Fishing influencer Mikey Rijavec was found dead on Nov. 16, five days after issuing a mayday while fishing about eight miles off Baja California. His 14-foot skiff was recovered roughly five miles from shore; the boat’s six-horsepower outboard motor was missing. A multi-day search involving the U.S. Coast Guard, the Mexican Navy, local boats and private teams was co-led by Mexican authorities and Rijavec’s family. His brother and friends paid tribute, saying the recovery brings some closure to loved ones.
Fishing Influencer Mikey Rijavec Found Dead After Five-Day Search Off Baja Coast
Fishing influencer Mikey Rijavec was found dead on Nov. 16, five days after issuing a mayday while fishing about eight miles off Baja California. His 14-foot skiff was recovered roughly five miles from shore; the boat’s six-horsepower outboard motor was missing. A multi-day search involving the U.S. Coast Guard, the Mexican Navy, local boats and private teams was co-led by Mexican authorities and Rijavec’s family. His brother and friends paid tribute, saying the recovery brings some closure to loved ones.
02:55 AM, 11/18/2025Society
Mikey Rijavec, creator of SD Fish and Sips, recovered after multi-day search
Mikey Rijavec, a fishing influencer behind the YouTube channel SD Fish and Sips, was found dead on Nov. 16, five days after he went missing while fishing off the coast of Baja California, Mexico. His family confirmed the recovery in an update posted to a GoFundMe page established to support search efforts.
Rijavec issued a mayday call on Nov. 11 while about eight miles from shore, reporting engine trouble; the radio transmission was abruptly cut off, according to NBC News. Authorities later recovered his 14-foot skiff roughly five miles from the coast, but the six-horsepower outboard motor was not found.
The search spanned five days and involved the U.S. Coast Guard, the Mexican Navy, dozens of local boats, private aircraft and ground crews. Mexican authorities and Rijavec’s family co-led the search operations.
“It is time for the countless people involved in the search for Mikey to finally rest and begin to find peace,” Gregory Rijavec wrote on the GoFundMe page. “Mikey’s body was found in the water near San Cristobal earlier today. As difficult as it is to accept this, we are grateful that it provides us some closure.”
In his tribute, Gregory described his brother as a positive, mindful presence who dedicated himself to lifting others. “Mikey was mindful and present every day, and that allowed him to live a longer life than can be measured on a calendar,” the post read. “His mission was to spread his positive energy and make every person he came in contact with better, and he did.”
Friends and members of the fishing community also expressed shock and sorrow. Phil Friedman, a close friend, posted on Facebook: “Mikey brought so much joy, laughter, and passion to the fishing community, and his absence leaves a huge void. Please keep his family, loved ones, and everyone who knew him in your thoughts and prayers.”
The family launched the GoFundMe to coordinate and fund search efforts. Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances that led to Rijavec’s death or the precise location of the recovery beyond the San Cristobal area mentioned by his brother.
Correction/Note: Details reported here reflect family statements and local and U.S. news coverage; further official updates may appear as authorities continue their review.