H&M Landing is expanding its offshore offerings with the addition of two vessels to its fleet, announcing the arrival of the Electra and the Matador — both Southern California–built boats undergoing extensive refits aimed at enhancing multi-day sportfishing opportunities out of San Diego.
The additions reflect H&M Landing’s continued investment in modernizing its fleet while staying rooted in the traditions that have defined the landing for more than nine decades. “H&M Landing is proud to welcome two additions to our fleet this year, the Electra and Matador,” a representative from H&M Landing said in a statement. “These boats represent the next chapter of our commitment to anglers fishing out of San Diego.”
The Electra has been acquired by Chuck Taft and his son, Steven Taft, who will oversee day-to-day operations. Steven Taft is a fourth-generation San Diego fisherman, continuing a family legacy deeply tied to the region’s sportfishing industry. The 75-foot by 25-foot vessel is a purpose-built Southern California sportfisher designed to carry up to 30 passengers on multi-day offshore trips targeting bluefin and yellowfin tuna, yellowtail, dorado, and other gamefish.
The Electra also brings with it a long history in Southern California waters. Now undergoing a comprehensive retrofit, the vessel is scheduled to return to service by June 2026, aligning with the heart of H&M Landing’s prime fishing season. Planned upgrades include an all-new live bait system with what H&M describes as the highest capacity in its class, new fish preservation systems designed to keep catches in “just caught” condition, climate-controlled berthing, and a fully redesigned galley focused on passenger comfort. The vessel will also feature upgraded electronics, including stabilized side-scan sonar, live-streaming weather and water temperature data, Wi-Fi connectivity, and modern navigation systems.
Chuck Taft, a 60-year veteran of the sportfishing industry with a loyal following, adds the Electra to an already established stable of vessels. H&M Landing noted that the boat will complement both the Taft family’s operations and the landing’s long-standing base of anglers who regularly fish its boats.
The second addition, the Matador, has been acquired by Robert Hicks and Dylan Gerson. Measuring 65 feet by 25 feet, the Matador was originally designed and built for Southern California waters and will transition from her former role as a dive vessel into a limited-load, San Diego–class multi-day sportfisher. H&M Landing congratulated the new owners on the acquisition, noting that the Matador will serve customers fishing with the landing in a reduced passenger capacity aimed at comfort and flexibility.
The Matador is also slated for an extensive retrofit, including a new galley sized to accommodate all passengers on multi-day charters, a new live bait system, updated fish preservation capabilities, climate-controlled berthing, all-new electronics, Wi-Fi, and a full repower. Once the work is complete, the vessel is expected to serve private charters and groups of up to 25 anglers.
“This will be a long project, and we will provide updates as things progress,” the H&M Landing representative said, emphasizing that both vessels are being carefully rebuilt to meet the expectations of today’s offshore anglers.
For more than 90 years, H&M Landing has served Southern California anglers with trips ranging from six hours to 18 days in length. With the Electra and Matador joining the lineup, the landing continues to blend tradition with modernization, reinforcing its role as one of San Diego’s cornerstone sportfishing operations.
For more information about H&M Landing, go to hmlanding.com/.
