Newport Harbor Newbie

[ugly]

Hi All,

I'm relatively new to the forums, and only a year or so into yak fishing. I don't typically fish within marinas but I am taking a friend out on saturday to newport harbor and he's not comfortable going outside.

I typically fish out of Dana Point and Long Beach, but have only fished newport between the piers (trying for halibut), and have only noticed a ton of eel grass within the harbor (although i haven't seen much of it since i launch close to the exit) and was curious if halibut/bottom trolling is productive further into the harbor? I plan on using live bait primarily but again, worried about getting tied up in eel grass, and end up giving my friend a bad 'first trip out' by staying in the harbor.

I wouldn't typically ask for people's hot spots, but if anyone can give me suggestions (PMs if you'd prefer) on where its possible to land legal halibut within the harbor it'd be much appreciated. And if that's not really possible, anywhere in the harbor its possible to get lots of hits.

Thanks in advance for helping the new guy out.

Sean