Not sure if you're going to be doing it a lot... but one of the things I'll never go to the surf without is a stripping basket (reiterate Skip's post).

You can make one for <$10... buy a dishwashing tub, and a belt. cut slots in tub, feed belt through... done.

I use an intermediate line for most, if not all of my beach fishing.

Oh... and strip your fly all the way to the beach... if you're going for stripers, you'll be surprised how close they can get in the surf.