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

Anglers off Orange County and beyond are reporting an unusual surge of rare species along California’s coast, tied to an unusually strong El Niño. On a Wednesday morning, Captain Brandon Erdo sailed the 95-foot Dana Pride near the coast with 37 of 40 spots booked, after social media buzz about the fishing. Veteran angler Chuck Freeman reeled in a shimmering, roughly 2-foot bullet tuna, with more catches soon following. NOAA fish biologist Owyn Snodgrass said the warm-water “blob” associated with super El Niño has shifted the entire ecosystem, with sightings reported from Orange County to Malibu of whale and hammerhead sharks, devil rays and wahoos, including fish usually found near Cabo San Lucas. Recreational fishing firms are seeing big demand, with data showing record marlin catches since 1990, though scientists say the past El Niño-like frenzy isn’t being matched in volume.