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

Off Orange County, California, anglers are seeing unusual marine life as super El Niño conditions push warm water toward the coast. A charter aboard the 95-foot Dana Pride drew nearly full capacity—37 of 40 spots—after reports of standout fishing circulated online. Veteran angler Chuck Freeman landed a roughly 2-foot bullet tuna, followed by more. Scientists say the super El Niño has boosted a “warm blob” that brings species typically found farther away, including bullet tuna, along with reports from Orange County to Malibu of whale and hammerhead sharks, devil rays, and wahoos. NOAA’s Owyn Snodgrass said the ecosystem has shifted, though the catch numbers aren’t matching last decade’s event.