Yes Gerri,you want drain holes in the hard basket because a wave can knock you over if the basket fills with water.This is especially important when fishing from jettys.Most hard baskets have cones built in then to keep the line coils separated but soft baskets lack these.This is one of their biggest drawbacks.The soft baskets are also a bad choice for the surf as wave hitting them will tangle the line.I understand your frustration with the waves but its a learning experience.Try standing sideways to the waves and casting at an angle to the waves instead of straight toward them.I find casting this way gives my fly more drift time and less casting hassles.