Super El Niño Spurs Unusual Fishing Conditions off California Coast

On a recent Wednesday morning, Captain Brandon Erdo guided the 95-foot Dana Pride toward a promising patch of ocean miles off the Orange County coast. With the boat nearly full, 37 out of 40 angler spots were occupied. Anglers were drawn by reports on social media about abundant fishing linked to the super El Niño.

“Get a little bait going here, Eric,” Erdo announced over the loudspeaker. A deckhand quickly threw anchovies overboard, scattering scales across the deck. Veteran angler Chuck Freeman landed a shimmering bullet tuna, approximately two feet long, marking his first catch of this kind in nearly five decades of Pacific fishing.

Moments later, he caught another tuna. The activity on deck was marked by the thumping sounds of fish tails and the sight of blood. Scientists report that super El Niño conditions have warmed the water off California this year. This warmth attracts fish not usually seen here, like the bullet tuna, typically found in the Indian and Atlantic oceans or around Hawaii.

“We’re seeing fish that should be in Cabo San Lucas right now,” said fish biologist Owyn Snodgrass from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, noting a major shift in the ecosystem.

For sport fishing companies, this super El Niño has been beneficial. Tuna and other desirable species are being caught in large numbers, sometimes for the first time in years. Data shows a historic year for marlin fishing, with more caught than any time since 1990. Mike Conroy, president of the Sportfishing Association of California, remarked, “This is the future’s ‘Good old days.’”

Onboard the Dana Pride, anglers like David Koligian eagerly awaited their catch. However, anglers noted that despite the presence of rare fish, the overall number of catchable fish isn’t as high as a decade ago. Eric Munoz, a deckhand, asked, “Who wants a bullet tuna?” as they are not ideal for keeping.

Captain Erdo instructed the anglers to reel in lines as they moved to another spot, where an anxious quiet settled among the group. Using binoculars, Erdo scanned the water for signs of life, like kelp that attracts smaller fish, which in turn lure larger fish. Dolphins, visible through their antics, brought temporary excitement early in the trip.

Jacob Rubio, another angler, had caught some bullet tuna but lost them before bringing them in. The day was still young, though hopes were high. Last year’s catch was minimal compared to this year’s bounty, already exceeding 5,800 yellowfin tuna and over 150 mahi-mahi.

Scientists like Lyall Bellquist observed that the number of fish caught hasn’t surged as expected. One possible reason could be the differences in marine heat waves this year versus previous years. Earlier, marine heat waves created a phenomenon called “the blob” that disrupted the food chain.

In 2014 and 2015, angler crews enjoyed impressive catches during a similar warm period. This year, the numbers are less, with only 10,980 yellowfin and 2,440 skipjack tuna caught by September. Research suggests fewer anglers are fishing offshore, and oceanographic changes may also impact catch volumes.

Captain Erdo noted the gap between the high expectations surrounding El Niño and the reality. Exaggeration, as senior environmental scientist Elizabeth Hellmers said, is common among fishermen. Eventually, the Dana Pride found a spot near floating kelp, where the action resumed, temporarily igniting enthusiasm.

By the end of the day, the haul included 120 bullet tuna, 17 yellowfin tuna, three skipjack tuna, and one mahi-mahi. Though not as productive as hoped, Erdo encouraged anglers to monitor fish counts, confident of their continued presence.