Santa Ana River Surf Launch

[hage0429]

Does anyone ever surf launch near the Santa Ana river in Newport? I've been seeing more and more boats out in that direction lately and would like to try someplace new but it would be a long haul to paddle down there from the jetty.

The surf usually hits hard enough along the peninsula that I haven't been excited about launching just anywhere. It seems like the current of the "river" sometimes knocks the surf down a bit but I'm not sure if it would add other complications to launching.

Thought I'd check and see if anyone on here has ever done it. Also I'm curious if anyone knows what is being targeted out there; I know there is an artificial reef somewhere in that direction that people target rockfish on in the winter but I find it hard to believe that there are 20 boats out there fishing rockfish with all the other options available right now.

Thanks in advance for the feedback, if anyone is interested in trying it with me let me know!