Mexico Popular Ocean Beach fisherman, YouTuber reported missing in Baja California

[Knox]

Mexican authorities are searching for a popular YouTuber from Ocean Beach who was reported missing after fishing off the coast of Baja California on Tuesday.

“He’s an adventurer. He pushes the envelope. That’s part of what we love about him,“ said Phil Friedman, a fellow angler, podcaster and close friend.

Officials say Mikey Rijavec was fishing eight miles off the coast on Tuesday when he issued a mayday call. Over the phone, fellow anglers tried to help him with the engine trouble he was having when the call suddenly ended.

“What could have happened? Oh my God, it's endless. It could be foul play. You never know, it's something that happens at sea sometimes. It could be a whale, it could be a shark," Friedman said.

Private boat owners, the Mexican Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard have all helped in the search.

The YouTuber was piloting a skiff. It was recovered five miles off the coast. The craft is just 14 feet long. The six-horsepower outboard engine was not recovered.

Popular Ocean Beach fisherman, YouTuber goes missing

Mikey Rijavec’s passion for fishing is well-documented in the YouTube videos that made him popular among the San Diego fishing community. Now, friends are sounding off on his recent disappearance.

www.nbcsandiego.com

 

[Knox]

Authorities are still searching for a popular fishing influencer days after he was reported missing off the coast of Baja California, a region of Mexico that borders the United States.

Officials said that Mikey Rijavec — who runs the YouTube channel SD Fish and Sips — was fishing eight miles off the coast on Tuesday, Nov. 11, when he issued a mayday call regarding engine trouble, though the call was abruptly ended, NBC News reported.

Authorities Search for Missing Fishing Influencer 3 Days After He Issues Mayday Call

Authorities are still searching for a popular fishing influencer Mikey Rijavec after he issued a mayday call eight miles off the coast on Tuesday, Nov. 11.

people.com

 

[Knox]

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[GraceG]

I looked at some of his videos - impressive fishing skills. I personally would NOT want to be on the open ocean miles from shore on a craft so small but I know a lot of people that would love that.

I didn't see him wearing any floatation gear in the few videos I looked at and there were lots of shots of him standing up in his skiff for photos with his catch. I was first thinking he may have fallen in, but an update to a fundraiser for him had some interesting and specific comments as to what transpired that resulted in the mayday call. It's informative but disheartenening.

Hopefully msm will update with more info soon. Searches are ongoing. Keeping Mikey's family and loved ones in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Knox]

I'll paraphrase what the family is stating in their recent update:

On November 11, at approximately 3:00 pm, Mikey issued a distress call on the radio. He had engine issues, and while trying to fix the issue, his motor dislodged causing his skiff to flip. He was able to upright the skiff and begin paddling, but his skiff had taken on water. We know nothing about what happened to Mikey after that. The distress call was heard by local fishermen. The signal was weak, and the message was not clear, but it was obvious that he needed help. The local fishermen immediately responded and began searching for him, and the US Coast Guard and Mexican Navy/Coast Guard were also immediately notified. Boats continued to search late into the night with no results. The following day, search efforts escalated which included dozens of local boats, every possible resource of the MX Navy, private planes providing aerial support, and ground search efforts by local authorities and community members. The search continued for four days, during which Mikey’s skiff was recovered, but ended on Saturday, November 15.

It sounds like officals and family do not think Mikey is alive and likely perished shortly after his radio distress call

 

[Incredholt]

Body of popular YouTube fisherman from Ocean Beach located in Mexico waters​

After a nearly week-long search, the body of a San Diego fisherman and popular YouTuber who went missing during a fishing excursion off the coast of Baja California, Mexico, has been found.

Mikey Rijavec of Ocean Beach was fishing eight miles off the coast Nov. 11 when he issued a mayday call. Over the phone, fellow anglers tried to help him with the engine trouble he was having when the call suddenly ended.

Search finds body of popular Youtube fisherman from San Diego

Mikey Rijavec’s passion for fishing is well-documented in the YouTube videos that made him popular among the San Diego fishing community.

www.nbcsandiego.com