the other experts at Fisherman’s Landing Tackle Shop located at Fishermans Landing, where Searcher departs. Visiting the shop and reviewing current tackle options with the team is your key to fishing success as you depart on your trip!

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!

 

A great question from YouTube subscriber, and the full answer from Rick Maxa!

QUESTON: “If we are using hollow core, what’s the max difference in size would you recommend. Example 80lb hollow core, what’s the max flouro that should be used when splicing?”

ANSWER: “An excellent question, and one without a black and white answer.  The first school of thought would be to never exceed your backing strength. Meaning if we have 80# hollow core backing, we shouldn’t use more than 80# fluoro.

However, there are some times when we are using the topshot purely for abrasion resistance. We’ll use knife jigging at night as our example. We are using an “80#” 2-speed outfit. It’s backed with 80# hollow spectra and it’s our dedicated night time jig outfit. Even though the rod is still ment for 80, our drags are set for 80, etc. we may put 130# into the backing and eliminate the need for a leader on your knife jig. You won’t be fishing any more drag, but you might be better off if the fish swallows your jig, or you find yourself in a tangle.

Those are the 2 schools of thought. As long as you can fit your fluorocarbon into the hollow spectra, there is no limit to the size of line from a connection strength stand point.”

Searcher Crew

Searcher Crew Profile


Mike Hurd, Crewman/Captain
Captain Mike is a great addition to our relief crew team. In his other life, he is a firefighter!

more profiles

Did You Know?

Searcher Offers Whale Watching Tours!

Whale tail

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

Jan 32019

Tackle Tip Thursday Vol.29 (Surface irons)

Today, We have our very own Captain Mike, he gives us all the must haves for his favorite kind of fishing. Fishing with surface irons for yellowtail. (Head to your local tackle shop and ask for a Tady Starman 112. AKA Candybar lure, Salas 7x and the Tady 45 click here.) https://youtu.be/3FghhsYAIFI [...]

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.

Dave R, May 2022

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!

Ted R, May 2022

Captain, crew and cooks were absolute professionals. Boat is extremely clean and comfortable. Everyone worked **very hard**.

Dave M, June 2022

The crew directing traffic while you have a fish on was done to perfection. Very happy with the positive energy from the whole boat.

Wes B, Jul 2022

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!

Steve, September 2022

The crew was awesome, great food and immediate attention to the deck, gaffing, and help with tangles.

Angler, September 2022

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!

Dave P, August 2022

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.

Angler, November 2022

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.

Angler, November 2022

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.

Dan C, June 2023

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.

Robert W, June 2023

When you have a great crew and good fishing you remember the good times!

Spencer W, June 2023

Best run operation I’ve ever been on as far as desire of captain and attitude/ teamwork of the crew.

Rick B, June 2023

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.

Ron, May 2023

They did everything possible to make it a successful adventure for everyone willing/able to participate.

Vic, May 2023

Absolute top notch operation. I always enjoy fishing with Team Searcher.

Bill R May, 2023

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.

Bill, June 2023

Customer service and great attitude is always abundant on Searcher!

Bill, Jun 2023

Deckhands exceptional, food was excellent, accommodations were great.

Max, July 2023

Searcher attracts a nice group of anglers. Experienced fisher persons, work well together.

Bruce, June 2023

Great vibe; welcoming/professional/skilled/hospitable. The Searcher Team rocks!

Dave, Jun 2023

There’s a reason why I come back each year…I’m hooked with the Searcher.

JR, July 2023
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