SAN CRISTÓBAL, MEXICO — Mikey Rijavec, a popular fishing YouTuber known as “Fish and Sips,” was found dead in the waters off Baja California five days after sending a distress call at sea. The California-based angler had gone missing on November 11 after his small fishing skiff capsized during a solo trip.
Last Call and Search Efforts
Rijavec, who had built a following of over 20,000 subscribers on YouTube for his solo fishing videos, was reportedly fishing about eight miles off the Baja coast when he radioed for help around 3:00 p.m. local time. He was experiencing engine trouble and tried to get assistance from other anglers by phone, but the call was suddenly cut short.
His brother, Gregory Rijavec, later confirmed that Mikey had been trying to fix the motor when it broke loose, causing the 14-foot boat to flip in the water.
A widespread search was launched immediately. The U.S. Coast Guard and Mexican Navy joined forces with dozens of private boats, aircraft, and volunteers from the local fishing community. A GoFundMe campaign was also set up by the family to support the efforts.
Boat Found, But No Sign of Mikey
Two days later, search teams located the turquoise skiff floating upside down about five miles offshore. The outboard engine was missing, adding to concerns about what happened after the vessel overturned. The U.S. Coast Guard ended its involvement the next day, handing the investigation over to Mexican authorities.
During the search, several theories emerged, including a sudden storm, a possible collision with a large sea animal like a whale, or even foul play. One of Mikey’s close friends, Phil Friedman, raised the possibility of unusual circumstances surrounding the disappearance.
Recovery and Farewell
On November 16, five days after the mayday call, Mikey’s body was recovered near the shores of San Cristóbal. His brother confirmed the tragic news in an emotional update on the fundraising page.
“As difficult as it is to accept this, we are grateful that it provides us some closure,” Gregory wrote, adding that Mikey’s life was about spreading “positive energy” and bringing joy to others through his adventures.
Tributes have poured in from the fishing and YouTube communities, where Mikey’s creativity, passion, and kind spirit had earned him many admirers. His loss has left a deep void among fans and friends who followed his journey both on land and at sea.
For more cases related to tragic accidents and maritime disappearances, check out our video here:
