Welcome aboard.
Every dock has a story, but few have shaped an entire industry the way H&M Landing has. What follows isn’t simply a list of dates, boats, and record catches. It’s the logbook of the men and women who helped build West Coast sportfishing from the keel up.
From weathering the uncertainty of World War II to pioneering new fisheries and launching generations of legendary captains, H&M Landing has been charting the course for nearly a century. Every milestone below marks another chapter in that journey.
Discover how San Diego’s oldest sportfishing fleet became the standard by which all others are measured, since 1935.
The 1930s: The Founding
The Day It All Started
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.
First Trip
Mascot II made its maiden voyage from H&M Sport Fishing to the Coronado Islands. The results set the standard for decades to come.
“We were in business.”
Four men—Howard Minor, Barney Miller, Tony Hoss, and Bill Hoss—officially 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.
Mascot III
Mascot III was incorporated into the fleet.
The 1940s: War & Rebirth
War Changes Everything
With the US entry into World War II, sportfishing was immediately suspended. Several vessels in the H&M fleet were drafted and put into service as military transport and supply craft for the war effort.
H&M reopened and sportfishing resumed. On this same day, Otto Kiessig’s company, Sportfishers, merged with H&M Sport Fishing Company, bringing in a long-range operation running to Guadalupe Island with Sportfishers IV and VI.
The 1950s: The Golden Age
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.
These were banner years in San Diego sportfishing. Yellowtail, dorado, bluefin tuna, and albacore were incredibly plentiful.
New Mascot, H&M’s first 65-foot sportfisher, was launched.
H&M ran its first albacore sportfishing trips. Skippers recall that it was initially difficult to persuade anglers to go after albacore, as yellowtail were closer and the preferred game fish at the time.
The 1960s & 70s: Expansion
Malihini, the first sportfisher over 80 feet, was added to the fleet.
H&M Landing launched a deluxe, 85-foot long-range vessel, the H&M 85.
Ralph Miller, Jr. entered the business after his father’s death, assuming control and administration of H&M.
With eight open party boats in addition to its charter fleet, H&M became the world’s largest sportfishing fleet.
H&M Landing, Santa Barbara was officially opened following a petition from the City of Santa Barbara.
H&M pioneered the first Natural History Expeditions into Baja California. This extensive program attracted passengers from all over the world.
The 65-foot H&M Speed Twin, the first aluminum catamaran sportfisher on the West Coast, was launched. Later that year, it broke a world record by successfully towing 58 water-skiers at once.
New docks and buildings, 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 operations with his daughter, Catherine, and son, Bob.
H&M secured authority from Mexico to enter the Baja whale lagoons, which had previously been closed to public access.
1980s — Present: The Modern Era
H&M Landing took a leadership role in organizing the San Diego Sportfishing Council—a coalition of San Diego landings and auxiliary businesses formed to promote saltwater angling.
A new partnership took the helm at H&M Landing. General manager and partner Phil Lobred, alongside 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 most diversified sportfishing company.
H&M Landing entered the digital age with the launch of its first website.
H&M Landing introduced its first online booking system.
H&M Landing officially moved into its brand-new, modern headquarters.
Historical Gallery
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