The intense search for Mikey Rijavec, a well-known fisherman and influencer from Ocean Beach, concluded on Sunday, November 16, when his body was found in Mexican waters near San Cristóbal, on the coast of Baja California Sur.
The fisherman’s death was confirmed by his family and friends, bringing to an end nearly a week of coordinated efforts between authorities and volunteers to locate him after his disappearance during a fishing trip.
Rijavec, a San Diego native and prominent figure on platforms like YouTube, had gone fishing on November 11, positioning himself about 13 kilometers off the coast of Baja California Sur.
Why did Mikey Rijavec call for help?
During the day, he issued a distress call after his boat’s engine broke down, according to his family on the GoFundMe page created to support the search.
While attempting to repair the malfunction, the motor detached, and the 15-foot (4.2-meter) boat capsized. That same day, authorities recovered the vessel five miles (8 kilometers) offshore, but found neither the motor nor any trace of Rijavec.
The search operation mobilized dozens of private boat owners, the Mexican Navy, and the U.S. Coast Guard, who combed the area for several days.
How was the American fisherman found in Mexico?
Rijavec’s family announced on November 15 that the search efforts had been called off, according to a post by his brother on the GoFundMe page.
Finally, his body was found the following Sunday near San Cristóbal, according to an update posted by his brother on the same platform.
Fisherman and podcaster Phil Friedman, a close friend of Rijavec, confirmed to Telemundo 20 that he received the news of the discovery from Rijavec’s father. Friedman highlighted Rijavec’s adventurous spirit and his tendency to always seek new challenges: “He’s an adventurer. He always pushes the boundaries. That’s part of what we love about him.”
Who was Mikey Rijavec?
Mikey Rijavec was an American fisherman and content creator, known for his YouTube channel “SD Fish and Sips,” dedicated to kayak fishing off the coasts of California and Baja California Sur. On November 11, 2025, while fishing in Bahía Asunción, Baja California Sur, he issued a distress call due to engine trouble. Shortly afterward, all contact was lost.
His kayak was found capsized the next day, with no sign of Mikey. After an extensive search, his body was found on November 16 near San Cristóbal. His death sparked a strong reaction from the fishing community and his followers.
Source: infobae
