Searcher Sportfishing | San Diego Long Range Fishing
Searcher 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 2026 & Partial 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
1.5 day Trip (June 23-25)
Good morning anglers,
We got a shot at the size large bluefin this morning. We landed two: a 130# and a 140#. Here’s Cole and Greg with their trophies.
We are seeing lots of fish around right now. We stopped on an enormous school a few minutes ago and they’re jumping around the boat. not getting any bites though. We’re hoping they start to bite this afternoon.
Many thanks to Aftco for the awesome face coverings–perfect for anglers!
~Captain Mike and the boys
Good evening anglers,
We had some action chasing around small boilers of yellowfin tuna this afternoon. We could not get on a school of bluefin until after dark. Then we stopped on a jumbo school of big ones around 930pm. We’re just gettin gout of our stop here at 11:30 p.m. We went 6 for 13. The smallest one was around 70lbs and the biggest one we landed was 130+lbs. Only one fish was under 100 pounds. We hooked some much bigger ones that escaped. We hooked all our fish on the flat falls and sinker-rig mackeral. The ones we landed all came in on either 80lb or 100lb test. Here’s the first 5 trophies that came over the rail.
Click here for some info on “sinker rig” fishing! 
Time for some sleep.
Captain Mike and the boys
Captain’s Blog
Trip #23: Sep 17-20 (3 day) Penn Reels
Good afternoon anglers,
We began our morning on the bluefin tuna grounds. Shortly after sunrise we saw a school of birds picking on the surface with a few tuna boiling underneath them. Once we got close we realized that it was a very large school of tuna. We had bites on the fly line sardine, the sinker rig, and the Colt Sniper. Steve Carson from Penn Reels got a nice one on the fly line sardine on 25lb test. 
We have amazing weather and are seeing lots of fish. Everybody is enjoying an awesome carnitas lunch and we are ready to put some more on the boat!
Captain Armando and Team Searcher
Mike and Greg got in on the good bluefin tuna action!
Good evening anglers,
This afternoon was a little slow for us in the bluefin zone, though we did manage to land a few more. We are hoping to get a stop in the dark tonight to drop the flat falls down for some more bluefin, and then we are on our way south to try for some dorado and yellow fin tuna on kelp paddies.
Captain Armando and Team Searcher
One of the Hawaiian shirt bunch, Mark, and his bluefin!
Searcher Crew
Searcher Crew Profile
Captain Mike Hurd
more profiles
Social Media
Did You Know?
Searcher Offers 12-Day Whale Watching Cruises & Guided 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 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:Â 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.
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.
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.