Mike Moore
Boat Name: Legacy
Boat Length: 25 ft.
Catch: California Halibut, White Seabass, Yellowtail, Tuna, Albacore, Mahi-Mahi
Method: Hook and Line
Location: Santa Barbara Coast to Ventura Coast and Channel Islands
How did you get into fishing?
Mike started fishing in 1968 when his family moved from New Jersey to Southern California. He grew up learning how to fish while rowing dinghies out by the reef in Laguna Beach. Mike’s first boat of his own was a 16 foot row boat named Jigstrike, that he would take out after school and in the summers to fish for really big fish such as calico bass, barracuda, and halibut, which he would catch and release. At age 19 Mike earned his Captain’s License and ran sport fishing boats for a living before working on long range sport fishing vessels down in San Diego, and captaining Natural History whale watching boat tours in Baja, where the gray whales have their young. One such fishing vessel he worked on was the Searcher which was captained at the time by Al Rich, an experienced captain with his master’s license, who now at 63 works as a deckhand on Mike’s boat! After a healthy sabbatical of other jobs, Mike decided he wanted to go back to fishing. He found himself a steady job as a fire engineer (he drives the truck and operates the pumps!) in Ventura County, where he has worked for the past 30 years, and also fishes on his boat, The Legacy. Mike is looking forward to his retirement so that he can return to commercial fishing full time.
How have you connected with the community?
Mike says it’s been a good and healthy mix for him to make his living off of fishing and also have it be his passion. After 40 years of fishing, he is eternally excited to be doing something he enjoys while being able to share quality, high end seafood with the community.
What is your favorite part about your fishing?
Mike’s favorite part about fishing is being out there and connecting with nature. As he puts it, “it’s pure; and there are challenges that are faced on a daily basis that make this type of profession very rewarding when things do come together.”
What are your hobbies on outside of fishing?
Mike has many hobbies, notably that he is an avid skin diver. In fact, he recently went on an expedition with his daughter to Cancun to dive with whale sharks and other marine life! He likes to spend his time off the water enjoying the outdoors and he hopes to make it to Yosemite one day. Mike is also an outdoor writer and photojournalist. He has written several articles for national journals including Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Magazine!
Mike’s Advice:
“Follow your dreams, surround yourself with good friends, go where few dare to venture, and do what makes you happiest for a long and fulfilling life!”
How do you cook what you catch?
Mike says “it’s hard to beat fresh albacore barbecued on the grill.” His favorite way to prepare it is to chop the fish into equally sized steaks and marinate them in Bernstein’s Italian Dressing. Throw it on a hot grill for a couple minutes on each side, and you’re good to go! (Just be careful not to overcook it- it should still be a bit pink in the middle). Mike says the same recipe works great with ahi tuna as well, and is best served with brown rice and broccoli or coleslaw.
