Boat Searcher Sportfishing Boat Big Yellowtail Sunset Crew and Wahoo Crew and sunset Fish off the boat
San Diego Long Range Fishing | Searcher Sportfishing

Searcher Sportfishing | San Diego Long Range Fishing

Searcher Sportfishing BoatSearcher Sportfishing offers premier San Diego long-range fishing trips departing from Fisherman’s Landing in San Diego, California. 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 offshore fishing locations in Southern California and Baja California, Mexico, targeting tuna, yellowtail, wahoo, dorado, and more.

View Searcher’s 2027 Schedule

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

Interested in chartering a trip, send an email, office@searchersportfishing.com or call the office, 619-226-2403.

For the latest Southern California fishing reports check out Fisherman’s Landing YouTube Page. If you have tackle questions, give Fisherman’s Landing Tackle Shop a call, 619-221-8500.

Trip Report

Aug 212021

Aug 21 (Lady Angler Searcher Special 3-day trip)

Hello anglers,

We departed yesterday on our annual ladies trip. We looked for kelp paddies yesterday evening for some yellowtail and doroado. We landed just a few fish but it was a chance to wet a line on our way out to the tuna grounds. The weather is outstanding with calm seas.

Capt Armando looked around last night for a school of bluefin and had some success. We landed four fish in the 40-70 pound range on flat fall lures and 80 pound test. If you are coming out on a trip in the future, don’t forget a heavy outfit for that type of fishing.

We found a school after daylight and drifted for a while catching bluefin up to 70 pounds.

More later,
Captain Art and Team Searcher

Glenda landed her tuna after an assist from Capt Art. TIP: Try a flyline sardine and 30 pound line with a #2 hook.

Hello anglers,

Excellent fishing today for bluefin tuna 30-80 pounds! We spent a lot of time drifting with fish hooked, and really good signs of fish throughout the day. The preferred method was flyline sardine on 30-40 pound line and fluorocarbon with a #2 J-hook or a small circle hook. Changing your bait and making sure you have a bait that swims was key.

Captain Art and Team Searcher

Ginny and Captains Ryan and Armando with a nice bluefin

Captain’s Blog

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!

Searcher Crew

Searcher Crew Profile


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

more profiles

Did You Know?

Searcher Offers 12-Day Whale Watching Cruises & Guided 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 cruise and guided tour from Fisherman’s Landing in San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico, scheduled for February 6 – 17, 2027. 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!

For more details, view Baja Whale’s website www.bajawhale.com

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

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel and we are able to rebook your spot, or if we receive your cancellation more than 120 days prior to departure, your deposit is refundable less a 10% cancellation fee based on the trip price.

If you cancel less than 120 days prior to departure, the trip is non-refundable unless the spot is rebooked. If the spot is rebooked, a refund will be issued less the 10% cancellation fee based on the trip price.

No refunds will be issued after the trip departs.

We recommend purchasing trip insurance to help protect your vacation investment in the event you need to cancel your trip. For pricing, benefits, and assistance from an agent, please visit Safari Global Travel. https://safariglobaltravel.com/

All trips require a valid passport book or passport card. Cancellation due to not having a valid passport book or passport card is still considered a cancellation and is subject to the same cancellation policy outlined above. Passport books or passport cards must be valid for the duration of the trip and will not expire during the duration of the trip and must meet the Mexican immigration requirements. Please verify your passport expiration date and ensure it meets all travel requirements before making your deposit.

All passengers are required to carry a valid passport (Passport Book or Passport Card) for all trips. Trip itineraries and fishing locations are subject to change based on weather, fishing conditions, and operational needs. Failure to possess a valid passport does not exempt a passenger from the cancellation policy.

Passengers are responsible for ensuring their passport is valid at the time of travel and meets all applicable U.S. and Mexican entry requirements. No refunds will be issued due to a passenger’s failure to provide the required travel documentation.

If a trip requires Mexican immigration documents (such as an FMM or similar visitor authorization), a valid passport or passport card is required.

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