Niño shifts exotic sea creatures to Southern California's coast. Here's what anglers are seeing

On a Wednesday morning off Orange County, Captain Brandon Erdo steered the 95-foot Dana Pride to waters that had been drawing anglers after “super El Niño” conditions boosted marine life. With 37 of 40 spots filled, veteran angler Chuck Freeman landed an approximately 2-foot-long bullet tuna—the first he’d caught in 47 years—followed shortly by another. Scientists say a warm “blob” of water forming earlier this year has shifted the ecosystem, bringing rare fish species such as bullet tuna, whale and hammerhead sharks, devil rays and wahoos farther into California waters. Officials say catches are lower than the last major event, and bullet tuna spoil quickly, limiting demand.