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.
Login or create your Angler Account: Click Here
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
Trip 1-Accurate (June 22)
Hello anglers,
We saw a tremendous amount of tuna today and it was an impressive sight. We stopped multiple times and had opportunities to catch bluefin tuna up to 85 pounds. We drifted for 4 hours in a school of fish and had several chances. We ended up with 14 bluefin and three yellowfin for our efforts.
Looking forward to returning to the area on Wednesday.
Capt Art and Team Searcher
Captain’s Blog
Mystery Outing
Hello anglers,
Celia organized an outing for us over Memorial Day weekend, on Sunday, May 24. She didn’t say where we were going until we got in the car. We were heading to Costa Mesa and Newport Beach to explore where Searcher (original name Cape Polaris) was built 50 years ago, and then retrace the journey from the boatyard to the launching. For general directions, we were going by remembered information from those that were there, old photos, and information from a journalist who was writing a column about the local maritime activities in Orange County back then. He comes from a sportfishing family who operated a large landing in Newport through the 1950’s.
Things have changed since 1970, but it was great to see the street where the Dittmar and Donaldson marine architects and boat builders had their boat yard (Sea Boat Co) on 16th Street in Costa Mesa. Then we drove down Newport Blvd to Lido Isle and imagined Cape Polaris on the back of a truck at night, arriving to its launch site at Lido Shipyard (now Newport Harbor Shipyard). I got to walk beside the ways where she may have been launched into the water for the first time. The photo at the top of this post is her launch day.
It was a great day with lots of nostalgia. We may be learning even more as time goes on. We are so privileged to be a part of this great boat’s history and we are looking forward to the future years of being its owners and caretakers!
Capt Art
-
- New boat building company!
-
- Richard Dittmar obituary
-
- West coast sportfishers article in Daily Pilot
More information and fun facts:
Costa Mesa’s notoriety for boat building
Dittmar and Donaldson scrapbook, including smaller original Searcher
Searcher Crew
Searcher Crew Profile
Jason Rombotis, Crewman/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
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.