News

WOW! The report was filed, photos sent, and coordinates offered to all SAC members by the spotter plane from yesterday’s flight over our offshore areas.

Under great weather conditions, we spotted good sightings of schools throughout coastal areas from San Diego to Ensenada. The schools are substantial–25 to150-plus pound bluefin tuna were spotted. Boilers were common with schools feeding on anchovies. The following pictures are for your use from the plane today.

We are super excited to be heading up to the Central Coast! We’ll be at Turner’s Outdoorsman – Oxnard on May 10th at 6pm to talk about “Tackle Tips for Multi-day Trips. We hope to see you there!

Just a book a trip aboard Searcher! It was a long process, but we have been informed that our permit to fish Guadalupe Island this summer and fall will be issued soon. Please read the information below if you are interested in fishing there again.

For 2017, all 5-, 6-, and 7-day trips MAY include the opportunity to fish at Guadalupe. The actual fishing locations will be decided each trip by the captain, and his decisions will be based on best available fishing — determined by conditions and fishing reports. Guadalupe Island could be one of those locations or not. In addition we have added TWO new trips in November that will be “Guadalupe Island Specials,” and those trips will target fishing the island.

GUADALUPE SPECIALS for 2017:
Trip 33: Sat, Nov 4 – Fri, Nov 10, 6-day trip, 14 anglers, Ultra-limited load, $3600*
Trip 34: Sat Nov 11 – Fri, Nov 17, 6-day trip, 25 anglers, Accurate Fishing/Seeker Rods, $2340*

*FEES: Any trips fishing Guadalupe Island will require additional fees to access the island and fulfill necessary immigration requirements. We are estimating that to be about $250 per person, due on the day of departure.

As for ALL trips in 2017, a valid passport is required. Don’t miss out because you didn’t renew in time!

“We met up with our best sponsors at the show to say “THANK YOU” and “BRING ON 2017!””

From Searcher Sponsors. Posted by SearcherSportfishing on 3/11/2017 (9 items)

Generated by Facebook Photo Fetcher 2

Sportfishing Association of California and Commerical Passenger Fishing Vessels (CPFV) Collaborate on Tuna Research

San Diego-based Sportfishing Association of CA initiated a collaboration between scientists and recreational anglers.

Tuna caught by you and your fellow recreational anglers now provides resource managers and scientists with valuable data, in addition to gracing the dinner tables of family and friends. These data, collected by the CPFV fleet Captains and crew members, may allow decision-makers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and California Department of Fish and Wildlife to more effectively manage fisheries in southern California and northern Baja California, Mexico.

Since the 2015 fishing season, Searcher and other CPFVs have been involved in the program which was proposed by the SAC and implemented by Alayna Siddall, SAC’s Director of Science and Communications. The project has Captains and crew members measure tuna (all species) lengths according to a standard protocol and then record them on waterproof data sheets.

These data can be used to determine total take by weight of tuna in the local region (southern California and northern Baja California, Mexico) and help inform future stock assessments. This information is needed in order to estimate the catch in a more accurate way.

SAC provided the crew member training, all equipment, and data sheets. In addition they process the data, along with CEC Research, and make it available to outside entities such as NOAA and California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Team Searcher is 100% supportive of these efforts that will help protect recreational anglers’ fishing interests.

Ryan L., Captains Aaron and Art measure and record sizes of these small yellowfin tuna from a 2016 trip.

“We are happy to participate in data collection and be proactive, as resource managers assess stocks and possibly make changes to bag limits. We hope to see an increase in that limit for bluefin tuna in California due to information this program provides.”

–Captain Art

This project will continue through 2017, and hopefully for several years to come. When catch is loaded off Searcher and placed into carts, and before it makes its way to the fish processor, you might notice our crew measuring and recording the lengths of your tuna. Your fish has the potential to benefit the entire fleet and future generations of anglers…just in case you needed even more incentive to get out fishing!

if you’d like more information on this program, contact SAC’s Director of Science and Communication: Alayna Siddall