A pair of familiar vessels in the Southern California sportfishing scene — the Freedom and the Apollo — have officially changed hands after a lengthy sales process involving inspections, documentation reviews, Coast Guard compliance steps, and escrow procedures that typically accompany commercial vessel transfers.
The boats had been operated for years by Jeff Jessop, a longtime figure in the L.A. area sportfishing community who started as a deckhand in Redondo before advancing to captain and eventually fleet owner. After decades in the industry, Jessop stepped away from sportfishing, sold both vessels, and relocated out of state, beginning a new career in law enforcement. His departure marks the end of a notable chapter for someone deeply rooted in the local fleet.
Ownership of the Freedom, an 85-foot vessel based at 22nd Street Landing Sportfishing in San Pedro, has transferred to Captains Chris and Edgar Isaac and Marc Sonoda, the same team behind the El Patron at Long Beach Sportfishing. Under its new ownership, the Freedom will continue operating 1.5-day and 2-day open-party trips, along with private charter opportunities. The boat is known for its 52 bunks — though open-party load is capped at 35 anglers — plus showers, large bait capacity, and refrigerated fish holds with roughly four tons of storage.
The Apollo has been purchased by Captain Justin Ryan, known for running the Aztec out of Seaforth Sportfishing in Mission Bay. Ryan has worked out of Seaforth for many years, making San Diego a natural home base for the vessel heading into its next era.
While the Apollo now has new ownership, its operating schedule will continue along the familiar pattern for the upcoming year. The vessel will begin its spring charter season at 22nd Street Landing before shifting south for its traditional San Diego summer offshore program. After the Southern California season wraps up, the Apollo will operate out of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico during the fall and winter months, targeting large-grade tuna in the region’s productive offshore waters.
The transfers signal a period of transition across several landing operations, with vessels continuing their long-established schedules even as new ownership teams step in. Anglers who have followed the movements of the Freedom and the Apollo can expect continuity in service while watching how each boat evolves with its new captains at the helm.
