San Diego Sport Fishing History - H&M Landing Since 1935 (2024)

Howard Minor and Ralph Miller Sr. (Barney), two partners in Harbor Water Taxi, took a day off to fish marlin. The two men got hooked on the sport and thought seriously about founding a sportfishing company.

Mascot II made its maiden voyage from H&M Sport Fishing with 35 anglers who sacked 136 yellowtail at the Coronado Islands.

Four men, Howard Minor, Barney Miller, Tony and Bill Hoss founded H&M Sport Fishing Company.

The San Diego Sport Fisherman’s Association was formed to define fair practices in the industry. Minor played a key role in its development.

Mascot III was incorporated into the fleet.

World War II began. Some vessels in the H&M fleet were put into service as military transport and supply craft.

Otto Kiessig’s company, Sportfishers, merged with H&M Sport Fishing Company. Otto had a long range operation running to Guadalupe Island with Sportfishers IV and VI.

H&M reopened and sportfishing resumed.

Helen Jackson bought Otto’s fleet to become one of the first women at the helm in the sportfishing industry.

Lee Palm bought the Sportfisher fleet and began an “organized” approach to pioneering long range sportfishing from H&M.

Banner years in San Diego Sportfishing. Yellowtail, dorado, bluefin tuna, and albacore were plentiful.

New Mascot, H&M’s first 65′ sportfisher was launched.

The first Albacore sportfishing trips. Skippers recall that it was difficult to persuade anglers to go after albacore. Yellowtail were closer and seemed to be the preferred game fish.

Malihini, the first sportfisher over 80′ was added to the fleet.

H&M Landing launched a deluxe long range vessel, H&M 85′.

Ralph Miller, Jr. came into the business after his father’s death assuming control and administration of H&M.

With 8 open party boats in addition to its charter fleet, H&M became the world’s largest sportfishing fleet.

The City of Santa Barbara petitioned H&M to develop sportfishing at the breakwater.

H&M Landing, Santa Barbara was opened.

H&M Pioneered the first Natural History Expeditions into Baja California. An extensive natural history program was developed which attracted passengers from all over, including international markets.

65′ H&M Speed Twin, the first aluminum catamaran sportfisher on the West Coast, was launched. On July 18th the H&M Speed Twin broke the World Record by successfully pulling 58 water-skiers at once.

New docks and building, constructed under Ken Golden’s ownership, were completed and H&M moved into the facility it occupies today.

The Miller family resumed ownership of H&M. Ralph Miller shared administration and operation with daughter Catherine and son Bob.

H&M was able to secure authority from Mexico to enter the Baja whale lagoons which had been closed to public access.

H&M Landing took a leadership role in the organization of the San Diego Sportfishing Council, an organization composed of the San Diego landings and auxiliary businesses, formed to boost promotion of salt water angling.

A new partnership came into H&M Landing. General manager and partner Phil Lobred, together with other partners, Jan Kirk, Frank Kadota and William Ishibashi, carried the H&M tradition forward.

H&M Landing celebrated its 50th Anniversary, maintaining its position as the West Coast’s oldest, most experienced and diversified sportfishing company.

H&M Landing entered the world of cyberspace with its own website, https://www.hmlanding.com.

H&M Landing first offered online booking.

H&M Landing moved into their newest building.