EPAC Still Spinning 🌀 Norbert + 2 More Areas Watched — Warm Water, Rare Fish Still Incoming

The Eastern Pacific is not done yet.

As of Friday afternoon, September 11, Tropical Storm Norbert is already spinning well out in open water — about 1,110 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja and nearly 2,000 miles east of Hilo. Winds are near 65 mph, and the National Hurricane Center says it could become a hurricane this weekend while it keeps heading west to west-northwest. That track keeps it far from our beaches.

Behind it, two more areas are on the board:

• EP97, a broad low several hundred miles southwest of southwestern Mexico. Showers and thunderstorms are getting better organized. Odds sit at 50% of becoming a tropical depression in the next 48 hours and 90% over seven days. A depression is expected late this weekend or early next week, also moving generally west-northwest to west.

• A weaker trough southeast of the Hawaiian Islands, only 20% over both 48 hours and seven days. Still worth watching if you have friends or family in Hawaii.

There is no imminent threat to California or Hawaii. It is too early to lock in exact strength or tracks. That said, even storms that stay way offshore can send long-period swell into our coast — bigger waves, nasty rip currents, and extra punch on the sand. If you are in the surf, on a kayak, or walking the jetty with the kids, treat the water with respect and keep an eye on the next few forecast packages.

Now the part that matters to the Friedman Adventures family.

These systems help shove warm water and warm-water life up the line. That is a big reason this season has been so wild in Southern California. We have already seen rare and “how did that get here?” catches, and there is still more to come if this pattern holds: manta rays, whale sharks, pompano, dorado, hammerheads, marlin, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, and yes — Sierra mackerel in the surf. Sport fishermen, this is why you stay ready. The ocean is mixing, the bait is moving, and the game fish are riding that warm push.

Stay safe. Stay smart. Stay excited.

TOMORROW — Saturday, September 12, 2026: End-of-summer Surf Fishing Festival, 9 a.m. to noon, Anderson St. and PCH, Sunset Beach. Noon raffle. Park across PCH and support Big Fish Bait & Tackle in Seal Beach.

Check http://friedmanadventures.com for Captain’s audios, landing and boat counts, bait availability, Friedman Adventures AI, Kids Corner, and a lot more.

God bless, and we will see you on the sand.

— Phil

Friedman Adventures

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