I normally launch or CGS or by 15 street if you can find parking. For CGS, you need to get there by 7am.
There's often too much traffic near the bait barge, as you'll end up getting the wake from larger boats interfering with your drop-shotting. It's best to head north or south outside of the harbor once you clear the jetties.
There's decent fishing by the kelp beds to the south, otherwise, head out with a group to the drop-off for the Rockies... Most of the local Newport boats drift the flats from 1/2 mile west of HB Pier. If the swells are more than 3 feet, you're looking at possibly losing your breakfast

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