Searcher Sportfishing | San Diego Charter Fishing

Searcher Sportfishing | San Diego, CA | Saltwater Fishing

Searcher’s 2025 & Partial 2026 Schedule – Click here to view!

Email the Searcher office to sign up for a trip waitlist or inquire about chartering a 2026 trip, office@searchersportfishing.com.

Login or create your Angler Account: Click Here

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 Crews 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 2025 or 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.

Trip Report

Jul 22021

Jul 2 (3 day trip)

Good evening anglers,

We opted to go west this afternoon (7/1)and on the way out we saw a fair amount of 20-60lb bluefin. On the way out we tried a few spots and landed one 50-lber.  The rest were not cooperative.  We kept sliding west and got an opportunity in the evening right before the sun went down on 20-lbers with light line and small hooks.

We finally managed to get on a spot of 25lbers and plunked up a few on light line.

We made a move to a new area today (7/2) and are seeing incredible sign.  It took awhile, but we settled into a plunker at about 10am and drifted for a bit picking up one-two at a time.  The grade we’re seeing is 20-100+lbs.  We have one 50-lber for our day and the rest are 20-30lb. It’s very tough to get a bite but the light line finesse guys and gals are having some success.  

Captain Mike and the boys

Check out these tackle suggestions: Tackle for Offshore Trips

Here is Shannon and Captain Ryan with a catch from this morning!

Good evening anglers,

We had a steady plunker fishing all day on 20-50lb bluefin. We drifted almost all day.  And it’s the same situation as this morning where it’s tough to get a bite, so we are using light line and small hooks. There’s still a very good sign around however.

We’re all having a good with here great weather and enjoyable fishing.  We’re starting to see some yellowfin mixed in. We caught a couple yesterday.  Hopefully sign of more to come.

Captain Mike and the boys

Check out these tackle suggestions: Tackle for Offshore Trips

A few yellowfin showed up!

Captain’s Blog

May 52022

Tackle Tip Thursday Vol. 180 (Wind In Your Face)

Happy Tackle Tip Thursday!

Welcome back to another week of Tackle Tip Thursday! This month we will be featuring the one and only Catain Art Taylor in a series of videos that all address questions asked from our followers. As Captain Art enters his 40th year of owner and operator of Searcher, we thought it would be appropriate to showcase some of his extensive knowledge and expertise. 

This week Art illustrates the significance of understanding the way the wind affects movement of the boat, how to work with drifting, and following your line to avoid losing opporTUNAties!

Want more tackle tip videos? Here’s our channel “Searcher Sportfishing on YouTube”

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

 

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

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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